it’s His story…

Have you ever had a day that you realize you are actually awake?  You feel like maybe you haven’t been so awake lately… just going through the motions.  Well, today I felt more awake and it felt good.  The last few weeks of vacation have really made me realize that the past months I have just been going through the motions.  I have been slowly waking up over the past month or so but today when I saw my kids at church, I was me again.  I fell in love with those kids.  They restored my hope, my childlike faith, and just the happiness in my heart that only kids can give you.
Andy Stanley started a new series called “Listen and Learn” based on 2 Chronicles 18:1-8, 12-17, 25-34..  Well, I listened to Andy and I definitely learned.  Here are some highlights…
- What and who you listen to will influence what you do.  (Common sense & simple, yet something we don’t pay attention to!)
- There’s no division in the areas of your life to pray about it- pray about it all and FIRST SEEK COUNSEL OF THE LORD!
- It’s clearly obvious to others who I’m listening to.
- Saying that we are being careful or cautious doesn’t change the fact that we are taking the wrong path.  (So true!)
- Isn’t it true that the ones we avoid the most are the ones we really need to listen to?  We just don’t want to because we know they’ll tell us what we don’t want to hear!  (I can’t count the number of times!)
- God is gracious to me because He sends people into my life to speak truth to me!  (Thank you God!)  I just have to be open to hear what they are saying!

I know that if I LISTEN, God will radically redirect my life!  And I pray I have the courage to do it!
Tomorrow, a few questions to ponder…

Do you have headphones on that are filtering and preventing you from hearing reality?  Are you really listening? 

I didn’t realize that people actually read my blog.  Yesterday, two people told me that they do… and old friend and a new one.  Wow.  Thanks for making me feel special!
There are so many things that I’ve meant to blog about.  So many amazing experiences the last few weeks and months.
So, I’m about to play catch up and I’m excited about it.  I feel like I am getting my life back… creating the life I want and doing the things I’m passionate about.  And writing is one of those.  Along with sharing about what God is doing in this life of mine.
Stay tuned and look back to see what’s new in the past days.
Much love.

So, it ended.  A time in my life that I forgot who I was and let the world consume me… a job consume me.  I told myself I’d never become a work-aholic but I did.  A friend brought it to my attention that I always have been but I guess this time I actually saw that I was.  But it has ended now. 
I was traveling a lot for work and in the beginning, it was exciting and fun.  I got to see palm trees and beach regularly- who could complain?  Well, it started to wear on me… big time.  When I was home, I was either doing paperwork or too tired to have a life.  I started to realize towards the end that I just wasn’t made to be that person.  And everyone around me noticed too.
This week I had an amazing week.  I met with my small group (great way to start my week!) and then left for the mountains on Tuesday for work.  On the drive up, I listened to Fracis Chan’s message called “A thing called Love”.  Wow.  I was blown away for the second time by this message.  I can’t say it enough… I had the most amazing week with Jesus in the mountains.  God was totally preparing me for what was next.
I got the call around 2pm- I was driving home from SC.  As soon as they started talking, I knew what was coming.  I no longer have a job.  I was shocked.  The past few weeks, I was really making the best of it and totally handed it over to God- I was doing my best for Him.  And it was taking me 10-12 hours of work a day. 
I hung up the phone.  I exhaled.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  Everyone I’ve spoken to says I’m too happy.  I just got my life back… shouldn’t I be happy?!
A few weeks ago, I told God that I would be obedient.  If this was where He wanted me, I was going to shine for Him.  No matter how unhappy I was.  As soon as I gave up trying to control it, He changed my circumstances.  And although I was still traveling and now working harder than I had been, I was enjoying it because I refocused my energy.  He gave me this last week in the mountains to prepare me. 
I couldn’t have been in a better place- mentally and emotionally and God totally put me there.  I have faith.  I have faith that God is working out His plan.  I just have to be willing and obedient.  Francis Chan said that most people don’t really want to know God’s will for their life… Tuesday I told God I did.  I know that He has so much more planned for me and I wasn’t in that place.  So He gave me a gift.  And I know that much more is coming and I can’t wait to see what it is.
A verse I read morning and night this week… 
… But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  -Matthew 6:33-34

Do you need to re-focus?  Are you seeking Him first?

Grace For The Moment
Max Lucado

The Verdict
Jesus said [to her], “I also don’t judge you guilty. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:11
If you have ever wondered how God reacts when you fail, frame the words [of that verse] and hang them on the wall. Ponder them…
Or better still, take Him with you to your canyon of shame. Invite Christ to journey with you… to stand beside you as you retell the events of the darkest nights of your soul.
And then listen. Listen carefully. He’s speaking… “I don’t judge you guilty.” And watch. Watch carefully. He’s writing. He’s leaving a message.
Not in the sand, but on a cross.
Not with His hand, but with His blood.
His message has two words: Not guilty