thankful.

i am thankful for community.  specifically the community of my women's study at church.  perhaps, even more so, the generosity of the Lord to ordain and align such a wonderful, diverse group of women to be vulnerable and honest and rotten with.

i like to think that the Lord rejoices when we we take those divine appointments and people he's placed in our path, and use them as opportunities for fellowship, relationship building, and ultimately, healing within His body.

if that's the case, I would have to say that He was rejoicing tonight.

maybe it was just me, but it seemed like a lot of us really were eager to share.  mainly just about how dirty we are, but hey, at least we recognize that now.  and we're beginning to also see just how much He loves to make us clean.  how He desires for us to live without dissension or competition, but rather, evaluating everything in the light of Truth, and not striping our value from ourselves, or those we destroy with our eyes.  In fact, tonight's study wasn't even so much about not striping value, but rather, about restoring value.  to ourselves, and to those women we interact with and either feel inferior/superior to.

i'm thankful that the Lord gives us choice in the matter.  we can choose to lay down the sword.  we've got a big enough enemy to fight; there's no use fighting each other, too.

jesus, you are magnificent and merciful; you are holy and just.  you are faithful and true.  you are generous with your grace.  i am constantly finding ways to keep swimming in mud, and you are ever-so-patient and gentle as you cleanse me again.  Lord, purify our hearts and sanctify our thoughts.  let us establish our God-given confidence and dignity, and let no man, woman, or enemy tear it from us.  our security was settled on Calvary; it was bought for us, and given as a gift to us.  receive it.  help us to lay down the sword and receive it.  amen.