Spirt- leading vs. guilt

i had a revelation today. it was little. it was a little thing- but it's huge.

a couple weeks ago I talked to a friend to tell her of my labor day plans (nannying) and to see if she'd be around for a play date. she said that she would be gone with her family for the day- for a moment I almost offered to watch her dog but decided against it because she hadn't asked me to dog sit for awhile and I didn't want to seem pushy or weird.

so anyway, we talked today and she mentioned how they are leaving the dog alone all day in the backyard- and said if I heard her yapping to love on her, please.

I know it was not just me considering offering my dog sitting services. I know the Spirit wanted me know she needed some dog help. in all things, great and small, trivial seeming or serious. He is there.

but the revelation came in realizing how often I am 'confused' by thinking the Spirit is a leading fueled often by guilt... "how do you know God doesn't want you to _*fill in a ministry blank*_". Some of the most sure leadings are not those I do because I feel like I have to- rather, the ones that come from deep within, a knowing without being positive but simply believing.

yea yea. it's just a dog. but it's huge.

on another note, I saw a classmate and her wife at the mall this weekend. The classmate, who used to be into some type of witchcraft-weird stuff, talked to me about her new walk with God, her experiences at church, and her child's Bible that helps her understand God more than the NIV for now. Does God want people to marry the same sex? no. but could He use that circumstance for them to find Him? absolutely. who am I to judge? I'll love them where they're at and leave it to Him.