the real me
I- like so many who will read this blog- had the amazing and wonderful pleasure of listening to one of “my other sons” Garrett Best speak in chapel yesterday. As soon as Bro. Billy started introducing him- I started crying- I don’t really know all the reasons behind this- maybe because Bro. Billy is so sweet and sincere- maybe because of the incredible things that he was saying about Garrett- maybe because it suddenly hit me that Garrett would be leaving us soon. I would guess it could be a combination of all of these. Anyway, Garrett did a wonderful job- not just because he is such an amazing speaker-not just because his lesson was unique and full of wisdom- not just because he study so hard and work dilligently on his words- but mainly because of my knowing his heart. Garrett is one of those people in my life that is VERY honest to me about things- I love him for that. He has seen me at my very worst- he has lived in my home for awhile, he has eaten my horrible cooking and seen me with no make-up, he has seen me with Bible in hand and he has seen me with anger in heart- and yet- he has never walked away from me without me feeling uplifted and better and so thankful for his life and his love of people in general. Garrett is not perfect- there is only one who was- but Garrett strives to be as Christ and he is a true (in all cases) friend. But believe it or not this blog is not just about Garrett- :) it is about the things he said in his lesson yesterday- things I needed so much to hear. It moved me and touched my life in a way that I needed so much. It has been on my heart since I walked out the door to go back to work- it made me want to find that REAL me and be that person. It made me realize that God knows who I really am and because of that I do not need to pretend to bear fruit- I need to be someone who is what my heart knows I am and lives that way continually. I am a sinner. I also know that I can come home- that I can strive to work to be the real me and that God will forgive me and let me work again on trying to be who I should be- who I know I am in my heart and soul. I read last night I Corinthians 13:4-8- substituting my name everywhere the world love was-and yes, I felt ashamed. But thankfully I can be those things and I can be forgiven and start afresh being who I am.
Thank you Garrett for all the things you reminded me of and thanks be to our God for His love and for His forgiveness.
