Today was a gorgeous day here in Ormond Beach, Florida. There isn’t much I can report except to feel a distinct closeness to our God that rises up with ever breathtaking crash of a jade blue wave. We are getting rain too, but it was more in our favor as the pending storm lent for some great weather all day as the sun hid behind the billowy clouds, playing peek-a-boo every now and again. The rain didn’t show until we shut the back door after a long lazy day.
We are now settling in to work on a 1000 piece puzzle that gives me a headache just by looking at the picture! 😉 But it’s great for us to use our minds, right? Anything to keep me from thinking about this ‘test’ God has put in my lap for Saturday. Oh, don’t be jealous of me as I write this entry…it seems God always has something in store for me around the corner from every ‘rest’. 🙂 The gift is that I recognize this now after so many years of having it take me aback and leaving me restless.
So, what’s the ‘test’? We are going to visit a friend of Neal’s that lives about 2 hours away somewhere here in Florida. On the outside looking in, it appears to be a very promising day of fun for the boys and a change of scenery for us all. The issue is one that hopefully doesn’t have to be an issue. I’ve only met this friend twice. However, each time we’ve met it always seems I’m being ‘challenged’ in regards to our choice of religion. We are both Christian. He is very active and devout in his non-denominational (I think it might be somewhat evangelical?) church…and you all know that I’m active and devout in my Catholic church. The first time we met I believe Neal made a comment about the fact that I ‘speak’ to teens and hence the conversation got started on the topics…then deeper to our beliefs…then quickly became a somewhat pompous goading on who was right and who was wrong which caused me to quickly walk away as I will not get hooked into such a fight. The second time we met I vowed (silently to myself) to stay clear from any ‘religious’ conversation. I do not have an issue with how he chooses to worship God. I am not out to make people become Catholic or to even convince others that Catholicism is the only way to go. Yet, I will be honest and only answer in truth when asked. 🙂 At any rate, somehow he managed to get the conversation there again and if it could be a light conversation with mutual respect then it wouldn’t be an issue for me. I have a close friend that is an agnostic and we have these conversations all the time and yet it is never threatening, only light-hearted but good, deep conversation. This was more like a battle and due to respecting Neal I excused myself.
So, it’s been at least two, maybe three, years since we’ve seen one another. We are going to their home on Saturday and he has asked that we attend their church with them that night. I have no problem going to his church (but I made sure Neal understood we were going to Mass on Sunday!!!). But I’d imagine you can all see that this is an obvious test for me. Maybe I’m failing now by even worrying and anticipating???
If you’ll throw up a prayer on my behalf that we can have a pleasant, enjoyable day and evening I’d greatly appreciate it!!! I’ve heard great things about his wife so I am looking forward to meeting a new friend.
As for tomorrow…we are headed to Blue Water Park (about an hour away) where they harbor a safe place for manatees and we can snorkel and tube. We are very excited!!
One final note…if you haven’t checked out Joseph Stanton’s update in a while, please do as it seems God is doing some AMAZING things for Joseph and the Stantons. It is just awesome to read every day how His hand is at work.
Blessings
Shannon