Lake Deaton at Home

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Witness: Marcie Samuelson-Winter

Scripture: Psalm 139 The Passion Translation

Weekly Theme: Joy

My best friend and I have been friends for about eight years. When we first connected, it was after we both applied for the same job at a church where she had been the interim Choir Director. The church was going through some changes, and they were eliminating the position of Choir Director, and they were seeking a Worship Director. I was hired as the Worship Director, and she was my assistant. Over the course of the first year that culminated in an adventure at Lake Junaluska Worship and Arts Week in 2016, we were able to have some robust conversations that, with God’s grace, became the cornerstones of our relationship. We worked together for six of those eight years crafting exciting worship programs through hard work, laughter, and Christ. I know that God worked in her to accept me as a then mentor and now friend. I can talk to her about my innermost thoughts, and she actively listens so that she can respond in love and grace even when some of those thoughts aren’t the nicest! Then her responses help motivate me to make better choices, resulting from her non-judgmental attitude. Who else other than the One who knit us in our mother’s womb iscapable of breaking down walls?

Now, my best friend Kathryn encourages me to be a better listener, a more patient person, and a loving friend. God always finds the best people to place in our journey, and I’ve already discovered some of them right here at Lake Deaton! To God be the Glory!

Daily Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for bringing people into our lives that help us live our greatest joys. Help us be mindful of those in our lives to help us grow in ways You have crafted and the wisdom to have patience when we are uncomfortable with the changes You create that make us better. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When have you felt uncomfortable, and what did you finally realize that God was doing in your life as aresult?
2. What type of friends do you have in your life? Do they always agree with you, or do you have robust conversations and agree to disagree yet still remain friends?
3. Who in your life challenges you by holding you to a higher integrity? What are their words or actions that make you want to make better choices?