Not too long ago, I came across my journal from Dr. Blassingame's Freshman English class at LCU. One of our assignments was to make a list of all of the things that we believe in. I remember being puzzled by the assignment and, of course, put it off until the last minute.
One thing that immediately came to mind while reading this long lost list was my precious friend and roommate Stephanie. She too was taking this class. I remember staying up most of the night, sitting on my bed, as we made our list. She found the assignment easy and as she began reading her list, I too, got on a roll. We laushed and cried and had a wonderful conversation, while trying, in our "mature" 18 year old minds, to figure out what exactly we believed in.
Not too long ago, I came across a scripture in my church small group Bible study that struck me. It is the story of the boy with the evil spirit whom Jesus healed. The verses are in Mark 9:22-24. The boy's father ask Jesus that "if he could" to heal his son. Jesus stated, "If you can? Everything is possible for those who believe."
Now this is the part of the scripture that struck me. The boys father EXCLAIMED, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Even with the strong belief I do have, there are still ways that I need to believe God more. I am still learning this. One of the greatest spiritual growth opportunities that I have had recently was to take Beth Moore's "Believing God" Bible study. So now, I have decided I need to make another list. I have been searching my heart as to the things I believe.
My list is still in progress and I will share when I complete it. For now, I want to share some of the things that I wrote down when I was 18 years old and a freshman in college. On that night, when Steph and I were making our list, I will never forget two things that Steph wrote on her list. One was that she believed that Jesus was the Son of God and that He came to save her. My precious little friend is with Jesus now. She sits in Heaven with him because of her belief. The other thing she wrote down that I will never forget was she believed in "real mashed potatoes". :-)
Things I Believe In (1993)
-God
-Jesus is the son of God
-Jesus died to save me from my sins
-because I have obeyed Him, repented of my sins, confessed His name and been baptized I will go to heaven to be with Him someday.
-Christian education
-my parents love for me
-my parents love for each other
-my sisters love for me
-my grandparents love for me
-Mojo football (I know...deep!)
-a single red rose
-true friendship
-there is such a thing as the perfect roommate (Steph and I both put this one)
-true love (Wade and I had just started dating and I was smitten)
-the power of a song (I was a little dramatic)
-home is where the heart is
There were more, of course, but I think you have the idea. I obviously had alot of growing to do. I remember how grown up and mature I felt. I no longer feel that way about myself. I feel that even though I have grown, I still have much work to do.
So, my friends,what do you believe in?
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I Believe: Part One
Posted by Procters at 7:56 PM
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7 comments:
That was a great post...very sweet! One thing I believe in that I've been thinking about a lot lately is that we all have the power to change our lives. Yes, circumstances get in the way, and things happyen that our beyond our control, but I'm talking about the "woe is me" kind of attitude. You don't like your life...do something about it! The first step is getting up and saying, "I can."
Great thoughts, Cherise. It's something I'll put more thought into and maybe post a list myself (thanks for the idea!). But today, the first thing that came to mind is HEAVEN. I believe in heaven. I long to be there, to be at peace and with all those whom I love and cherish (so I'd better make sure all those I love and cherish know about the love of Jesus).
If I could add one to your list, it would be, "I believe that diet coke cures everything (mostly)". That was an awesome post. Were you talking about Stephanie Fannon? If so, I don't remember yall being roommates, but you and I weren't really friends our freshman year, anyway.
If you come to Larissas party, let me know, because we live 4 houses down from her and I would LOVE to see you and Darla. Last thing....yes, mac and cheese is still my favorite vegetable and I can't belive you remember that. I'll have to defend myself in a later post!
What a sweet post- I believe that a hot bubble bath can fix most anything, I believe in snuggling, and I believe that God wants to have a relationship with me- the more I talk to Him, stay in His word and trust in Him, the more I am blown away by the way
he restores me and fullfills my every need beyond anything I could imagine.
that is great and thanks for your post. i read it at a moment when i needed to hear it again!
and love mel's comments!
I love thinking about you and Stephanie together. It is fitting that Kristi writes of HEAVEN. I believe you and Stephanie will have more laughter filled times in a heavenly mansion!
I believe in naps. And I believe in the comforting powers of Blue Bell Vanilla Ice cream with Hersheys chocolate syrup. The kind of syrup in the can. Ice cream served with the "just right" scoop from the drawer by the refigerator. At Mamma and Granddaddy's house. To be exact.
Of course my anchor beliefs are firmly fixed on the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Father who sees us. And His amazing Spirit that fills us.
Cherise, you will never know how great it made me feel to read your discussion about our class assignment years ago. I had been feeling a little blue (who's kidding? a lot blue, actually), and a friend and colleague sent me the link to your blog entry.
Reading it made my English teacher heart go pitter pat. Yes, I told myself, something I do does make a difference!
A really strange thing is that another student who graduated last year sent me an e-mail recently, talking about something he had read that reminded him of the same assignment.
Seriously, God was talking to me, reminding me that teachers can have an effect that goes on forever.
I also cried a little when I remembered you and Stephanie--such good friends, always laughing and having a good time. You were good students who made me glad to be a teacher. Stephanie lives on in memories such as these and also affects those of us who knew her and didn't know her.
What a powerful testimony to the power of memory and of God's love for us--the people He puts in our lives who help us along the path.
Your blog is wonderful, and I'm happy to see you with your beautiful children leading a good life.
Many thanks.
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