Obstacles Of Friendship And Things Taken For Granted In Life

There are many blessings in life that are clearly seen and some that are in the open but go unnoticed.  Friends are an example of aspects in life that are precious yet forgotten.  Today I made it my mission to contact friends that I have spoken to but didn't always think of because I was caught up in myself or in the things that were in front of me.  I realize that a lot of people in my life have and are always there for me, but I still take them for granted and don't give them the tome they deserve. To those that I have and may yet do this to, I want to apologize.  I am human and sadly don't realize the blessings and love that surrounds me.  I do this also to my family and it was when my mother beat stage 3-C breast cancer that I realized how much I take my family for granted as well.  This weighs heavy on my heart because I never know when I may lose someone that I love.  I could not imagine my life without those that are precious to me.  I know that sadly someday, any day, I could do just that and it breaks my heart.  I know I will have to find a way to push forward and be strong and that leads me to what else I take for granted.  Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  I take His blessings and love for granted daily when He rewards me with amazing friends and family.  I love all of you with all my heart and pray that you all join me in eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ.  This all being said, however, does not mean it is easy to be a friend, to be part of a family, or to be a follower and representation of Christ.  I am most guilty of all of these.  As a follower of Jesus, I fail at every turn and obstacle.  I get angry, I don't forgive enough, I don't love enough, I cuss like a sailor, and the list can go on for days.  I take His grace and love for granted and no matter how much I wish I can stop, I will always find myself falling short.  I am so thankful for His grace because without it I would be nothing.  I take Him for granted and He is the one who breathed life into my body and soul.  As a member of my family, I am extremely close to both of my parents, my two oldest sisters, and my older brother.  I have two awesome little nieces that inspire me to be a better man so that they may look up to me and see the great man I know I can become.  I do not, at this point in time, get along with a lot of my family on my father's side and very few problems with some family on my mother's side.  I look at this with great anger and hate, but I want to forgive and let it go and that is one of the hardest things for me to do.  I am the kind of man that when someone wrongs me, I cut them off and out of my life.  To do this to family is just wrong.  I take having a family in itself for granted when there are children who don't have families and people whose families don't even accept them.  I even take my truest friends for granted as if I am entitled to have them.  Those who stuck with me in the most challenging times and in the darkest times in my life.  I just seem to forget about them and not go out of my way for them or any of my friends.  This is something I am continually working on to change daily.  Right now I know of a few people fighting, some of which I am very close with, and I am watching a rift form between other friends and it is dismaying.  I don't and may never understand why and how people act or treat each other in the ways they do.  I know I have no power to change this and I also know that I must not only pray for them all, but pray for those in the center of this situation.  This, personally speaking, truly bothers me and becomes an obstacle in my friendship with many of those involved.  I know that I should step away, but I am the "Hero" personality and want to help everyone which is not going to happen in this case.  I leave you all with these words however...Choose your paths in life wisely, choose your friends, and most of all be yourselves.  Do not let the ways of the world change you and please do not let what others think sway you from a true, just, and righteous path.  Greed can bring you much misery and grief so don't let it be the God in your life, rather behold the things that you take for granted on a daily basis and enjoy them.  Be grateful to have a merciful, loving, graceful God always and revel in that knowledge.  Cherish your God, Jesus Christ, most of all, cherish your family always, and cherish your friends because ladies and gentleman no relationship will last forever.  The only one that will is one with God, but all others can end with no notice and at any second.  Christ loves all of you and I love you all as well.  Keep these words in mind.  Until next time...stay safe and God bless!

The Tide Of Two Wars

In times of great despair within a person, state, country, and world things that are unexpected occur.  These things are seen as impossible and one begins to question "how? Why me?" What we forget is that we are in a corrupt and fallen world and many negative things will attribute to the despair of many.  I find myself on two war fronts at this point in time of my life.  I find myself fighting the war between family members of opposite sides and beliefs as well as fighting an internal war waging between my faith and my flesh or emotion.  These battles are constant and they are extremely draining me mentally, emotionally, and physically.