Accountability

I didn't really want to go to the pool this morning. I could have easily talked myself out of it with many justifiable reasons...it was 5 degrees and Britain had a two hour delay, which would give me right at a half hour to swim (even though I never swim for more than a half hour), I worked out yesterday, and I have several projects I need to accomplish today.
HOWEVER, I told Silvia that I'd be there. And that was my motivation. Silvia would be waiting for me.
Accountability. I need it. You need it.
Lately, I've invited a few of my friends into my bubble, my private world where I have thoughts and good intentions that so often go undone because I am not accountable to anyone, I've wanted to write more consistently and I've felt the Lord calling me to do it, and I have so many thoughts that He gives me, but with no one to hold me accountable, I am free to rationalize away my thoughts, to believe that no one wants to read them, that no one would be encouraged or challenged by what the Lord shares with me.
I got a text this morning from Sherry, which read, "ok, accountability partner... how far did you get?" She was referring to our conversation last night where we shared with each where we are in our daily Bible reading, our Bible study book and another book we're reading for a class.
Silvia was in the locker room when I got to the pool. We chatted for a few minutes about how neither of us wanted to come today. And how we were both so glad we did.

          My goal is that they will be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love.                                                                         Colossians 2.2a

Celebrate!

It seems like every year I have the same resolutions, to study The Word, spend more time in prayer and keep up with my blog. And every year, I get the chance to start over again. So, here we go with a fitting message for the new year...

I was on my way to a women's leadership meeting Saturday morning when I drove by this house that grabbed my attention. I thought of the irony of the scene and I was thankful I had a few extra minutes because I turned around and went back to take a picture...

Do you see what I saw?

This picture thrills me because of what it represents in my life and perhaps in yours as well. The house is under construction. HOWEVER, they still decorated it for Christmas! It didn't matter that the house wasn't complete and in a more presentable state. They still decorated it and joined in The Celebration.

I want to join in the celebration of what God is doing in my life, even though I am so incomplete. My prayer is that this year I would not focus so much on presenting a perfect, polished temple of the Lord's, but that I would seek to have a pure heart that follows hard after Him and celebrates His grace in my life, and I, in turn, would celebrate the Amazing Grace in those who are walking this journey with me. Oh, won't you join me in this Celebration?

Psalm 24:3-5New International Version (NIV)

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?

    Who may stand in his holy place?

⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,

    who does not trust in an idol

    or swear by a false god.

⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord

    and vindication from God their Savior