I'd Rather Have Teeth Pulled

A Past Look with a Future Hope
Yesterday, I met up with a good friend of mine. It was just after lunch, and I asked her if I could stop by her office. She started a new job this fall, and I was curious to how she liked it. She had a few minutes before having to head out to a school, so we chatted for a bit. I've known where her office is from the time she started a few months ago, but not until I walked through the heavy brown doors, did I realize the impact going there would have on me. The linoleum just inside the main entrance was the same - off white with light yellow throughout. Going a bit further, I realized the hall had been recarpeted with brown carpet - not appearing new, but different from the yellow stuff that once lined that hallway. And, if I really paid attention, I'm almost positive that same smell was in the air. My friend's office was just a few doors down on the left. I was eager to get into the small room, as I didn't have any particular odd attachment there. Once we entered her office, I was closer to being in my 'own' element again. I took a deep breath. I asked her about the job. What she enjoyed about it, and if there where things she needed to get familiarized with yet. It was interesting to hear of her daily routine. She then asked if anything was new with me. Basically, I said nothing was new, and yet everything was new. We joked around for a few minutes (all good visits have a tinge of that!), and I was on my way again. As we exited her office, I turned right instead of left, where I came from. "Hey, is there still a whirlpool in this room?" "What?" she replied. By then I was peering through the window of the next door down - the same heavy brown door that was there years ago (Don't fret, no one was in there; the room was pitch black:)) I proceeded to explain that there was once a whirlpool in there - I could see the linoleum that it was on, so obviously there was no whirlpool there anymore. "Oh really," she replied, probably either interested in what I was saying, or thinking I was a nut! (Maybe both! You know I love you, D!) "Yep, there was," I said. "Well, I'll see ya later." I turned to head to my car. My friend said good-bye and went into the supply room. I again took the 30 second walk into the past, down the hallway, and through those doors. 24 years ago. Taking that little stroll brought me back there in an instant. Ok, 24 years ago, I was 3, but that's when I began 'walking' that hallway. That's when I began 'swimming' in that whirlpool, and swinging on my tummy in a sort of hammock (I dispised that activity!). I rode my fist bike down that hallway. My feet were strapped to the peddles with Velcro to keep them from flying all over.

My oh my. Going back like that is a strange, strange feeling. It fills me with all kinds of emotions. Gratefulness because I know I had wonderful people who helped me get on my feet (literally! HEHE). Gratitude that mom and dad were there every step (ok, I’m not trying to be puny anymore :)) of the way. Relief that I'm this far. Anger that my parents and sibs had to deal with this, that we weren't 'normal.'

But, most of all, peace. Peace that I know now that it was, and is, all in God's timing. Whatever happened, is happening, or will happen in our lives is all a part of His good and perfect plan. If you're thinking that I am excited about all the events that have happened or will happen in my life, stop yourself (wait, actually keep going :)). I'm not. Would I rather not have this unique attachment to the old AEA 4 building? Absolutely. (I'm pretty sentimental - perhaps too sentimental - , but I could've stood to give this one up! I just wanted to see where my friend spent her days!) I am exited, however, to know this truth:

Future Glory

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

More Than Conquerors

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:18-39

Ok, so I I'd probably chose a 30 second walk over having teeth pulled, but there both uncomfortable. :P