Today was the day that I told my kids at school that Friday would be my last day with them. I have to say, that I was kind of dreading it at first. Last week was tough as my time there was coming to an end. I wondered how in the world I would get through it, what I would say, when I should say it...and if I could make it through without crying!!!?
But I heard some things during worship on Sunday that put me in my place. It helped me get my head on straight. I realized that I was "worrying" about the whole thing. I knew that I had to give it to Him, and trust Him to work everything out. I knew He would give me strength when I needed it...and He did!
I also felt like He wanted me to be transparent, that is always scary, but I've learned that when I am, God does really cool things. So I decided to tell my kids about the time that I had to take my Spanish oral proficiency test 5 times before I passed. How I didn't understand at the time, but that in looking back, I realize that God brought me to the end of my rope for a reason...to see if I was going to live my life for me or for Him? Teaching was my dream, and God was asking me to give it to Him. I didn't understand it, but I decided to trust Him. The next time I took that test, I passed. No coincidence. I was learning how to trust in Him, His promises, His word, and His love. I was learning to not lean on my own understanding.
I remember thinking at that time in my life, "Lord how is this ever going to glorify you?" Well, today I think it did just that. What I thought was a weakness, was used today to bring glory to Him! I think the kids "got it." They were surprised for sure, but they were awesome! I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of their lives:-)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Born Again-Broken Beyond Repair, Until He Came Along and Sang a Song Over Me!
Turning 30 makes some people afraid. For others, it is exciting. For me, I rejoice! September 12th was not only the day I was born, it was the day I was BORN AGAIN! It was the day that God reached down and saved me, the day that He opened the door, the day that He set me free. It was the day that God sang over me!
It was Sept. 12, 1999, my sophomore year in college. I was at a little church called Martindale Baptist. That day was college Sunday, I had to sit in the aisle in a fold up chair b/c there were so many people. The preacher was a college student named Scott Mills. The more he preached God's word, the more God tugged on my heart. At the end of the service, our pastor gave an invitation to accept Christ. I stood there, frozen in my tracks. I wanted to go forward, but I was stuck. Stuck in fear. I thought that maybe my Mom would be upset (she had raised me Catholic and had passed away 5 years earlier). I felt that in some way, I would be leaving what we shared together. Tears began to flow down my face. I prayed and cried out for God to help me. That is when He answered me. Shortly after, the organist changed songs and began to play Amazing Grace (the song that was played at my Mom's funeral). As the song played, a peace and comfort that can only come from above swept over me. It was if my mom were saying, "It's okay...go!" I smiled, and walked to the front. That day I gave my life to Christ, knowing that His love was so much more real than anything I had ever known.
I realize now, that it was God singing over me! Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Isn't it amazing! God sings over us! And for the first time, in a long time, I felt like I was living. For the first time, I was ALIVE! I look back and I thank you Lord for all you have done for me. All I want to do, is give my life back to you! Thank you for opening my eyes and setting me free. Thank you for AMAZING GRACE!
It was Sept. 12, 1999, my sophomore year in college. I was at a little church called Martindale Baptist. That day was college Sunday, I had to sit in the aisle in a fold up chair b/c there were so many people. The preacher was a college student named Scott Mills. The more he preached God's word, the more God tugged on my heart. At the end of the service, our pastor gave an invitation to accept Christ. I stood there, frozen in my tracks. I wanted to go forward, but I was stuck. Stuck in fear. I thought that maybe my Mom would be upset (she had raised me Catholic and had passed away 5 years earlier). I felt that in some way, I would be leaving what we shared together. Tears began to flow down my face. I prayed and cried out for God to help me. That is when He answered me. Shortly after, the organist changed songs and began to play Amazing Grace (the song that was played at my Mom's funeral). As the song played, a peace and comfort that can only come from above swept over me. It was if my mom were saying, "It's okay...go!" I smiled, and walked to the front. That day I gave my life to Christ, knowing that His love was so much more real than anything I had ever known.
I realize now, that it was God singing over me! Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Isn't it amazing! God sings over us! And for the first time, in a long time, I felt like I was living. For the first time, I was ALIVE! I look back and I thank you Lord for all you have done for me. All I want to do, is give my life back to you! Thank you for opening my eyes and setting me free. Thank you for AMAZING GRACE!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
God Will Fight For You, He Will Carry You!
Deuteronomy 1:30-31 "The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you. You saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way until you reached this place."
I am reading a book called "The Power of Praying Through the Bible" by Stormie Omartian. It is wonderful. As I read today's passage, it made me think back on our journey towards Ecuador. She says, "walking into a closer relationship with God can be like entering your own promise land. You know it's a good place, but it's still filled with unknowns. Following Jesus doesn't mean life is going to be easy. You'll still have giants to battle, territory to claim, and work to do. But God says regarding your journey with Him, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." And the reason is because "the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you" (Deut. 1:30)
As I look back, I can see how that is so true for us. When we first began our FUNdraising, we tried doing it our way, the easy way. We were scared about "asking people to support us." We wandered around in that "desert" for quite some time. God was just waiting for us to bring it to Him, so that He could fight the battle for us. After going to Ecuador during Spring Break, we were able to get a "taste" of what God had for us. It was so EXCITING! We prayed, Lord please show us...we don't know how to do this or what to do! He did show us. Not only did he guide us, He fought the battle for us. When we released it over to Him, the burden became light as He carried us.
It took us 15 months to get to 37%. God took us from 37% to 92% in 2 months! You see, "He already knows the unknowns. He knows about the giants. He has the battle plan. All we need to do is continually look to Him in prayer and follow His lead!" (Omartian)
Thank you Lord! We are bubbling over with excitement. Ecuador is our "promise land" and we are getting so close! Thank you for teaching us, and for being patient with us. Thank you for showing us that you want to carry us through the desert, we don't have to walk through it alone! Father, we see how you have brought us through, and we praise you and give you ALL the glory! Lord, we can only imagine, what it will be like! We rejoice and cry out to you, for you are the Maker of Heaven and Earth! We love you!
I am reading a book called "The Power of Praying Through the Bible" by Stormie Omartian. It is wonderful. As I read today's passage, it made me think back on our journey towards Ecuador. She says, "walking into a closer relationship with God can be like entering your own promise land. You know it's a good place, but it's still filled with unknowns. Following Jesus doesn't mean life is going to be easy. You'll still have giants to battle, territory to claim, and work to do. But God says regarding your journey with Him, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." And the reason is because "the Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you" (Deut. 1:30)
As I look back, I can see how that is so true for us. When we first began our FUNdraising, we tried doing it our way, the easy way. We were scared about "asking people to support us." We wandered around in that "desert" for quite some time. God was just waiting for us to bring it to Him, so that He could fight the battle for us. After going to Ecuador during Spring Break, we were able to get a "taste" of what God had for us. It was so EXCITING! We prayed, Lord please show us...we don't know how to do this or what to do! He did show us. Not only did he guide us, He fought the battle for us. When we released it over to Him, the burden became light as He carried us.
It took us 15 months to get to 37%. God took us from 37% to 92% in 2 months! You see, "He already knows the unknowns. He knows about the giants. He has the battle plan. All we need to do is continually look to Him in prayer and follow His lead!" (Omartian)
Thank you Lord! We are bubbling over with excitement. Ecuador is our "promise land" and we are getting so close! Thank you for teaching us, and for being patient with us. Thank you for showing us that you want to carry us through the desert, we don't have to walk through it alone! Father, we see how you have brought us through, and we praise you and give you ALL the glory! Lord, we can only imagine, what it will be like! We rejoice and cry out to you, for you are the Maker of Heaven and Earth! We love you!
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