I Found My Words

I posted this statement on Twitter & Facebook last night: "What an AMAZING day! I'm at a loss for words. God is so crazy cool!" In a matter of minutes, I got replies and text messages asking me if I was pregnant or if Scott had gotten a new job, did I sell my car/get a new one, even people asking me about my afternoon of pampering and shopping with my girls...did I buy some fun stuff today? All of these things I would celebrate and praise God for. Without a doubt, all of these are great blessings. But no, I'm not pregnant, we are still waiting to hear on a job offer for Scott, I did not get a new car and I didn't  go on a crazy shopping spree (I did get a new Power Balance Band that's pretty cool, though.) :)

The "amazingness" actually started on Thursday. I told Scott that I feel God is about to do something BIG in our lives. I don't know specifically what this is, but I feel God telling me to continue to have peace in the waiting, He is preparing us. Our church, LifeChurch.tv Edmond Campus, hosted a Vision Night, so our family went. It was an incredible night of worship and we got to hear from our Senior Pastor, Craig Groeschel about the future of our Campus. During the worship time, I told God that I am and my family is completely surrendered to Him...whatever He asks of us, we will boldly step up to His calling. I pray this often, but it was different this time. I'm having trouble getting the words out to explain it. The best way I can explain is that maybe finally, I really meant it. Does that make sense? I think we pray and tell God things, but maybe we don't fully, deep down in our hearts mean it. We want to mean it,  and have really good intentions, but we don't actually completely give it to Him. "God use me, use my family for Your glory" I continued to pray. "Help us reach out to more people and share Your love, Lord. More of You, less of me!" As Craig spoke about our Campus Vision, I looked over at Scott and we both said, "WOW!" He whispered something to me, I agreed (something that God had obviously put on both our hearts.) The words that Craig spoke, our church's vision echoed ours: how can we reach more people for Christ, the importance of pouring into the next generation, surrounding ourselves with people that can speak into our lives, our children's lives.  BIG! Cool!

(On a side note: more than ever, Scott and I are so thankful God led us to LifeChurch! We've never been more excited to serve at our campus and are on fire for the Lord in a new and exciting way.)


Here is where the really cool stuff begins:
I walk out to get our girls and check my phone before going to the lobby to fellowship with others who came. There is a text message from a neighbor, who has no idea that we are at church at this time. She is asking me about our church and about the worship. I've talked to these neighbors so much about our church and have left countless invites for At the Movies, etc with them. Now, in God's perfect timing, our neighbors college-aged sisters who are now living with them, want to visit LifeChurch.tv with us. Very cool! 


Our family also loved getting to spend time chatting with some other believers there in the lobby after the worship & message. I got to talk to one of my favorite people in the world...someone God has put in my life this past year or so. I absolutely love anytime I get to spend with the awesome lady. I always get so much out of conversations...even brief ones. I love how she boldly speaks into my life. I got the opportunity to ask her if we could spend more time together. She agreed. I can't wait to see what God teaches me through her.


While this isn't a new thing, I woke up Friday morning so grateful that God has called me to stay at home with our girls. How cool is it that I get to spend my days educating and equipping them? Abigail gets to come to me and to Scott when she has questions about "life" instead of reaching out to a peer for answers. Day after day, I get to be Abigail & Ashby's example.  Wow! A great calling and oh so very cool! We had such a fun Friday. Scott treated his girls to mani/pedi's. A nice treat indeed! They were so well behaved in the spa...even my not quite 2 year old, Ashby! I let Abigail pick out a color for them, then they crawled up in the big chairs and sat so politely. When they were finished, the nice ladies from the spa pulled up a big chair next to me. Abigail & Ashby sat there and giggled, ooooh'd & awwww'd over their pretty toes and had snacks. Ladies in the spa were so complimentary of these two sweet girls. They commented on how well behaved they both were. One mom said, "I could never bring my 2 1/2 year old into a place like this. I'm impressed!" Another lady said to Abigail, "you are so polite and you listen to your mommy so well." Abigail's replied, "I honor my mommy. My sister does, too. We are very good girls!" I asked her why she honored her mommy. She said, "because Jesus is in my heart!" WOW! This from a mouth of a not quite 5 year old. Yes, again, COOL!


Scott decided to meet us at the mall. As he was pulling in, he saw a man carrying a gas can. He pulled up next to him and told him to get into the car and he would take him to a gas station. They talked along the way. They pulled up to a gas station and Scott told the man that he needed to fill up his car so that he would fill up his gas can for him. Scott also got to talk to this man about the love of Jesus Christ and invited this man to come to church with our family. We fully expect to see him this Sunday!


I am not bragging or trying to say that I am the best mom ever and that I have the most extraordinary kids on earth. Or that you should pat us on the back for helping someone in need. I have a point, though. It's coming! 


Here we go:
This world is not our home. We are here for a short time. If our lives are consumed with material things (a new job, a new car, a shopping trip) then friends, we are missing the point. There is so much more! When we FULLY SURRENDER our lives to Christ, let go of fear, let go of worry, let go of pride and our need for control, He is able to do more in you and through you than you could ever imagine = BLESSINGS. I cannot express how eternally grateful I am that the Lord got a hold of Scott and I when I was pregnant with Abigail. Our lives are radically different and our girls and future kids will grow up knowing and sharing Christ making an eternal difference and changing the lives of others. We are not perfect and we will still slip. After all we are all sinners. We wouldn't need a Savior otherwise. But, we are focused on God. I will not be ashamed of my faith. I will embrace being different. I will share His love in all I do...by example and through the words I speak. I will let God use me in any way He can and will remember that just because I am called to do something, doesn't mean that it will be easy.  I will remember that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 I will deny my fleshly need for control and will depend on Him more than ever.


In summary, why was Friday so amazing? I am loved and am a child of God. He gave me another day to serve Him and make a difference here on earth through Him. God has blessed me with a loving, committed and godly husband who leads this family and I honor and respect him so much.  We have two precious girls that we get to raise up to love the Lord. I get be a part of God's amazing work and let Him move in and through our lives. I am in awe of the work He is doing through my church and in and through the lives of so many of our friends and family. I know that this is just a start. I cannot wait to see more of the BIG things God has in store for us! 


I pray that the love of Christ permeates your lives. I pray that you step out in faith and let God use you. Find a church home, surround yourself with other Christians, and develop a true love relationship with God by diving into the Bible and spending time in prayer with Him.  I invite you to share some of your "crazy cool God" stories. I will continue to share as God leads me.