Friends are Awesome :-) Rocky Road

Hey all,

It's raining - and my only goal for the day (besides keeping the 4 little ones alive - so far so good! Yeay!) is to get some washing done, as these rainy days are making it difficult to keep the wardrobe full!

That's the tough thing about minimising possessions, is when you have a couple of constant rainy days and no chance to wash n dry on the line - you suddenly have no underwear and a family of 6 sharing the one towel! Ewww!!

And so, as I wait for another load to finish washing, before I take me and my book to the laundromat, I wanted to reflect on the highlight of my day so far which is talking to a friend on the phone. I don't often call people, I am more of a texter, but you sure can fit a lot more in right??

I think this is why I love prayer so much. And writing. It really is good to get out in words what has been happening up in the mind - and my mind has really been in overdrive for some time.

So, when my friend asked 'How's life' this morning (It's been a while since we've caught up!) it gave me a chance to be real and share what God is doing in me while walking through the valley this year so far.

Sure, I could of said 'yeah great, everything is fine!' and she would know no different, but how much greater to share what we are truly struggling with and drudging through and how God is working. She may have had a shortcut for me to get through the mess or even be struggling with something similar and helped me feel less lonely.

I love being transparent with people. Sometimes I think this could be a bad thing though, as I feel I talk or share too much perhaps? Do I? Is this why people avoid me??

Someone shared with me recently I had put a fear of 'giving birth' in them after hearing about my birth story. I was surprised! My 4 have all been 'good' births to others I've heard about - but didn't think it right to share that with this childless person at that time....ha ha!

But should I not be so transparent?? Since my renewed passion in Christ - I've cared less about what others think of me or my reputation. Is this a bad thing? Do I shoot myself in the foot by sharing that I'm Imperfect?

Seriously - we are all human, we all make mistakes, but I would like to think you won't judge me as 'unworthy' by my past or struggles - just as I won't judge you - as long as we have learnt and moved on from these mistakes right? We are really only answerable to One right??

What better way to encourage another by sharing "Yeah, I use to do *insert hidden past here* but God showed me and convicted me and I have since been growing" How could we then hold their reputation against them?? How discouraging to keep beating the person with their sins and dragging them down....

Some lyrics to match what I'm trying to say - thanks NewWorldSon. 'Rocky Road'
Man, I love lyrics :-)

There's a road, it's a rocky road, lined with sticks and stones.

and it's a road, where the thistle grows, and the freeway never goes, 
But even though this road is long, everybody's welcome on, this rocky road
Now were all, doing the best we can, we hurt from head to toe

and we fall, short of heavens plan, we stumble as we go

but even when we all done wrong, everybody's welcome on, this rocky road
Casting stones, even though were all sinners. Pointing fingers and calling out names

the rocky road, there ain't no-one among us, Without blame, on the rocky road
How can I, with this log in my eye, count your spots and scars?

Oh Why, why should I even try, to put you behind bars

When I need Your love to carry on, we gotta help each other along, this rocky road...

Washing done - I'm outta here! Have a great day fellow Rocky Road travellers! May you also be blessed with a friend to lighten your load xoxo

xKelly