I know I've been changed

I've been changed! I know I have...let me tell you how I know.

I've been working on my relationship with God. I've been not only reading the bible more, but studying the bible; really trying to understand and grasp what God has for me. There are things that I try to abstain from because I know that God has a plan for me and all he wants me to do is to follow Him. I've been following so many of the wrong things in life for so long, it's time for me to follow God.

It's funny that once you try to live your life for God, the devil really will tempt you and try to make you sway from your course. For example, I've been getting my finances in order and working on reducing my debt.

So what happens - a rock breaks my window that I have to replace. What do I do? Do I curse and give up? No!!! I get the window fixed and praise God that I had the money to do it without having to borrow from someone else.

What else happens? Tax-free weekend! Time to shop - I love to shop and now theoretically I can save money because it's tax-free weekend. Do I shop? No!! I've got a plan and I'm sticking to it.

There was another situation with a friend that I felt was disrespecting me. I had planned on confronting this person for the wrong I felt they did. I had it all planned out...it was going to be good. Then a funny thing called Bible Study happened. We talked about conflict. How appropriate. Have you ever had that feeling in bible study or in church that the pastor is talking to you? I felt this way, only I was hoping that he was talking to the chick behind me :)
Anyway...I knew that God was working through my Pastor and letting me know, "Hey!! You know that's not what you should be doing". Pastor gave the example of how women ask God to find them a husband. They list all the characteristics that they're looking for and say, "I'm gonna turn it over to God". Then, they decide that they're going to help God by wearing a skirt with a slit up to there - just so that when that man finds her, he'll know what he's getting!! He said, "God doesn't need your help!!"

I knew it and didn't want to admit it. I know that God doesn't want me acting that way, and He knew He needed me to hear it. I heard it. I heard Him. I knew that what I had planned to do was wrong. At that moment, all I could do was thank Him. Thank Him for putting me in Bible Study that night, Thank Him for making my mind clear to hear His words, Thank Him for knowing that even though I might slip - I can always turn to Him for help.

I went home that night excited. I called my best friend and told her what happened and she asked me what I was going to do. I said I wasn't going to do anything. God will take care of it, God will show me what to do. It's not up to me, it's up to Him.

As far as the disrespectful friend - that's not up to me anymore. God is going to handle that situation. All I can do is continue to be the best person, the best mother, the best worker, the best Christian that I know how to be. All I can work on is me. I can't change other people, I can't influence other people to do what I want them to do...it's up to them to hear what God wants them to do.

Vintage Me >.<