This week has been a really neat week.. i think probably because my small group was praying for me this week. I love them, sigh. Anyways, I think God has been slowly peeling away layers and formations I've constructed where I find my acceptance in. What a relief, to come out of a place where I have to perform or do the right things to earn other's acceptance, including God. It's kind of sticky and dark in there. He's guiding me into a place of freedom in relationship!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life has set me free from the law of sin and death.

For example, last night, I was all agitated and upset over something small. I was in a bad mood, and not treating Matt the best. So, I was trying to talk with God about it, and in a way, asking him to "fix" me. Then he said, "Moriah, I like you even when you're in a bad mood." Hehe! I laughed at that with him. And then I felt like I didn't have to "fix" my heart, but just give it to him again. Just in little things like that, it just seems like he's taken off a big barrier between us. The one where I always feel like maybe I'm not doing something right, and I need to fix that before I come to him. Yay. :) Love you xanga-ers!!

Having an older friend is the best...

I got to hang out with my friend Cindy who is older and generally awesome yesterday. She gave me some really good life wisdom. I can't remember exactly how she said it, but she said that you don't always have to go by what your emotions are telling you to do. For example, when you don't feel like doing a loving action towards someone, that doesn't mean you have to let your emotions make you not do it. Isn't she the best? Y'all would like her...

I remember Melanie and I were teasing one of her friends a few years ago about getting more excited about a lady with grey hair than a cute guy.. haha. Now I can see why!

(Did I mention I also have a really cute/handsome husband?)

I'm getting excited about our night watch at AHOP here in a little while. :)

Well, this started out as a poem, but turned into a children's story! Let me know what you think :)

Little Heart was new to the neighborhood. She had just bought her very own cozy house. While she was decorating her new place, she thought, “I will leave all the doors open and all the windows up for all of my neighbors to come over. Then, my friends, Happiness and Joy will surely come and stay as long as they want!” She laughed with glee at the thought of it. In the next couple of days, all of her friends did come. They brought beautiful gifts, treasures, and tasty food. Little Heart had such a great time with them. However, unexpected guests came over, as well. Sometimes, Pain came in the night and stole some of the precious gifts that Happiness and Joy had given her. Sadness unexpectedly showed up and stayed much too long, leaving a great mess to clean.

The thing was, Little Heart couldn’t tell which visitors would show up, or when. Often, Sadness came over when Little Heart was expecting a visit from Happiness. Joy’s stays seemed much too short. Then one day, after Little Heart woke up to find that Pain had stolen from her in the middle of the night again, she said, “I know. I will close my house to everyone. I have strong Never locks that will close these doors for good, and sturdy Always windows coverings that will last a lifetime. Then, my house will always be fine and neat, and Pain and Sadness will not get in again.

And no one did get in. The weeks and months passed by, and fewer and fewer visitors knocked on Little Heart’s door, or peeked through her window. Inside, things were going fine, and the house was always neat. However, no light came in so she could hardly see, and always seemed to bump into things around the house. Also, her house seemed to grow colder and colder no matter how hard she tried to warm it up.

One morning, after one especially cold winter night, Little Heart heard a knock on the door. She waited, then heard another.
“What is it you want?” Little Heart moaned from her couch.
“I want you to open up, Little Heart.”
Little Heart knew the voice. It was that of her dearest, most faithful friend, Love. She stood up to answer, yet quickly remembered why she had locked up the house in the first place.
“How can I open the door?” she replied, “Pain and Sadness will surely come. Their stays are much too hard for me to bear.”
She looked through the peephole, then sighed as she leaned on the door.
“I know it is hard for you when they come, Little Heart," Love said, "but if you let me, I will stay with you whenever you would like. Even when they come.” Love said.
“Well, that is nice... but I’m really doing fine in here by myself. Things are always the same, so I know just what to expect, you know?”
Love did not respond. She knew deep down that she was not doing just fine. Love’s presence stirred up the desires she had often felt in the cold, dark house to be with friends again. She also longed for her house to be filled with warmth and light like it once was.
“Well, if I did open the door, would you really come be with me whenever I wanted?” Little Heart asked, looking again through her peephole into Love’s face.
“I promise” Love said with a gentle smile.
“You know, I do miss you and my friends so much, and it is getting so cold in here…”
Her heart sank when she remembered. “These locks are Never and Always brand!” she said. “They’re guaranteed to never open the doors, and always keep the windows shut. I don’t know how I will ever open them.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Love chuckled, “I have the key. Let’s open the door together.”
“Really? Well, Okay. Let’s do it!” Little Heart said.

Love and Little Heart opened the door. She shielded her eye from the very bright light, and gave Love a hug. Then, she saw Happiness and Joy sneak out from just around the corner behind Love! Together, they unlocked every door, and pulled up the shades on every window in the house. Then, they all sat down to eat come cookies Joy had brought over with her. They talked and laughed all night. One time, Little Heart looked out the window to see if Pain and Sadness were nearby. Then, she remembered. Whatever happened, she would always have one very special guest, Love.