“Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

sometimes i notice something in my life that i could afford to work on. sometimes i could use some help. sometimes i am afraid to ask for it. why? because asking for help opens doors that i'm not sure i'm ready to open. doors that are hard to close. asking for help lets the person i ask into my personal life in a way that makes me very, very vulnerable and more than a little uncomfortable. i hate to ask. and so the help never comes. and the change never happens. it's all about accountability, really - letting what is purely "my business" become open for criticism, and having to accept that criticism without disowning the person who i've asked to keep me accountable. it's actually a horrible thing, and this is one reason why it's obviously a very healthy thing. things that suck are often healthy as all-get-out.

my glory is to be in my relationship with God, and not in any other thing. contrast this with the way i am tempted to spend my time, and you'll see why i could use some help. i am in class all-the-live-long-day, and then there are miles to run, and endless hours of memorizing and learning and reading. sometimes i get to go out with friends; most nights i spend some time on the phone with my boyfriend. and then there's time to eat, time to shower, time to try to look presentable... and where is my time to unravel? i really need that time, maybe more that some people. i find that i can get complicated very quickly if i don't lay things straight fairly often. as the season gets busier, i don't take that time. "Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches..." and i am studying and exercising (and certainly getting poorer rather than richer), but still, "let [me] boast in this alone: that [i] truly know [Him] and understand that He is the LORD."

have i let myself off the hook with accountability? maybe. but often i find that writing and publishing my intentions is like putting one of those jesus fish bumper stickers on your car. maybe it doesn't make you a better driver at first, but dang do you feel bad when you cut someone off, knowing what they're staring at. so if a bumper sticker can set the bar, then let my writing do the same.