I can't believe we've passed the half-way mark. Although I want a soft drink more than I thought I would, I think I want to extend my lenten sacrifices and "doings" the entire year. I want to make them new year's resolutions instead. I want to make these activities my life's main event. I love it when people say they were atheist, agnostic or something other than Christian and hear their conversion stories. They are beautiful examples of how God works in our hearts. God can do this with lots of things. I remember going to a bible study with a friend who belonged to a different denomination than I and at the end of several sessions I would be so shaken faithfully that I would end up in tears and question what I had been taught my entire life. My faith had really, up until that point, been what I was taught by my parents and teachers at school. A lot of it was what I was told and I trusted it to be fact. And then I called a friend to talk to her and explain what I was feeling. She was Catholic at one time and I guess converted and now attended a non-denominational church. She is one of my prayer warriors when I seriously have to call on someone to pray with me and for me. She's knowledgable about scripture and full of faith. She said to me "if you are feeling this way (crying) at the end of the study, then it's not right for you. Bible study should leave you wanting more, yearning for His word." It may not have been those exact words, but she said "if God wants something to happen in your life, mentally dismiss it and if it keeps returning then that is God urging you." "He will tug on your heart strings until it happens." I sat with my priest, read books about Catholicism and Christianity - I knew I was where God needed me to be and I'm still learning and still journeying toward getting to know Him better each year.
The Main Event in our lives will be when we see His face "again." For now we have to settle for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. It's always the most wonderful time, I wish we had two days off for Easter like we do Christmas. That would be grand. (I used to have Good Friday and Easter Monday off at LSU - what a lucky blessing that was. SIGH...)
WOW. It's so much fun to teach Claire about Easter and Jesus. She's learning so quickly, I need to learn to be more prepared to teach her when she starts asking questions. She already knows the Our Father and was singing Kierie Eleison on Sunday afternoon, it was so cute. It melts my heart that she already asks me to say her prayers with her and she loves going to Children's Church when we're in Donaldsonville. I am also amazed when she sings secular music as well because we listen to Christian music in the car or Disney. Her brain is a little sponge and she's soaking it all in. I have to be a good example for her. I have to think about what she will be like as an adult. It won't end with her.
I love getting dressed up for Church on Easter Sunday more than any day of the year. My heart is just so full that day. It's the fulfillment of the promise. What a glorious day...truly it is the main event.
POINT TO PONDER: God wants to resurrect you in some specific way.
For me I think he did this before Lent started. For me, I think this started back in September when I was fighting with the devil for the "Gwen" that people new and loved. The person that I had become was someone that I didn't like and I'm so grateful for Nicole Ducharme, who I think was the trigger for me. She gave me Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and it changed my life. That along with the Bible App on my phone from You Version. Together they changed how I spend my day/morning. It's the first thing I do when I wake up - pray and mediate and speak to my God about things.
VERSE TO LIVE: "You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth....He is risen. He is not here." Mark 16:6
WOW - profound yet so simple.
QUESTION TO CONSIDER: What area of your life needs resurrection right now?
For me I think it's bringing Jesus back into my marriage. It's not that He's not there, it's just He's not part of a tridium with Carey and I as He should be. I think that will take some work. I pray for Carey's heart to be more open. It's opened up since we got married but I'd like to see it really blossom.
PRAYER: Jesus, unleash the power of your resurrection. Resurrect the area of my life that most needs it today. (and everyday) - I added that part.
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