Soon afterward, Allen left for Virginia and broke off the relationship. It came as no surprise to me, but poor Rosie was devastated. I received a call from her one night and was made aware of the entire situation. Sometime during our next few conversations I found words to help her through it all. I feel the Holy Spirit prompted many of them. I focused on telling her of God�s love and tried desperately to help her understand the difference between Godly love (unconditional) and our own, more selfish human love. Somehow I think she heard me. I told her to read first Corinthians, Chapter 13 and that there could be found the Truest definition of love I know. I stressed that our love for God must always come first, then a love for ourselves. Once we have found that, we can find greatest happiness in SHARING that love with another. We can never absolutely depend on another for that love, it must be found within first.
Well, after many discussions, I am happy to say that Rosie is searching herself and the word of God to understand that love. I am very happy for her. I am also very happy that God allowed me to be a tool to help bring another person closer to him. It is this type of thing that makes my life seem truly successful. I hope and pray that this situation will help bring Allen closer to God as well and show him without a doubt that only God can truly fill that hole in his heart. Once filled with God�s love, a person then can surround that heart with the love of his fellow man. Without God�s influence, nothing can be made truly eternal. I continue to hope and pray that others may come to understand this.
Another page unfolded has to do with Shannon and I. I daresay that our relationship has taken yet another turn. This time I believe we have faced what was to be our biggest hurdle. We overcame it with flying colors. For many years I knew the day would come when I must tell her about myself. Well, that day came and once exposed to the Light, it showed the path to further Truths. We talked of everything that was previously uncomfortable to face. There now stands nothing in the way of our friendship. All matters were resolved that night. Since that time our friendship has deepened and I am extremely please with the way things are progressing. I am both proud and honored to be able to call her friend as I suppose I always have been, only now it seems to have much more meaning. It delights my very soul to know that she too searches within herself for Truth, knowing that there may be mistakes along the way. But such is the way of personal progress.
I am happy to say that most all other things are going well. My job back at 7-11 is fine and I know that I am genuinely appreciated there. Nick has made it abundantly clear that I am most welcome there. They are good people and I enjoy my associations with them. Derek has made the decision to move on with his life and he will be leaving home this weekend to live out here at Swaney farms. This will bring difficulties, but I truly believe it is in his best interests. He hopes to save enough money by staying here to put a down payment on a house. I will be as supportive as I can be. I hope he sticks with it.
Jeff seems to be temporarily out of the picture. I�m sure my directness and seriousness have put him off somewhat, but I don�t believe I have heard the last of him. It�s still an open chapter. While our relationship could have been a bit better, I�m certain that things could be a lot worse. Perhaps he was hoping for a romantic relationship that I couldn�t give him. Greg is the same as ever and Joey hasn�t contacted me since I helped him move several weeks ago. For these, time will tell. My sister Alicia should have her baby sometime in November and that by far will be the next biggest challenge in my life, as she will be living here. I only pray that God will give me the understanding and patience I will need to face those times. Well, I have pretty much thrown away the crutches. I only need to begin walking forward again.
~FIN
