Gratitude Challange: Days 5 & 6 - Knowledge & Memories

Books from the completion of my undergrad degree at George Fox University.

Ritchie cousins circa 1986 or so at Grandma & Grandad's house - amazing memories!

Moments

30 Photos That Capture the Best Moment's of People's Lives (clicky)


These are wonderful.  Joy in picture form. And I love how so many of them aren't necessarily all about them (meaning the person who tweeted them) but about the people they love.  

If I were choosing my top moments (so far) they would be meeting my precious niece seven years ago and the day this past December when I (FINALLY) graduated from college.  

Isn't she adorable?

 

 

Finally got that B.A.!

Here's hoping there are more moments like those people posted.  Proposal, marriage, babies, graduating kids, time spent with grandchildren...


What would be your best moment?

Are you a jaywalker?

My most recent class for school (I am 6 months out on a BA in Behavioral and Social Sciences from George Fox University) was a course on Addiction Disorders. One of our assignments was to either visit a local treatment facility or attend a 12 step (or equivalent) meeting in the area and write a short paper about what we see, hear, feel during the observation. I chose to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in NE Portland with a couple of other class mates.

What an amazing experience. It was so encouraging to see these strong people taking this step, making this commitment to themselves and their families. There was such a feeling of hope and courage in the room, the stories shared were touching and insightful - I am so thankful to have had the experience. The leader shared a story or parable at one point in the meeting that is called "The Jaywalker" and can be found on page 37 of what AA calls the 'Big Book.'

This parable really touched me and I could see where many of us (if not all of us in some way) have experienced a time where we looked at our choices or our actions and recognized how crazy, destructive or emotionally damaged they have been. I believe we all have something to learn and reflect on from this story, my challenge to you is to read and honestly reflect on how this parable might resemble your actions in some form and the ways you can make a positive change for the future.



"Our behavior is as absurd and incomprehensible with respect to the first drink as that of an individual with a passion, say, for jay-walking. He gets a thrill out of skipping in front of fast-moving vehicles. He enjoys himself for a few years in spite of friendly warnings. Up to this point you would label him as a foolish chap having queer ideas of fun. Luck then deserts him and he is slightly injured several times in succession. You would expect him, if he were normal, to cut it out. Presently he is hit again and this time has a fractured skull. Within a week after leaving the hospital a fast-moving trolley car breaks his arm. He tells you he has decided to stop jay-walking for good, but in a few weeks he breaks both legs."

"On through the years this conduct continues, accompanied by his continual promises to be careful or to keep off the streets altogether. Finally, he can no longer work, his wife gets a divorce and he is held up to ridicule. He tries every known means to get the jaywalking idea out of his head. He shuts himself up in an asylum, hoping to mend his ways. But the day he comes out he races in front of a fire engine, which breaks his back. Such a man would be crazy, wouldn't he?"

"You may think our illustration is too ridiculous. But is it? We, who have been through the wringer, have to admit if we substituted alcoholism or any addiction for jay-walking, the illustration would fit exactly. However intelligent we may have been in other respects, where alcohol has been involved, we have been strangely insane. It's strong language but isn't it true?"

Tuesday People*

I am so thankful I ‘manned up’ and took a chance in going back to school.  The thought of doing so was scary as hell considering my previous college debacle.

My first college experience was a time when I was at my worst.  I was so far down the rabbit hole, sunk in a pit of depression, hopelessness, lack of self-worth, etc. that I couldn’t cope with everyday life, let alone school.  I barely passed my classes, cut myself off from all but a few select friends and holed myself up from the world.  This depression greatly affected my faith as well, when your self-worth is so low you certainly don’t feel worthy of God’s love and you feel like no one cares about you, even our Heavenly Father. 

Over the years as my mental health has gotten somewhat better my faith has gradually come back and I have once again found comfort in the promise of Christ’s love.  It has, however, been the encouragement, insight and faith of the amazing group of ladies that make up my cohort at George Fox University that has truly encouraged me to open myself up again to God’s love.   From in class prayer on occasions when numerous ladies need a little bit of help to the daily encouragement and support found on our little Facebook group, I have never been a part of something where there is such a shared feeling of God’s love on a personal level and I am so thankful to be part of this amazing group of ladies. 

• You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8)

• You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

• Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)

So here’s to my Tuesday People:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

 

*(read Tuesday's With Morrie - it will change your life)