"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'" Matthew 9:12
For my mom's birthday, I told her I would go to her "birthday bash" where she works on Wednesday night. It's a little dive bar in my hometown. I'll be honest, it wasn't my place of choice, but it was all about her. :) But let me tell you, I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.
I played my first game of table shuffleboard, and I won!! I really wasn't playing with expectation of winning because...well...it was my first time playing. And it was fun! I always enjoy spending time with Brian, who was there with a really good guy named Shaun. Plus I got to listen to someone tell me all about some things that are neat to them. And then later on in the night...
I got to talk with a dear friend of 13 years about Jesus. I got to witness God's pursuit of this friend. The conversation was Divinely appointed; it was humbling; it was encouraging. It was good. He's being honest about his position, and it's the perfect place for him. And I praise God because I know that God's doing the work. And I know that He faithfully spoke through me, as I asked Him to please do. I am pumped for my friend. I am pumped about Jesus.
The Pharisees scrutinized Jesus for hanging out with people who were "unacceptable." They scrutinized Him for hanging out in places that seemed unfit for a man of God to be. If I hadn't gone to that bar tonight, that conversation would not have happened. But that's a comfortable place for my friend to talk and be honest. It's not about me. It's about Christ, and about furthering His kingdom.
I also had a lovely time with my Daddy today. I am blessed with two, wonderful, loving parents. And the parents I have gained from their remarriages is pretty insane as well; I know that they all love me so much. I love them so much as well.
I might be heading back to Pigeon Forge this weekend. One of my good friends is going through something that is really difficult, and I want to serve her with love during it. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
