7 years.... and I am still here

The other day was the 7 year mark of when I first moved to San Luis Obispo. Time has gone by quickly. I look back one year ago when I then moved to San Diego, against everyone's advice, and 4 months later my heart had had enough and moved back home. While it has come with trials and life altering events.... I don't think I would change a thing.... well for the most part. Of course, had I not left in the first place I would probably still be working at Coffee Bean in Pismo, and that's probably the only high light. I don't know how long I would have stuck it out at a spiritually dead church that I came to serve at for a year and that was the only commitment I had made, and I had already had plans to go back to Oak Park where things were a lot healthier. I probably should have done it sooner, but hey..... lesson learned. Some great friendships have emerged, some have even strengthened more, and some have fizzled.

This past Sunday was the 2nd week in our series "Summer of Love". This week it was Love Bears All Things. It dealt with reconciling and loving those who are not easy to love. We all have people like that-- those not easy to love. And we have pride. I know I do. I will always apologize if I know I messed up, but you know... when I am not sorry.... I am getting more and more defensive of my stance. Will it matter in a week? Or in a month? Why waste the energy when there is so much more in life to live for? I will always remember the conversation I had with Mike Gunderson a few weeks back when I was working on things at church (Mike Gunderson is our lead pastor). He said if at all possible to live at peace with all men. But there will be times, when there is no possibility... whether the other person choses to not forgive, or they refuse reconciliation.... but on our end we are to do what we can and love as Christ does. I think this has become a matter of perspective and we forget that GOD IS LOVE. We forget that love is patient and kind. We forget that it does not keep record of wrongs. We forget that it does not take offense. We say we love and forgive... but when that next fight ensues.... the whole history comes back up. So much for forgiveness. I am definitely very guilt of this. So, yesterday was a good reminder of how to love, how to forgive, and how to reconcile. Reconciliation won't always equal restoration, but the relationship of being brothers and sisters in Christ is restored.

Prayer for the week: the job interview I had last week went very well, so prayer for its outcome. It is in the same town I live in and a great opportunity.
Also, prayer for finances. Prayer for my family through some difficult cirsumstances. For "LOVE TO BEAR ALL THINGS" to really become alive this week for them.