You've got a friend in me

Today brings a challenge I've never known, watching two 1 year olds.  My friend's father is in the hospital, so her daughter is over for the day so that she can spend time at the hospital.  It is amazing how much more work two babies are than one.  As I went about my morning, I began to notice 2 things. 

#1 Together they seemed to find trouble much faster than one of them would alone.  I turned around for just a second and a glass was broken, turned around another second and they were both halfway up the stairs.  Alone they were pretty well behaved, but together they seemed more comfortable with their decision to disobey. 

#2 They express love and compassion without restraint.  At one point Kellan had fallen and was crying, seeing Kellan's tears Laynie broke into tears herself.  She couldn't help but cry with her friend in distress.  At another point Laynie was frustrated that she couldn't climb up on the toy she wanted and Kellan came running to try to help her.

So these observations about young friends brings 2  questions about the friends we keep as adults. 

#1 Do we surround ourselves with people who make us feel more comfortable with our disobedience to God or do we surround ourselves with people who bring out the best in us?

Proverbs 13:20 says He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Our friends can either bring out obedience to God or a compliance with sin.  Sometimes the familiar, comfortable choice is not the best.  Taking up our cross and following Christ was never about comfort, it was about obedience. 

#2 Have we chosen friends that will be there for us when we really need them?  Are our friends the kind that will weather the storm with us? 

Proverbs 17:17 says A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Our friends, like our character aren't really shown until we are going through a storm.  If these past few years has opened my eyes to anything it has been what a true friend looked like.  I was amazed at how my friends (you know who you are) have comforted me, brought out the best in me, challenged my thinking and loved me through it all.  I pray that the Lord will help me become the kind of friend that they have been to me. 

Now back to changing diapers and wiping faces. 

Day 1 of the new adventure

Had I been in this position (unemployed, with no job-ministry position on the near horizon) 5 years ago, I think i would have had a nervous breakdown.  But here today, on the first day of this new adventure in life, I find myself in a state of anticipation.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring. 


I feel more equipped to handle this new, but scary, adventure than every before.  There is nothing like being faced with trial after trial and dark day after dark day that will teach you more about trusting in Jesus.  Not just trusting Him when the road is smooth and faith comes easy, but trusting Him even when you can't see the road ahead.


Over the past 4 years, I have seen more dark days than I could have ever prepared for, but I have learned that through the storm, we become who we were meant to be. 


Lisa Bevere says, "Who you are in hard times is who you really are." 


Until I went through rough times, I didn't even know who I really was.  It wasn't until I saw the Aubrielle who is going through the storm, that I really discovered who I am. As I head into another season of uncertainty I prepare myself again to make even more discoveries about who I am, what drives me and my flaws that push me to Jesus.  This time as I step into a new season of transition, I have come to this realization, this isn't the end.  In fact, it's just the beginning.