Back to Rochester

It's been awhile since I've written. The transition from Florida back to Minnesota was a little rough, but I survived :-) Tonight I was driving in a snowstorm returning home. Ick. Not looking forward to the MN winter.

It's been different living with Miriam and Charlie. From living in my own home to living with a young married couple, 2 cats, and a dog is definitely an adjustment. I can't be loud when I wake up (I'm usually the first up in the morning). It's just different having roommates. I am so thankful for Miriam and Charlie for taking me in and storing all my stuff at their house. Plus they are wonderful cooks and they feed me:-)

I was thinking about conflict again this week. How ugly it can be-especially in a relationship. I'm such a communicator that it drives me nuts when people avoid conflict-because it makes people uncomfortable. People in general never want to be in uncomfortable situations. Everyone want their life to be nice and easy. Life, however, brings all sorts of uncomfortable situations.

Men in general are very good in avoiding conflict-more than women. I realize that this is a very stereotypical statement and not all men are like that. I was just observing this week that the rationale for avoiding some conflict or uncomfortable situations stem from PRIDE. They (men and women) assume many things that may or may not be true about the situation and rely on their emotions to guide their decisions and not rationalized thinking.

For example: Let's say someone hurt me emotionally. Instead of coping and dealing with forgiveness, I harbor anger. I would try to avoid any opportunity of seeing the other person-even if the situation happened a long time ago. My pride would prevent me from finding any resolution to the situation.

Easier said than done. It is true. But life is so short. Why not live it full of joy, not in anger or bitterness? The times you chose to live in bitterness, fear, anger, and sorrow only takes the time away from living a life of Joy. For those who believe in Jesus--Life is meant to be lived in Joy, despite the troubles around us--despite what life throws at us. It's easy to blame God for our struggles, but I challenge you to cling to the Truth.

For those who don't believe and are reading this, I'm praying for you. Have you ever felt an emptiness inside? You try to fill it with relationships, material things, a successful career, and partying, but you never feel whole. I know that the emptiness is an emptiness for the awesome God of the Universe-who sent His Son to die on the cross for all the sins of man (since we were separated from God because of sin) because He loves us that much. When we confess our sins to Jesus, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Are you secure in your thoughts about where you will go after you die on this earth? Think about it.

My thoughts are everywhere tonight.