Ahh Haa Moments

Today in church, Pastor Scott was talking about 'Ahh haa' moments...you know, those moments where suddenly everything makes sense and things seem clearer. He focused the message on Saul's meeting with God, which is found in Acts 9:1-19.

Saul was minding his own business, well he was actually on his way to find more followers of Christ and more than likely arrest or stone them. It was on the road that God got a hold of Saul and as Pastor Scott said,it was like God reached down and smacked Saul on the back of the head, knocking him to the ground, so He could get his attention. Saul is asked audibly by Jesus, why he's persecuting Him, to which Saul asks who is talking to him. Saul is then told that he should continue to the city and he would be told what to do next. The men that were with Saul had to lead him to the city, because he was struck blind. When he got to the city, he fasted for three days.

Pastor Scott brought up an interesting point, something that I had never thought of before when I read this story; the Eastern world view. The men that were with Saul, didn't run in fear from a voice that came from nowhere, instead they were still there to help Saul get to the city. Those in the Eastern part of the world, expect the spiritual...while here in the Western part, we're shocked when things that can't be explained happen. Why is that? Why is it that we're so surprised when someone is healed from cancer or some other disease?

Our God is so amazing that no one word can describe Him; even the word amazing does notdo Him justice. Why shouldn't He be able to heal someone from a disease? Is He not the creator of everything? Sometimes I think we get too comfortable in our own little box and we get stuck in a rut. We go to church, but for what? Do we go expecting great things or out ofobligation or the feeling that we have to? For some, it's because their parents say they have to, for others, it's their spouse. What would happen if this mind set changed? What if we went to churchexpecting great things? What if we went because we wanted to? What if we went because we wanted to worship our awesome God with fellow Christ followers?

I think it's time for us to stop being so comfortable in church...comfortable in our worship...comfortable in our faith. It might be hard, but no one said that being a follower of Christ was going to be easy. James says in James 1:2-3 12, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

The journey of one who follows Christ is not going to be an easy one, but we are never going to have to go through it alone. God will always be there. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20b,"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

As Pastor Scott said,'Sometimes we fast after having an ahh haa moment, but maybe we should fast in order to receive an ahh haa moment.'

I'm ready to become uncomfortable and I'm waiting to see what God has in store for me. Have I had my ahh haa moment yet? I've had some little ones, but I'm not giving up and I'm going to live each day, expecting the spiritual. I don't want to be shocked when someone is healed, I want to be able to proclaim that it was the power of God that did it...nothing to be shocked about, just blessed and humbled.

*Thank You, God for showing me things that I need to change in my life and things that I need to let go of. I fail You each day and will until the end of time, but I know that You are constant and Your love for me is never ending, so I thank You for loving me, even when I don't deserve it. Help me become uncomfortable in my box, help me see You in everything. Show me the plans You have for my life, I'm waiting on You. I love You, Father and I am truly blessed to be Your daughter. In Jesus' name, Amen.*

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was this past Sunday and our pastor spoke about how Mother's Day started and talked about Hannah. His focus was about Hannah and the characteristics that she displays through difficult circumstances. Hannah displayed trust, patience and love even when things were not going well for her and because she did this, God blessed her greatly.

Hannah's characteristics of trust, patience and love are the characteristics that I see in those women I look up to; one of those women in particular is my Mom.

I know that I am blessed and sometimes I think I take that for granted, no...I know I take it for granted. When I was young, my Mom had to work and since my sister, Katie was the only one old enough to go to school, I was left in the care of a woman who is like my second Mom; my Aunt Wilma. The memories I have of spending time with Aunt Wilma are all good, of course, I'm sure I gave her some attitude at some point, but being with her there was never a dull moment...unless we were napping. :) Even though my Mom had to work, she was still very much a part of my life.

During my school years, my Mom was there; helping me understand that I shouldn't listen to what some big kids say (especially if it means climbing on the toilet seats), watching my debut performance in my 1st grade play (and not being able to help me when I fell off the stage), being involved in my classroom as much as possible, driving for field trips, cooking for class parties and being there for other kids too.

I believe that I was blessed by being able to share my Mom with others, not just with my three siblings, but with the other kids at school and church. It may sound weird to talk about sharing my Mom, but I know that there were many kids at school and church that either didn't have a good relationship with their moms or their mom wasn't in the picture...so, in a way, my Mom became like a second mom.

Our house was always open to those who needed a place to stay and my parents were always there to listen. This did not mean that they failed to give their own kids attention or listen to their problems. I think that my relationship with my parents is a special one. Conversations around our house were never dull and there was nothing that was off limits to talk about; like sex, drugs or alcohol.

Things are definitely different now that I'm no longer a teenager, but my relationship with my Mom hasn't changed that much. Of course, we've matured a lot in the things we talk about and our discussions have evolved from talking about cooties to more important things in life, but she's still there when I need to vent about something or when I need some godly advice. The one thing that hasn't changed is that I'm still sharing her with other people and I'm still okay with that. :)

I love my Mom and I know that although we've had our ups and downs and everyday has not been filled with rainbows and butterflies; she loves me and I love her. I don't know what I'd do without her and I can't wait for my kids (if that's God's will for my life) to be able to spend time with her. She is someone that I look up to and strive to be like; a woman who has godly characteristics and strives to do what God wants for her life.

That's my Mom and if it's God's will, I hope I'll be half the mom that she is to my own kids.

*Thank you, Mama for everything that you've done for me and still doing for me. I am SO blessed to have you as my Mom! Even though our relationship is not, nor will it be perfect, it's one that has taught me so much and I'm still learning. I love you, Mama!

(My Mom, Grandma and Aunt...three of the most important women in my life!)