I went on a short trip this past weekend, nothing was really different except that I was more aware of the poeple around me. I flew by myself on the way there, I was seated next to a lady that worked in Oak Ridge. We spoke about our kids, hers grown and they just bought a convertible, mine very much still at home :) She was going to Washington to head up a panel for Homeland security scholarships. She was very interesting and well versed in the college scholarship dos and don'ts, very encouraging with my son's pending career as an undercover CIA/chef choice. We laughed and talked the whole time it was nice.
Washington is beautiful... something drew me even from the air. I have moved it up in my top 5 palces to visit even though I only saw one concourse of the extremely large airport, I am hooked.
on the second leg of my trip I met another girl. She too, has been running a million miles an hour in the wrong direction. It's funny, she had the outer package: young, beautiful, bright eyes, christian book in hand but, still very lost in all of the pain she feels. I instantly identified with her, we talked, shared, laughed and shed a few tears on that 56 min. flight. It was oddly refreshing for me. I left knowing she would be OK, but also knowing she had some long road ahead until she would be willing to forgive. Oh, how I wish there was a short cut to healing, you know, without the acess pain.
I sat around all weekend, shopped a little, ate alot! and slept in. My vacation was well used :)
On the way home I listened to my IPOD, the lady next to me was SICK as a DOG (hack, hack, cough, cough!) YUK!!! We did speak a little and it was nice. I just was reminded that people are willing to talk IF we are willing to listen (really listen). I found that I was blessed by just knowing something about my sky-high friends that mattered to them. For those of you that know me, you know that I LOVE to talk but this weekend, I loved and learned, a little better, how to listen.

I met a girl

I met a girl just the other day,
she didn't really have much to say.
It didn't matter because I knew
Jesus was there, she had made the first move.
she finally found a safe place to rest
and gain the strength to start cleaning up the mess.
she can't say exactly where it went wrong
but now through Jesus she sees her life song
It's funny to hear her say things of the past
those things were done and will not last.
I think she's committed to make a change deep inside
and I want to help and walk beside.
Not too long ago, that was me.
maybe a little different to just see,
but deep inside we've all been there.
Desolate, hurting and in despair.
Until one day, someone walks into our life,
lends a hand, putting an end to all of the strife.
See, it's the same story of all the ages,
written, I'm sure on millions of journal pages.
It never grows dull when I get to see,
God come for His children through the feet of you and me.
I hope to meet another girl.
and help her see the hidden pearl.
The pearl that changes everything
and once again allows our hearts to sing.

That's our calling too!

"As kingdom citizens live their lives together, actually loving one another... such a community- whether it is a family, a few believers in a neighborhood, a network of business people, or a church congreation- makes a persuasive statement to an onlooking world that the kingdom, indeed is among them. The message of the knigdom is ampligied as its citizens live out their unique calling in community. As they do, the kingdom grows."

"...to live not according to the culture... but according to God's rule in (our) their hearts."
(both of these quotes are from, "The Insider", by: Jim Petersen & Mike Shamy)

John 17:4 "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."

That's our calling too! This is what Jesus said in prayer with God and if we are joint heirs in Christ... this too, is our calling as beloved children of God. So, as I am working this all out in my head I think about my unique calling ( what is it excatly - how does it play out in the world) and am I bringing God glory by completing the work He gave me to do? Are you?

Tonight, I was privileged enough as to watch as a precious child of God stepped out of his own comfort into the "stretching" of God's calling.

I think we all get comfortable in our little fortresses of safety barriers. We learn as we grow up that the world hurts and from that, we begin the unhealthy practice of retreating into our self-built fortresses for protection from hurtful words, actions or memories. As we grow in age, sometimes we do the work to break out and live outside those walls knowing that we are vulnerable, yet trusting God at His almighty word...

(Jer. 29 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and will bring you back from captivity).
(Gal. 5 - 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery).
(Gal 5 - 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love).

And sometimes we start to come out, only to receive such pain that we retreat away, and make a declaration to our hearts that never again will we allow pain like that in again. I have said it, and I believed it for a long time. Sometimes my heart still tries to convince me that I would be better off seeking refuge in my fortress.

I believe this is one of satan greatest victories over God's children... for us to believe a life in bondage (living in a fortress) is better than loving without limits. Oh, how it pains me for each soul out there dying a little each day because of this lie. Loving will hurt at some point and time, it's a fact. However, we can trust God and believe that...

(1 Peter 4 - 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed).
(Romans 8 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose).

Tonight, I saw a beloved child of God choose to have faith and step out into the world again. It doesn't matter what happens now, because now, he knows the price of living shut off and closed down in a fortress. He has chosen life in freedom, paid for by Christ, in His life, death and victorious resurrection.

(Romans 5 - 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us). SEE... BOUGHT AND PAID FOR!

I was blessed many times tonight. I guess, I never tire seeing Jesus building His kingdom through His hands and feet here on earth.

(Isa.6 - 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me)!

I think we all struggle with "issues", our past or thorns in our sides. We all have many reasons we could use as, why NOT to go... we only need one to just do it... God created us to go and make disciples. Here am I (all of me) send me!

(Matt. 28 - 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age).

Thank you Jesus, that you pick us up out of the mire and bless us with the ability to extend, to another, the same hand that picked us up... Thank you for being full-circle.