Conversations

Yesterday, I was spending time in Promises catching up on a Bible study I'm involved in.  I glanced over at another table and saw a young(er) friend I hadn't seen in a while.  She came over and we chatted, briefly, about life.  We agreed, both being single women, that the availability of eligible bachelors in our town is sorely lacking (key word: eligible).  Not that we are hunting husbands, but more that many of our friends are married with children and we feel left out at times.  Not that marriage solves all problems, or that raising children is always easy.  We're not that naive.  But, we agreed that, sometimes, it would be nice to have companionship.  I told my friend about my recent struggles, and that God is working on my heart in this time.  He may not be providing tangible companionship, but He deepening my relationship with Him.  That's really all that matters, isn't it??
A few minutes after we talked, our worship pastor came in, and I told him about the frustrations I had on Sunday with the soundboard.  He was more than gracious and encouraging, and as the conversation ended on a rather good note.  Sure, it was humbling to admit that I missed a key setting which caused problems during the message--two out of three times.  I learned a long time ago, though, that it is far better to humble myself and admit mistakes than to carry the burden of messing up then lying to save face. 
Today, during my daily walk, a friend and I entered what was probably the best conversation we've had in quite a while.  We talked about the Holy Spirit and how many churches lean far to one end of the spectrum when discussing Him and moving in His guidance.  On one end, you have the naysayers who wouldn't recognize the Holy Spirit if He showed up; and on the other, you have churches who focus so much on the Spirit they would scare Him away.  We talked about the need for balance.  We talked about situations we had been in that caused us discomfort.  We gloried that God, in His sovereignty, has led us both to where we are today, shaping and molding us through good and bad, and that He will use all things for His glory.
And tonight, I had the opportunity to mix it up on the board for a different team.  The powerpoint person was gone, and my arms aren't long enough to reach both the soundboard and computer, so one of the female vocalists came back to run powerpoint.  She is the wife of one of our pastors, and while we have a decent "hi, how are ya?" relationship, I really don't know her all that well.  We ended up having snippets of conversation during down time, going much deeper than I had expected. 

Think about the last few conversations you've had.  Who were they with?  What did you talk about?  What was the setting?  How did you feel afterward? 
What about your last conversation with God?  He is, after all, the one we should turn to first (though, it seems, we turn to Him after we've really messed things up).  He is the one with whom we converse everyday.  And remember, conversations go both ways.  We must LISTEN and speak; not just talk to Him, but listen for Him and watch to see what He shows us. 

Father, thank You for being a God Who cares about me, Who cares enough to listen to my rantings and still reveal Yourself to me when I finally shut up.  Thank You for Cait, Mike, Rachel, and Donna, and for the friendships that have been formed over the last few weeks and years.  And, thank You for allowing me the privilege of knowing You.