Bragging on my man

Saturday, Ronnie and I were doing some "house-hunting" in an area where we might be interested in living. He got the new job in May - and well, life has been crazy since then, so, since he has the option of tele-commuting normally, we just haven't gotten serious about house-hunting.

Now, the search is ON!

So, we were just past this small town that is halfway between two cities that are acceptable in size - and looking at a nice little rental house. The rental house didn't seem to be what we were looking for, so, disappointed, we started driving back home.

As we were getting into town, we passed an older couple out trying to cut the grass. At first, it was cute, the little old man was pushing the lawn mower, and the little lady was standingback giving directions! Typical right?

Anyway, as we got closer, we realized he was down in the ditch next to the road... pushing the lawn mower with his left hand and supporting his weight on a cane with his right hand! As soon as we saw this, Ronnie told me to turn around.

I pulled up to the next turn place and we went back to see if we could help. I will be honest, I half expected them to either be offended, or at least be embarrassed that we would offer help. But Ronnie was committed. We got out of the car in their driveway, and of course they looked at us quite confused.

Ronnie just ran to the little man and asked him if he could help. The little man and woman came back to my car and talked to me while Ronnie cut their grass for them. Yep - that's my husband! With a huge heart towards helping people! In his polos and khacki shorts - - and his GOOD tennis shoes! Mowing the lawn... the thing he hates worse than anything in the world... just to help out an elderly couple we had never met before. Whoa! I love my husband! - for things like THAT!

We talked to them for a while. They loved to talk. She is 69, he is 74 and they have no kids. So, they have to take care of things themselves. They were hoping we would decide to get a house in the area so we can come back to visit them sometime. I don't think that house would have worked out - - but I do think we may stop by again sometime. Sometimes people just need to be shown a little love ya know?

As I was standing there, and the three of us were watching Ronnie mow their lawn - she looked at me and said "Ya know, you can just tell Christian love when you see it." I had not said anything about being a Christian up to that point. Of course, I looked at her and confirmed that we were, in fact, Christians.

Then, due to being in some serious conversations with a friend of mine of the last week. I have really been thinking about it. Although the church in general can be a tough place - - and people are never perfect - - and even the fact that Christianity as a religion can look like a whole lot of different things. When we are truly following Christ - and responding to people as HE would have us to do... yes, you CAN tell Christian love when you see it. It is unmistakable.

I just had to take a minute to brag on my man.

Not what you do... but how you do it

Ok - so here is my question. So many times, in the Christian world, I have heard the phrase.... "God is not so concerned with what you do, but how you do it." What exactly does this mean? I believe that God has a "best" plan for our lives. I believe that His will for our lives in the general sense is VERY clear. Micah says "to live justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God." Jesus says "to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself." Paul says "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable which is my reasonable act of service." All of these have very much to do with the "how you do it" mentality. Ok, I understand this. This makes sense. But where I am stuck right now is in the "what I do" idea. Here is what I mean. I am going to back up to a recent story in my life.....
In 2006 I considered looking at a job opportunity in Singapore, going to seminary in Texas, and traveling with Wings of Morning. Based on the statement "not what you do, but how you do it," any of these would be fine options. Looking forward in time, that sounded good. It sounded like I couldn't mess up. I could do all three of these and be equally in God's will. I could live justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Does this make sense?
Fast forward..... In January, as most of you know, I met my husband while traveling with Wings. Now, I cannot second guess as to whether or not going to Singapore, or going to school in Texas would have some how eventually led our paths to cross. However, I don't see how either of those other options would have led me to Danville, Virginia to meet the man of my dreams. God does have mysterious ways of doing things.... and we shouldn't play the "what if" game. But the question remains... Do you see my point?
So, at this point.... Ronnie and I have discussed, not with anything in particular in mind - but just generally speaking, so we are prepared if (when) the actual situation arises. If it TRULY only matters "how I do it" and TRULY doesn't matter "what I do" then how can we ever determine God's best plan for our lives. I am sure that many of the options God presents to us in life may lead to good ideas. However, I do not ever want to get to the end of my life and say "hmm... wasn't that good." I want to end it knowing that I lived to the fullest, that my life was "exceedlingly abundantly more than I could ask or imagine." That is, after all, what Jesus promised to His followers right? Not an easy life. That isn't what I am asking for. I simply asking that I be put through the opportunities to risk it all, and yet know that I am really NOT risking it all, because I have a promise that "the righteous will not be forsaken, nor will their seed beg for bread." I want to know that the struggles, the failures and the victories will have the same passion behind them. I don't want to look back and wonder if I really did my life fully.... To wonder if I missed the best while I was distracted by anything else. I heard once that our enemy wants to put a price tag on our service. He knows we are distracted easily by money. He wants us to get so worried and disctracted by the dollar signs, that we forget the main point. I don't want to be distracted by money, fame, the big time... but I don't want to miss that either if that is part of "my" abundant life.
So, I can talk in circles about this all day. I don't know the answer - and I can fully argue either side. (isn't that frustrating?)
Ideas? Thoughts? Advice?
Thanks.