Honesty and depth are vital to our relationships and conversations. If there is one thing I have learned about relationships, this would be it. How can a relationship grow or flourish if there is no transparency? 

This morning I was reflecting on my relationships and found a common theme- all the relationships where I have experienced the most growth or those relationships that are the deepest have all been where both people are transparent, honest, and open. They are safe relationships. Do you know what I'm talking about? There are so many people, Christian and not, that think they need to look perfect and disguise their struggles and/or hardships...but why? Just a reminder: we all have them. 

Something I often have to remind myself when I look at my struggles and imperfections is that I am still in the process of being sanctified by Christ. No matter how extravagant our sin is, God's grace and love is always more extravagant. We have nothing to prove. 

I can't believe it's been so long since I've written....guess things have been pretty busy.

Anyway, not a whole lot is new in my life. I will be finished with school by Saturday night after my last final, and then will have a little less than a month to continue preparing for New York. I am such a dork...2 nights ago I literally packed my bag to see how much I could fit, as I am trying to only have one bag and 2 carry-ons. I decided I should ship my coats and shoes, since there is no way I can fit those in one bag. Hopefully it won't be too expensive to ship them...or I may have to re-consider my packing style. I can't believe I will be there in 29 days!

Tonight we are having our 3rd-annual Christmas dinner at the Dodds house. Seliece, Anne, Mallory, Allie, Jordan, and Christy are all coming and it will be great to all be together before everyone heads back for the break and then I head out for the semester.

Something I read this morning that really hit me in a new way was the Parable of the Lost Son in Luke 15. Basically, there are two sons whose father divides his property between them. The younger brother sets off for a far-away land and "squanders his wealth in wild living" while the other brother stays and works on his father's field. The younger son spends everything he has and at about the same time a severe famine sweeps across the country. He begins to work for for a man, feeding his pigs, but is given nothing to eat. He discovers that his own father would feed his hired workers and so he decides to return home, but will tell his father: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to become your son; make me like one of your hired men.". But as the son approaches his home, the father sees him and is filled with joy and compassion at the safe return of his son. He runs to him and hugs him, while the son begins to say what he had planned to say. The father ignores him and tells his servants to bring him the best robe and to kill and bring the fattened calf. As they celebrate, the older son hears the music and wonders what is going on. A servant tells him that his brother has come and they have killed the fattened calf because he has come back safe and sound. The older brother becomes angry and reminds his father that after all these years of never disobeying his orders, the father never had even given him a young goat to celebrate with his friends, yet when the son who had "squandered his property with prostitutes" comes home, he kills the fattened calf for him. The part that I loved the most in this story is the father's response. "My son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours. But we must celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now is found."

What a powerful story and demonstration of Christ's love for each one of us. He desires so much that we know Him and cares so deeply about our heart. Yesterday I listened to a podcast by Matt Chandler called "After the Heart". He made a comment saying that what makes Jesus so difficult is that He goes straight for our heart. Rather than treating the symptoms, He is more interested in where our affection lies. Does our affection lie with Him? Or does it lie in other places? Do I busy myself with religious activity, without having a heart that is transformed? These were all questions that made me think and re-evaluate my heart. I am so thankful that He cares for my heart.

Well, I'm off to study for Español!