Since we're on the subject on hilarious set-up mishaps I thought that I would just go ahead and share probably one of the most ridiculous things that happened to me.
background: a guy friend of mine saw me at a recent wedding and we were catching up and he asked the inevitable question- " so jenny, are you still single?" to which i wittingly replied, "of course i am, why wouldn't i be..." he then tells me that he has a guy at church that he thinks that i should meet. he tells me that he is tall and big (2 kind of important pre-req's for me) and a christian. i begrudgingly told him that i would be open to it and to let me know what needs to happen next. well....
the next day or so i receive a facebook friends request from a boy whose name sounds vaguely familiar to me. i quickly realized that this was the boy my friend was telling me about!!!! i add him and then scope out his page i.e. his photos and info. well, i soon realized that for a number of reasons, i didn't really think that he and i would be compatible so i just kind of moved on. a few days after the friend request, this boy writes me a pretty lengthy message telling me that my name was mentioned to him as a possible connection and he wanted to say hi. in closing he said, "if you ever want to hang out, let me know." LET HIM KNOW?? how passive is that? i loved the reaction from my manly, godly guy friends when i told them about that last line. they told me that last line alone disqualifies him from the possibility of a relationship with me- haha. anyway, i didn't write him back because i didn't want to hang out with him and really didn't even know what to write back to him.
ok so here is the best part and i have an eye-witness to what i am about to write- a few days after this boy sent me that message i was meeting a student for lunch (it was actually the same girl who set me up with the guy that i wrote about below- haha!). she wanted to go to panera even though we both knew that it would be super crowded. we finally got our food and a table and we began talking about the upcoming semester and what we were trusting God for and other serious things. well, there were 2 guys sitting pretty close behind me and i hear one of the guys say my guy friends last name. i turn around thinking that i might know them- the guy who is sitting behind me is the one who they wanted to set me up with!!!!! i immediately turn around to the girl i was with to tell her about the background of this guy but before i can really finish- HE STARTS TALKING ABOUT ME!!!!! my friend's mouth literally dropped open in disbelief. this guy was telling the other guy he was with my age, how tall i was and how he was being set up with me. he had his computer out and although i couldn't see the screen, i am pretty sure that they had my facebook profile pulled up! needless to say i was completely in shock. I (quietly) asked the girl if we could just leave as quickly as possible. we packed up our stuff and left. As soon as we were out of panera we feel to the ground in laughter!! I still can't believe that happened to me! I probably wouldn't have believed that this really happened to me if i hadn't of had a witness who shared this story with quite a few other people!!
this probably happened to me about 3 years ago now. the boy is now married and i couldn't be happier for him. he has no idea that i ever heard him that day in panera. one lesson to take away from this- jacksonville can be a very small town!!!!! hahahaha
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Can you meet me halfway?
"Well Jenny, if it has to do with you, there is always a story with a good laugh involved!" exclaimed one of my friends when I shared with her my recent dating mishap.
Allow me to share- One of good friends told me a few months ago that she had found the "perfect guy" for me and she wanted he and I to meet. I said sure and that I would be looking forward to it. She was a bit cautious to bring his name up to me because she wasn't sure if I would be attracted to him because apparently I have the reputation of having "pretty high standards in the looks department"- haha. Anyway, I agreed to the set up and she was super excited. I also found out that he and I know a lot of the same people as well, which was so fun! I heard a lot of great things about him and was looking forward to meeting him. Well, I met him for dinner and had a great time. He was really funny and nice and all of that stuff. When I left, I had no clue if he was interested in getting together or anything so I just made my 50 phone calls to my friends who were waiting by their phones and shared with them about the dinner and my impression of him. About a week went by and I heard nothing from him (which I was not accustomed to based on my previous set ups). Then, about a week later he called. The setting for this was PERFECT, I was in the car with 2 girls so I didn't pick up the phone. I listened to the voice mail that he left and as soon as I heard him say his name I yelled to the girls- HE CALLED!!! We of course were soooo excited because we of course thought- why else would he be calling other than to ask me out, right?? haha. Well, I call him back with a big smile on my face and that smile quickly melts away as he begins to talk to me. He thanks me for "indulging" our mutual friends by meeting up last week but he wanted for me to know that he has no intentions to take this any further. OUCH!!! I thank him for calling and then step out of my room to see my roommate waiting expectantly for my "good news." I then proceed to tell her what he told me and she is shocked! All I could do was laugh at the whole situation.
The first thing I thought of was the previous 2 guys that I dated who I had to coax that exact conversation out of them. Those 2 guys legitimately owed me a conversation saying that they had no intentions of taking their relationship with me any further, because I did, in fact, have a relationship with them. Instead of being bold and embracing the awkwardness by having that conversation, they acted like cowards. And then we have this guy who I've met once! He actually doesn't owe me anything, yet he chose to be clear and let me know where he stood- once I had time to console my bruised ego, I actually have come to appreciate what this dude did.
So, isn't there some type of middle ground here? Who knows! All I have to say is that I am trusting the Lord to provide me with a husband so that I can have (Lord-willing) a couple of sons who I can train in the ancient art of communication skills- because that is obviously lacking in this generation!!
Now, I hope this does not come across as bitter- my love life (or lack of) has actually been the cause of many laughs in recent years and some quite catchy sayings (that will never be posted on line) and for that I am grateful. I am glad that the Lord continues to provide things that keeps my life interesting!!!!!
Allow me to share- One of good friends told me a few months ago that she had found the "perfect guy" for me and she wanted he and I to meet. I said sure and that I would be looking forward to it. She was a bit cautious to bring his name up to me because she wasn't sure if I would be attracted to him because apparently I have the reputation of having "pretty high standards in the looks department"- haha. Anyway, I agreed to the set up and she was super excited. I also found out that he and I know a lot of the same people as well, which was so fun! I heard a lot of great things about him and was looking forward to meeting him. Well, I met him for dinner and had a great time. He was really funny and nice and all of that stuff. When I left, I had no clue if he was interested in getting together or anything so I just made my 50 phone calls to my friends who were waiting by their phones and shared with them about the dinner and my impression of him. About a week went by and I heard nothing from him (which I was not accustomed to based on my previous set ups). Then, about a week later he called. The setting for this was PERFECT, I was in the car with 2 girls so I didn't pick up the phone. I listened to the voice mail that he left and as soon as I heard him say his name I yelled to the girls- HE CALLED!!! We of course were soooo excited because we of course thought- why else would he be calling other than to ask me out, right?? haha. Well, I call him back with a big smile on my face and that smile quickly melts away as he begins to talk to me. He thanks me for "indulging" our mutual friends by meeting up last week but he wanted for me to know that he has no intentions to take this any further. OUCH!!! I thank him for calling and then step out of my room to see my roommate waiting expectantly for my "good news." I then proceed to tell her what he told me and she is shocked! All I could do was laugh at the whole situation.
The first thing I thought of was the previous 2 guys that I dated who I had to coax that exact conversation out of them. Those 2 guys legitimately owed me a conversation saying that they had no intentions of taking their relationship with me any further, because I did, in fact, have a relationship with them. Instead of being bold and embracing the awkwardness by having that conversation, they acted like cowards. And then we have this guy who I've met once! He actually doesn't owe me anything, yet he chose to be clear and let me know where he stood- once I had time to console my bruised ego, I actually have come to appreciate what this dude did.
So, isn't there some type of middle ground here? Who knows! All I have to say is that I am trusting the Lord to provide me with a husband so that I can have (Lord-willing) a couple of sons who I can train in the ancient art of communication skills- because that is obviously lacking in this generation!!
Now, I hope this does not come across as bitter- my love life (or lack of) has actually been the cause of many laughs in recent years and some quite catchy sayings (that will never be posted on line) and for that I am grateful. I am glad that the Lord continues to provide things that keeps my life interesting!!!!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Marriage as an idol...
"Where we most often sin in our own desire for marriage is not in worshiping marriage itself, but in doubting God's ability to bring it about."
- Candice Watters
Guilty!!!
- Candice Watters
Guilty!!!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sweet Blessings During a Bittersweet Time
In Paul's passion filled letter to the Ephesian church much of what he writes to them is what he is praying for them. In Chapter 3:20-21 he reminds them that our Lord can do immeasurably more than ALL we can ask or imagine and the reason why is because His working is not according to our faith or power- but His power that is at work within us. Paul then reminds us that this power is working in and through us so that God can get the glory in this generation and in the next.
This passage has always meant so much to me and even more so at this point in my life. I struggle so much with doubt that the Lord would actually use me or has a perfect plan for my life. The mundane things in this life get me down as well as the broken dreams or unfulfilled desires. This verse seems to be telling us to dream big, to trust God for big or impossible things and to look around and watch Him work- for His glory. So often I don't even attempt hard or scary things because I am so scared to fail or look like a fool, but in reality, not stepping out in faith is the foolish thing to do knowing what we know about God and His mighty power within us. I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote that challenges us with how easily pleased we are with playing a mud pile when the Lord offers us a resort by the sea. We are often too preoccupied or scared to look up and see!
Paul addresses this earlier in Ephesians 1:18 when he writes- I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...
We need to have spiritual eyes to see the great and glorious things in which the Lord is doing and has done- oftentimes those things don't look like much to the world. Take for example friendship. This is so important to me and is one of the top values of my life. I met most of my dearest friends my freshmen year of college right when I became a Christian and started understanding the things of the Lord. I have been friends with most of those girls for 10 years now. These aren't just my friends, these are my sisters, and my mentors. I learn from their lives and how they are wives and mothers and ministers. It is important for me to think about the time when I initially met them- it didn't seem like much at the time but the impact that they have had in my life is immeasurable.
Currently, I am struggling with looking around and only seeing what God hasn't done and desires that He hasn't fulfilled but Paul reminds me in Ephesians that where there might seem to be an emptiness there is room for the Lord to redeem that for His glory. This is the tension where I am living. I am tasting the bitterness of unfulfilled dreams and desires of having a husband and a family and seeing the Lord provide in that way yet I have to will myself daily to look up and see where He is working and blessing me. When I fight for this view I truly taste of the Lord's sweetness and am delighted in Him. I know that this is a struggle for every Christian in many different areas and I am very aware that if the Lord does ever provide a husband and a family then this longing will be transferred to another area so I am thankful that at 28 years young I have the opportunity to submit these things to the One who is worthy of all of my heart.
I am also thankful for the Lord abundantly providing in areas where I really didn't think to pray and ask Him to. He provided in His wisdom and I couldn't be more happy with His provision. As I mentioned before, He has provided me with wonderful sisters who have walked with me, and I've walked with them as well. We are currently spread out all over the country but we try to do a yearly reunion and we just got back from it a few weeks ago. These weekends are always fun and filled with laughs (mostly at my expense, as usual) and are always good reminders of the Lord's goodness to us. I come away from these weekends thinking that I got a little taste of what Heaven will be like one day.
Here is a poem that I recently read that made me think of these women and the friendships that we share-
Hide not thy tears, weep boldly and be found
To give the flowing virtue manly way;
'Tis natures mark to know an honest heart by;
Shame on those hearts that can not melt in soft a'loption of another's sorrow
No radiant pearl which created fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling, hangs, from beauty's ears, not the bright stars,
Which nights' blue arch adorn, nor
Rising suns that gild the vernal morn,
Shine with such lustre as the tear that treaks for other's woe
Down virtue's manly cheeks
- Darwin
Our friendships include many laughs but many tears as well as we trust the Lord to lead us through our journey Home and I am so thankful that He has provided friends to both rejoice and weep with.
This passage has always meant so much to me and even more so at this point in my life. I struggle so much with doubt that the Lord would actually use me or has a perfect plan for my life. The mundane things in this life get me down as well as the broken dreams or unfulfilled desires. This verse seems to be telling us to dream big, to trust God for big or impossible things and to look around and watch Him work- for His glory. So often I don't even attempt hard or scary things because I am so scared to fail or look like a fool, but in reality, not stepping out in faith is the foolish thing to do knowing what we know about God and His mighty power within us. I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote that challenges us with how easily pleased we are with playing a mud pile when the Lord offers us a resort by the sea. We are often too preoccupied or scared to look up and see!
Paul addresses this earlier in Ephesians 1:18 when he writes- I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...
We need to have spiritual eyes to see the great and glorious things in which the Lord is doing and has done- oftentimes those things don't look like much to the world. Take for example friendship. This is so important to me and is one of the top values of my life. I met most of my dearest friends my freshmen year of college right when I became a Christian and started understanding the things of the Lord. I have been friends with most of those girls for 10 years now. These aren't just my friends, these are my sisters, and my mentors. I learn from their lives and how they are wives and mothers and ministers. It is important for me to think about the time when I initially met them- it didn't seem like much at the time but the impact that they have had in my life is immeasurable.
Currently, I am struggling with looking around and only seeing what God hasn't done and desires that He hasn't fulfilled but Paul reminds me in Ephesians that where there might seem to be an emptiness there is room for the Lord to redeem that for His glory. This is the tension where I am living. I am tasting the bitterness of unfulfilled dreams and desires of having a husband and a family and seeing the Lord provide in that way yet I have to will myself daily to look up and see where He is working and blessing me. When I fight for this view I truly taste of the Lord's sweetness and am delighted in Him. I know that this is a struggle for every Christian in many different areas and I am very aware that if the Lord does ever provide a husband and a family then this longing will be transferred to another area so I am thankful that at 28 years young I have the opportunity to submit these things to the One who is worthy of all of my heart.
I am also thankful for the Lord abundantly providing in areas where I really didn't think to pray and ask Him to. He provided in His wisdom and I couldn't be more happy with His provision. As I mentioned before, He has provided me with wonderful sisters who have walked with me, and I've walked with them as well. We are currently spread out all over the country but we try to do a yearly reunion and we just got back from it a few weeks ago. These weekends are always fun and filled with laughs (mostly at my expense, as usual) and are always good reminders of the Lord's goodness to us. I come away from these weekends thinking that I got a little taste of what Heaven will be like one day.
Here is a poem that I recently read that made me think of these women and the friendships that we share-
Hide not thy tears, weep boldly and be found
To give the flowing virtue manly way;
'Tis natures mark to know an honest heart by;
Shame on those hearts that can not melt in soft a'loption of another's sorrow
No radiant pearl which created fortune wears,
No gem that twinkling, hangs, from beauty's ears, not the bright stars,
Which nights' blue arch adorn, nor
Rising suns that gild the vernal morn,
Shine with such lustre as the tear that treaks for other's woe
Down virtue's manly cheeks
- Darwin
Our friendships include many laughs but many tears as well as we trust the Lord to lead us through our journey Home and I am so thankful that He has provided friends to both rejoice and weep with.
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