Open My Heart!

As usual when God is ready to teach me something big, I have had a terrible few weeks.  When I mean terrible I do not mean tragic but I mean more like irritating things that are piling up and getting under my skin.  People, stuff - you name it...I am frustrated by everyone's lack of care for the lady who makes things happen in this house...that would be me!  My birthday week hasn't always brought about such irritation, but it did this year when no one seemed grateful for me or thankful of my hard work.

So, I started out to church tonight with my three younger children in the van. A quick stop at my sister's home where we dropped of the youngest (no daycare tonight at church) into my brother-in-laws open arms. Picked up my mom, dad, and sister who rode with me and the other two children, Madisen (almost 5) and Jacob (almost 8).

Though the children were greally good throughout the service they get antsy towards the end.  Madisen wanted to know why we were not going to the front ("up there" she called it). I asked, "Why? Do you want to go up there?"
  "--Yes!! I LOVE JESUS!" She reacted.
Then I realized Andy was saying, "It's never too late, I know there are more here who need to dedicate their lives to Christ..."
So, I bent over and asked, "Is that why you want to go up there? To ask Jesus to open the door in your heart?"  (This was the explanation of open doors earlier- opening up to Jesus's love.)
   "Uh Huh" she noded, "I need Jesus!"
"So, you want to go up? Do you want mommy to go too?"
   "Oh yes please" she said politely as she gently slide her hand in mine and we began a walk that would change everything.
---at the alter----
She was restless and excited about the entire adventure happening at the alter.
She was smiling from ear to ear standing on a step waiting for her turn to tell Pastor Andy what she "needed."

Although embarrassing she had announced with a whisper from the back of the small church rows that her butt hurt and she couldn't sit down. After this declaration and 4 more louder than the first statement, many thought this trip to the alter was for healing!

When Pastor Andy walked to my princess, she stood up tall and smild wide. I (mom) gave a brief explanation and turned his attention to her. As his compassionate heart took over, he compelled her to explain it all to him. She was shy and quiet at first.
He held her hands with the oil still all over them and explained the oil he would dab on her forehead, palms, and top of her right foot. (This was also described in the sermon tonight.) Then gently told her to repeat after him. The soft sweet prayer went like this:
   "I believe   in Jesus   that He died for me   and can open   the door to my heart    and fill it with His spirit."

Then he had her turn to me and say, "Mom, I'm born again!"  She barely made out the words as she was so focused on being a big girl and takng my hands as an adult would to a child.

It was sweet like fresh honey from the comb and warmed my heart with joy! She lives with such passion and smiled bigger than any other day in her sweet 4 plus years.

Now, if I could just bottle the night, and remember REDEMPTION when I get so fed up with other people -

OK, maybe God's using a tiny person to help me out....
maybe?

Maybe even help me open my heart to some compassion ....???  hmmm.  Maybe!

Peace, Love, Hope and Joy!

New Year - Same Destiny

I hope that this year will indeed bring about the Revelation of REVOLUTION that has been spoken. 

For me, this New Year Celebration was one with anticipation of the unknown journey that lay ahead but the realization that my pursuit of God's Purpose for me was no more & no less intense.  I feel the same spiritually and I expect great things from this year.  I will not get caught up in the pursuit of happiness for happiness sake. I will continue to forge ahead in this journey of such joy and pain with no regrets. I will stick with my same goals and dreams knowing that perseverance will work in my favor in the long term.

What will this year look like? I don't pretend to know.  I will however not grow weary of my life's purpose and my joyous family that are all still relatively healthy and at peace. 

What will your year look like? Will you pick a new destiny for this year to turn your life around or will you forge ahead in your current path?

I hope you will find all the joys and sorrows of each year for what they are and what they can help you accomplish.

My journey's pain and joy have equally given me the ability to empathize and encourage others. We each have a unique story that only we can translate into a positive stepping stone to our unique destiny.

I am thankful that 2009 was a great year and equally thankful that it is over!

Congrats on Making it to 2010!
Shelley