Hi Pastor John,
The meetings on our last meeting weekend were so good to me. Once again, I’m astounded at how the meetings match up with my life. In particular what was so perfect for me, was all of what was said about making right choices, getting our own way, and then looking back in 6 months at the decisions you’ve made, and then you’re in a mess.
Recently I was saved from a potential mess. There was a situation that came up where I could have pushed some, and then a little bit more, and possibly gotten my own way in something which would have been very bad. And I was really of the mind to push and get my own way. But thankfully an elder pointed out to me the right choice in that situation. I really didn’t want to do what was advised, but I knew in my heart that she was right, and so I listened. I followed through with the right choice and did what my elder said, and did not push to get my own way. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to where I could look back and see what a mess I could have gotten in to, and that I was spared from a bad situation. It feels completely different now, and I am so thankful that in 6 months time I won’t have to look back in a mess at the wrong decisions I made. It feels good to have made the right choice, and it feels like a bit of victory, actually. And I’m thankful for feeling safe. That’s the underlying feeling – I feel saved, and I feel relieved. I know I made the right choice.
I’m also thankful for my elders. If I did not have an elder to go to, I believe I would not have figured out what the right decision should have been, in that particular situation, so I’m thankful for elders, too. This is really the one time I’ve seen for myself what a blessing elders are, and what protection and safety they provide – if we will just go to them, be open with them, and listen. Even if what they say is not what you think you want.
Jenny