**Amberly shares her answers to questions from the Common Ground Bible Study**

What are the characteristics of compassion, in your opinion?

I think compassion moves people to bring awareness to suffering (on many levels), being emotionally moved by that suffering, desiring change, and being willing to be part of the change to relieve the suffering. I truly believe that although there are people who are born with a proclivity for compassion, all of us can develop the ability to practice compassion in a meaningful way.

Write about an instance of how the strength of others helped you accomplish something you thought impossible.

I wanted to run a half marathon (and by run, I mean not die while I do it). Two ladies met me at the gym every morning at 5:00 a.m. for the many months preceding the event to encourage me to train. When I crossed the finish line, I knew it was Jesus and their encouragement, prayers, and constant support that made it possible.

What components of your personality that stem from your upbringing do you wish you could change?

I grew up in a home with a dad that was hard to please. I worked hard for his approval (to no avail) and although he has been gone for over two decades now, I still seek approval from humans, when my main focus should be on the praise of God. Such a pursuit takes much of my mental bandwidth thinking about the perception of others and what I can do to win their approval.

If someone was to ask your closest friends and family to describe you, do you think they would use the word humble?

Nope. Not even a little. They would say self-aware and desirous to be humble, but no. I wish.

No doubt Joseph’s coat was his favorite item of clothing. What is your favorite outfit or piece of clothing?
I have a pair of jeans I got at a thrift store whilst shopping with my sister. They fit no matter what the scale says–it is like grace in denim.

Make a list of the things that the Lord has done for you in the last three months. Was any of those an answer to prayer? Was it answered on your schedule?

The Lord has done innumerable things for me. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, a family I adore, and friends on whom I can count. Something I have consistently asked of the Lord is financial help. I lost my job during COVID. He has indeed provided in very creative ways, I might add.

Was it on my time schedule? Nope.

Is the timing perfect? Yep.

When have you wrestled with God? What happened as a result?

When my husband and I were struggling with infertility, I did a lot of wrestling. I am afraid, if I had been younger, I would have qualified as a varsity wrestler! We were married 9 1/2 years before we had a successful pregnancy (we could get pregnant, just not stay that way). In that time, I learned much about God's provision and plan and leaned into His strength. Although that season was ROUGH, I am so glad for the spiritual muscles it produced in me.

A prayer from Amberly for you

Father God, thank you for the opportunity we have to live in community with others. Father, use our relationships to shape us into more of Your likeness and glorify Your Name. May you help us find common ground with those with whom we do not agree and forge new relationships that draw others close to You.

Amen

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