The Investigation...

Ok...so last night I started a reflective look into myself. I've never been one that's good with relationships - and realize I'm probably old enough now to get down to business & figure it out. Looking back into my past may prove to be a little unnerving - but I want to be a better person for my family - my husband, my children, my parents, my sister...all those whom I love.
So here goes...
I ran from relationships when I was little. I was constantly busy growing up - dance lessons, baton lessons, voice lessons, drama group, rehearsals...the list was exhaustive & endless. It was the best of times - it was the worst of times. (I will FOREVER be grateful to my wonderful parents who allowed me to do all the things i loved growing up. Heck, they carpooled me everywhere!) While I absolutely LOVED all the creative activities I was involved in...it also gave me a great opportunity to hide behind masks. This was something I became VERY good at. And I probably have some traces of this character flaw still buried deep within. I've also learned it was a way to hide any pain that I might be experiencing. Ok, I'll be transparent. Yes, there was pain within the four walls of my childhood home. (I'm not sure there's anyone out there who could honestly say there was no painful experiences in their homes while growing up.) I've decided there IS NO SUCH THING as a functional family. We are ALL dysfunctional - We have ALL SINNED and fall short of the glory of God. And better still - God loves us JUST THE WAY WE ARE. I heard something just this past weekend...it was a reminder of something I'd heard long ago...and God needed me to hear it again...let it seep into my bones deeply. God doesn't see the ugly, dirty, sin-filled 'me' when He looks upon me. HE sees the ONE who took my place (Jesus)...the PERFECT one, my REDEEMER. And this is all because Jesus took on my filth/sin at the cross & in exchange He freely gave me His unblemished record. Wow. Mind-boggling, isn't it?!

I will continue my investigation on yet another day...

FEAR NOT, FOR I(GOD) HAVE REDEEMED YOU(enter your name here); I(GOD) HAVE CALLED YOU BY YOUR NAME; YOU ARE MINE(GOD). (Isaiah 43:1)

keep the faith, dear friend.
~karen

Welcoming the night...

Ahhhh...there's nothing quite like a long bath in the quiet of the evening! It's been a busy, but wonderful, weekend in the lives of the klumpps is kansas. There's been so much that has happened - I can't even remember Friday night! I know it involved baking & decorating cookies!!! (3 dozen 'crabbies' - no, not from the world of Sponge Bob - but for a good friend & fellow church member attending a fellowship of friends. Check out the pics on my facebook account.)

The TV is on and I'm half-way listening to a show about two outdoorsmen trying to survive the great outdoors. They're talking about being 'connected'...and it has me pondering...what about being connected? What is being connected? Connected to my Creator? Connected to my husband? Connected to my family? (children, parents, siblings) Wow...that's alot of connections. And to be truthful & transparent...I'm not very good with connections. In fact, I'm pretty disconnected when it comes to relationships. This has led me to begin an internal investigation on relationships and why I'm so bad with them. My investigation begins with thinking about my Creator. HE's the Author of relationships. HE's perfect with relationships...and He's going to help me understand 'me' and get better at it. I will trust HIM because HE loves me.
(Thank you, Stephen Fryrear - San Antonio, TX - and beautiful wife, Carleigh...for reminding me this weekend just how much "God Loves Me." I will forever be singing your song.)

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD - HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. THAT WHOSOEVER WOULD BELIEVE IN HIM WOULD NOT PERISH...BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. (John 3:16)

keep the faith, dear friend.
~karen