From the Inside Out.

I went back and re-read my recent posts.
Stale. Boring. Negative.
Why is that?

Why is it that when so much is going right, really all we can focus on is what isn't?

• My children are loved, provided for, bright, and healthy.
• My husband is gainfully employed and comes home every night. He loves me just because I'm me.
• I work a job that most people are jealous of and that still amazes me each time I cash a paycheck. I get to sing to little ones about Jesus. Are you kidding me? It's awesome!!
• I have a truly beautiful family. I have wonderful friendships with both of my parents, who incidentally are still married and madly in love with each other, and just celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss...
• My brother and sister both call me friend. And Dork. And Kid Rotten... I have valid lifelong relationships with both of my siblings. And those friendships grow stronger and more meaningful with the passage of time.
• I have a few really wonderful friends. And by a few, I mean more than most people accumulate in a lifetime. And they are true.
• I serve a fantastic God, Who blows my mind pretty regularly with His goodness.

It would be difficult to assess all the changes that have occurred in my life over a period of time during one brief encounter at the supermarket.
Add 10 years and 15 pounds, I pretty much look like the same ol' me.

So yeah, somebody from high school can't see the 'me' that God has taken back onto His Potter's Wheel and sculpted and made anew.
Fine.
That does not negate what has made me look so very different on the inside.
In the last year or so, I have experienced a Spiritual Extreme Makeover.
I love the person I am becoming in God.
For the first time in my adult life, I am able to say that my thoughts, for the most part, are likely pleasing to God.
I want to please God. (no_iffer's post spurred my thoughts tonight)

Some days I fall short, but with each passing day, I am more and more mindful of what it means to serve God. To be passionate about Him.

It's what is going on behind closed doors with my sweet, sweet Redeemer that makes the difference.

He has been shaping me. Molding. Purifying.

Trimming the excess. (What? A girl can dream...)

Someday, I will not be recognizable as that same girl.
Today, I am glad that He sees me as enough. Good enough to make Him smile.
Good enough for Him to call 'friend.'

I am so blessed.