I am the wife of a soldier, and the mother of two little ones (ages 3 and 1). I am passionate about my God, my family, and my country. I chose the title for my blog because I started it around the time that we found out my husband would be going to Iraq. I am so proud of his service to our country. Also I am constantly striveing to become more like christ. Hence the title "passionate patriot conforming to 'His' image.
I will be ordering some more Thoene books to read
Mar. 4, 2008~ Is God really all we need? ~
My last post got me to thinking about how much we need each other, and some other lonely times in my past.
Until my senior year of college, I never had what one would call a close friend. I hung out with other kids, but I never felt like I could really open up to them, or trust them. I never felt like I was unconditionally loved by them to the point that I could let go and be myself.
During those long years of loneliness, I would spend hours pouring my heart out to God. He was the only person in my life that really knew me. Even though God was everything to me, he was my source, I still longed for human companionship.
I remember one day confessing my loneliness to another christian lady, and instead of being embraced and befriended, I was told that I shouldn't be lonely, because God is all I need. I remember thinking, "what is wrong with me?" "I must not be seeking God enough, because if God is all I need, then if I seek him enough I shouldn't feel lonely."
Years later I look back and think how wrong all that was. Yes we need God, and yes he should be our source for everything. He should be the one we always run to, but he made us to need each other.
If he meant us to go through life with no close contacts, then he would not have put all those verses in the bible about fellowship.
verses like the one that says two are better than one for they get a better return. If one falls down the other can pick him up, but pity the one who when he falls has no one to pick him up.
Or all the verses in the bible telling us not to forsake the gathering together of the saints. This doesn't mean come to church hear a sermon and go home. God knew that we need the fellowship of other believers to spur us on. He created us for fellowship.
Or the verses in the bible that say to love the Lord your God with all your heart soul mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Or the verses that say that we are the body of Christ.
There should be no loneliness in a Christians heart, but not because we tell them that God is all they need and then walk away.
There should be no loneliness in a Christians heart, because we as the body of Christ should be his hands extended to embrace one another when they are struggling.
If you read my last post, you will see were I have recently been embraced by the body of Christ, and there are not words powerful enough to express how much it has meant to me.
Lord let me in turn be a blessing to others as I am blessed. Let your love flow through me.
I wish that we lived closer...I know we'd be great friends! You are so right in your post, if God was all we needed, he wouldn't have created Eve for Adam!
You are so right about us needing one another. God made us to be relational people. Anyone who says they don't need friends, is a very lonely person.
God works through people. He even says in His word that everything we go through is to help those who come behind us. He wants us to help one another! And, as you said - God wants us to be His arms, wrapping around those that need Him.
And to address your previous post - it's amazing how many people would love to help, if only we would voice our need. Sometimes we are reluctant, but there are times when we really need a helping hand.
I'm blessed to know that your friends pulled through for you. If I were close to you (location), I'd love to give you the break you deserve. Instead, I'm lifting you and your husband up to the Lord right now.
