Change vs. Realism

(I bet that, based on the title, you thought I was going to talk about President Obama :-) Have no fear, I really don't know enough about politics to comment....that, plus the fact that I'm not very fond of debating.)

The other day my dad was mocking me for not knowing what some of the buttons in my car do. He then proceeded to tell me that there is a lovely thing called an "owner's manual" that I can read to learn how. Now see, when he told me this, he also added that there was pretty much zero chance of me actually sitting down and reading the owner's manual.
Ok, I was somewhat offended. I really really wanted to prove him wrong. I adamantly told him "hey you don't know that! I just might actually read it."
And now, a few months later, that owner's manual is still sitting in my glove box. Untouched, unread.

My question is, where is that line between knowing yourself, and yet at the same time leaving yourself open to change? It bothers me when people think they know themselves SO well that they assume that NOTHING about them will ever change; but at the same time, is that more realistic than thinking/hoping that you can and will change? Do those people have more security in their identity?

My response to my dad's statement was to challenge that view of myself, to surprise him, to not let myself be put into a box.... but technically he did know what I would actually do when it came to figuring out my car.

Oy. Its like the world's greatest conundrum. I suppose that now I could moralize and come up with some cool way that this really relates to anything spiritual, but I got nothing.
Oh wait. I know.

We love answering with a "You can't tell me what to do! You can't tell me who I am!" (Or in my case who I am not.) Ah, my good friend pride and his buddy love-of-self-identity come back again. I think that accepting your strengths and weaknesses doesn't necessarily mean you leave them just as they are. Strengthening those weaker areas doesn't necessarily mean they will become great strenghts, but they will still be helpful....I suppose its the same with all the spiritual gifts as well as the fruits of the Spirit--just because we're not "gifted" with something doesn't mean we just blow it off and just say "oh well, I'll never be good at that, so I just won't try." (And obviously, God is growing those things in us, He is the ultimate gardner...).

God knows that I am not the type to be pro-active in reading the owner's manual for my Honda Civic to figure it out. And while portion of my character may not change, I know there are parts of my character that God can and will strength if I ask Him to. I guess I just first have to get past the "this is how I am, too bad, so sad" mindset.

Whoa. I have a blog?

At the request of a certain Brooke Martin and Irene Owens I have created a blog. Hopefully I will be faithful to write and keep my friends who are scattered across the globe updated :) Not exactly sure what I will be writing about. Probably all things random, and lots of God-stuff sprinkled in.

I have called this blog a work in progress because I feel like this will be the theme for my life. I love completing things, checking things off lists, so its a little hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this whole following Christ thing is not just a bunch mini-lessons on a list that you check off once you've learned them. No, its more like start the lesson, learn more, take two steps forward, one step back, and then 10 years later you still don't have it down (thats what it feels like anyway!). I'm like a sprinter trying to run a marathon. I'm not a big fan of perseverance. So understanding that this is a life-long growing process is a lesson that takes time to learn. But on the bright side, I do know that one day I will be the finished product---PERFECT.

"And I am confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Man, THAT will be the day. Can't wait. Until then, I will keep my eyes fixed on the One in charge of changing me....seeing as I'm not so good at changing myself.
Well, that's it for now kids, stay tuned for Gwen's next blog about......something? Yup. This is going to be an adventure....