kickin' and screamin'

Gees. I've always had this problem of a little thing I like to call.....tah-dah, Self-discipline. Thus, I had hoped to write something I was thankful for daily, but I have not. This does not conclude that I am not overwhelmingly thankful, but simply that the Father lavishes his blessing on me that I become gorged with them and am so exhausted that I forget that I must take the time to remember and rejoice in them.
Well that being said. I am thankful for friendships. Okay now before you stop reading listen for a minute. Real friendships. The ones who sit across from you in Mexican restaurants and tell you that they know you aren't perfect and never thought you were and are gonna still love you. The ones who push you just a little outside your comfort zone because they really like you and don't care who knows about it. The ones who ask you the hard questions because they care more about the Father's glory than about my own comfort. Cause a little secret? They know I will only truly be in His comfort if I delight myself in Him and His desires. The human spirit amazes me. And the Lord oh so gently reminds me how quickly I can slip back into thinking that I have the position to judge. I know, I know this might sound ridiculous but sometimes I get overwhelmed by the hurt I see. (Now don't get me wrong, my flesh gets the best of me a lot of the time and I get really impatient with people.)
For example, I work with this girl....at some place...in some town. And well, she's hurting. She shovels herself out to any and all men that might give her some attention. She's angry I can tell. She lies. She doesn't like me for one reason or the other. And frankly that really gets under my skin. But my brother asked me the other day if I was reaching out to her. Loving her. And I had to say I wasn't. I was letting that creepy little beast of pride crawl back in. The Lord used that one question to remind my spirit that I am that girl I work with, or at least I used to be. All alone. Searching. Reaching for anything that might make that deep nagging go away. I am so thankful to be reminded that the more someone screams, the more they are hurting. No matter how bothersome I might in my selfish world think those screams are...they are cries of someone. A sinner. Just like me. Wanting a savior and perhaps not know Him.