by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
What do you do when questions fill your mind and you don’t know where to catalog them? There are no answers for them from any human being, and God isn’t quite ready to answer them.
God just moved a mountain in my life five minutes ago.
For almost two years I’ve had an image in my mind of my father’s death. For almost two years I’ve had unanswered questions as to how he died. For almost two years I’ve had one big thought cataloged: was my father killed?
I’ve went back and forth through the fight of bitterness, considering confronting the woman I thought was responsible. But every time I saw her face I was filled with fear and rage. The last time we spoke was not a good memory. It was one of the most defeating days of my life. I remember staring at her at my dad’s funeral wondering what she was thinking. My judgment assumed she was happy he was dead. Afterall, I had heard many times how much she despised him.
This last year I have spent a lot of time grieving many things in my life. But the how or what of my dad’s death has never went away. This morning God spoke to me loud and clear. It was time to do something crazy!
The last time I saw her was at my grandpa’s funeral a year ago and I swore I would never see her face again. I swore I would never speak to her again. I wasn’t sure that I could ever forgive her. But this morning I picked up the phone and called her. I was just as surprised to hear her voice as she was mine. Of course I silently begged for her not to answer so I could just get the credit from God for making the call.
She answered. This was the moment I was going to get an apology. She was going to say she was sorry for everything. We made small talk. I waited. I told her about some changes in my life that had taken place over the last year. I waited. Silence filled the conversation. Where did I go next?
“I just want to apologize for things over the last year and ask your forgiveness for any hurt I’ve caused you.” What?! That came from my mouth. That came from me! God never ceases to amaze me. This wasn’t about what I was going to get; it was about what I was going to give. I gave up my expectations and my entitlement.
We may never speak again. My answers may still go unanswered. But God is still at work.
The lyrics of this song keep going over and over in my head, He’s not finished with me yet.
by | Life Application
Today’s History Lesson…
On October 6th, 1893 Nabisco Foods invented Cream of Wheat. Why in the world would I blog about the history of the creation of Cream of Wheat? Follow with me and you will understand.
Here’s what I think of when those words come to mind:
- A smile on my mother’s face when she would get off the midnight shift, walk through the door, and meet me for breakfast. Our kitchen smelled of cinnamon toast and a warm bowl of Cream of Wheat.
- Comfort. It was so soothing on cold mornings to see the steam rolling off the top of the bowl, knowing any moment our bodies would warm up.
- Healing. It could cure a sore throat or a broken heart as a little girl who had just had a bad day.
I don’t eat it as much these days, but there’s never a moment that after seeing it in my mama’s pantry that a smile doesn’t come to my face. I’m 27 years old, but the smile that comes across my face when she puts the lumpy Cream of Wheat and warm cinnamon toast in front of me, I’m five again. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Savor these moments folks. Find comfort in the little things. They won’t always be there.
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Ten months ago I met this bamboo plant for the first time. That very same day I met Leah. They both have an interesting story.
Let’s start with “Bamboo”. When the plant made it’s home on the breakfast table in the nook of the Table Rock Freedom Center, it was just an ordinary plant. It was a bit dry, needed some attention, but it had a lot of potential. It was setting in a perfect place for the sun to give it life.
Now there’s Leah. There was an emptiness about her, she needed some attention, but she had so much potential. She was sitting in the perfect place for the son to give her life.
Today I sit back in admiration, both at the flourishing bamboo plant and Leah. God has done a mighty work in both of them. There were days the leaves of the plant turned brown, but she offered it nourishment. There were days Leah wasn’t sure if she had the strength to endure anymore hardships, but through prayer and spiritual nourishment the branches of her trees continued to bloom.
When you walk into the kitchen, “Bamboo” is one the first things you see. It has gotten so tall in the last few months. It
brings so much color to the room.
When you walk into any room that Leah’s in, you see Jesus in her. You see a beautiful woman who is no longer tied to her addiction. You see life. You see colors. You see love.
The Bamboo plant symbolizes luck and success because of its ability to grow quickly, strength and resilience. I don’t know about the whole “luck” thing. We are creations in Christ Jesus, we don’t need luck. But I completely believe in its resilience and strength – not just in the plant, but in Leah as well.
It is my honor to call her friend. The last ten months of walking by her side and seeing the transformation of Jesus in her fills my heart with joy.
Never forget the potential God has created for you. It’s up to you to go out and get it!
by | Faith Lived Out, Life Application
Digging into Psalm 63:5-6
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4PHtl_8eK4]
by | Life Application
An awesome friend gifted me with a one-hour massage. I was excited and nervous at the same time. To be honest, I am very ticklish. The thought of someone touching my feet FREAKED me out! But, I decided I would go for it.
When I saw the massage table for the first time something hit me like a ton of bricks: I HAVE TO TAKE OFF MY CLOTHES! I forgot about that small detail. So, I took a few deep breaths in the bathroom and decided I was bound and determined to enjoy this massage. Abby Lewis carefully directed me in the steps she would be taking, let me know in her smooth, calming voice that we could talk about whatever topic we wanted to, and that I didn’t need to be nervous. Right… I’m lying naked under a blanket, knowing at any moment she will be touching my feet, and there’s no need to be nervous. Hmm..
That’s where it ends folks! No, not the massage – my worry, stress, ticklish nerves, and ability to focus on anything but the heaven I was in at that present moment. Oh My Goodness! Not only did my feet survive, I was finding myself wondering how she could possible expect me to carry on a conversation. I was trying desperately not to drool!
Needless to say the massage was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Thank you to Abby Lewis. Contact her today and book your massage.
by | Life Application
Did You Know?
- The #1 fear of most parents today is that their children will be abused and/or kidnapped. Thousands are abducted and disappear daily.
- Hundreds of thousands of young women and children in the United States and around the world are being sold as sex slaves.
- Atlanta, Georgia is the #1 city in the Nation for child sex trade – little girls as young as 11 are abducted, sold into prostitution, and forced to perform sexual acts for profit.
- Sex Slave Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Billions of dollars are profited yearly.
Today I made a new friend, Rebecca from Rahab’s Rope. Rebecca had an inspiring story to say the least. At 60 years old God called her into this ministry to help rescue girls from human trafficking. Rebecca sold everything she had, except for her car and devoted the rest of her life to helping these women. In Mark 10:21 Jesus said, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Rebecca did just that.
Rebecca told me some saddening news today. She told me the United States is the third largest human trafficking location in the world. Am I the only one that makes sick? We are the United States of America! We are supposed to stand on Freedom. We are supposed to be the richest nation in the world. What is happening to the world today?
She told me the story of a 10-year old girl abducted on the corner of a small Georgia town who was sold into sex slavery and raped up to 40 times per day. Her innocence was completely taken from her. We ended the conversation with a smile and a friendly goodbye. I walked to my car. I ate lunch. I chit chatted with friends. Meanwhile, some innocent girl is being abducted and forced into a world of crazy darkness.
For more information on the sex trafficking industry and what you can do to help, visit their website for more information.
The above information was researched from the Internet, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Salvation Army website.
