Another Year...

Dear Nanny,

It's so hard to believe it has been 6 years since the last time I talked with you. Six years since your last bit of advice. Six years since called me out for not standing up straight. I miss it. I miss you. While time has healed a little, it has by no means stitched up the wound to where there's no scar. It's still there. It hurts often. It hurts more often now that I live alone and am not in constant camaraderie with others. It hurts especially hard now that I can't go visit for the first time in 6 years. It was always our little secret. I would sneak away from life for a few hours, bring you a purple orchid, and sit and tell you about life.

Life is good. Life is busy, but that's the way I prefer it. I work with people that I love, and serve the Lord in my job. I know you would be proud of the ways things have turned out. I hate that you didn't get to see my high school or college graduation. That you never saw me play basketball in college. I know you would have been so excited when I signed to play. You were always my biggest fan and toughest critic. One of the many things I got from you is you honesty. My friends can attest to that! But I also got your sincerity. I pray that people know how much I care just by the words I say. That they can hear my heart. That was one of the things I loved about you.

Another thing I loved was your wealth of knowledge. I was enthralled by your stories of our family. You always shared my passion for Appalachian history. I miss so badly how you could connect me to almost any person in the room through our family tree. I mean, we are from East TN, right?! Everyone's related.

All the above is just my own heartache and selfishness, because I know that you are doing great. The best you can be, actually. I mean, you're with the Lord!!! Hello! That's be best it can get! I love you and miss you incredibly. I can only hope I'm making you proud.

Jessica

Before my 8th grade prom. I'm her look-alike.

All the grandkids about 4 years ago.

Your Story...

We all have different stories, different testimonies. For Christians, these usually consist of how we came to know the Lord and how our lives have been transformed through knowing Him. Some stories tell tales of overcoming addiction, divorce or some other tough situation. Some stories, though, outline a great childhood of growing up in the church seemingly knowing Christ from a young age. Oftentimes, the folks in the later situation downplay their testimony because it doesn't seem a hold a candle to overcoming drugs and an abusive family. They think since their life doesn't show a stark difference between before coming to know the Lord and after. That their story is somehow lesser of a journey. So not true!

See, all Christians before knowing the Lord were dead. We all were. Period. I don't see how a horrible life situation can compare to being dead. Not just dead, but eternal separation form our Creator. But, in surrendering to Christ, we become alive. That's something to celebrate! Something to share. Not matter what the world says about your life, your hardships, and your story, know that you were once DEAD and Christ has made you ALIVE. He has redeemed all who choose to follow Him. Now that's a story!!!


*I'll step off my soapbox now. This is just something that I hear all too often and felt like addressing.

Be Where You Are...

This is from a post I did at the CentriKid Blog.

Don’t be so focused on what’s ahead that you’re useless where you are. Where you are is where the Lord has placed you. Of course we all have future plans and aspirations, but that doesn’t negate our purpose where we currently are.

This is something I have trouble remembering. I am always looking ahead at the future and planning accordingly. In doing so, I often miss out on great opportunities in my daily life. I miss out on investing in long-term ministry projects because I don’t know where I will be in a year or two. Sometimes, I don’t take time to really love people and listen to their stories because my mind tends to be thinking ahead and overlooking what is happening now. I get so busy that once I finally stop, I get overwhelmed in the fact that I don’t know my next move. It is in these moments where I have to remember that the Lord knows my heart and my path. He has it all under control. He knows where I am going to be and when I am going to be there. Daily, I have to make a conscious effort to remember that God knows me better than I know myself.

This morning I was reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It was just want I needed to hear.

“I am leading you along the high road, but there are descents as well as ascents. In the distance you see snow-covered peaks glistening in the brilliant sunlight. Your longing to reach those peaks is good, but you must not take shortcuts. Your assignment is to follow Me, allowing Me to direct your path. Let the heights beckon you onward, but stay close to Me.

Learn to trust Me when things go “wrong.” Disruption to your routine highlight your dependence on Me. Trusting acceptance of trials brings blessings that far outweigh them all. Walk hand in hand with Me though this day. I have lovingly planning every inch of the way. Trust does not falter when the path becomes rocky and steep. Breathe deep draughts of My Presences, and hold tightly to My hand. Together we can make it!” – Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

Anticipation...

I'm sitting here in my apartment exactly 24 hours (and 8 minutes) before I meet my 2012 CentriKid team. I have the unsettled stomach of when you are about to leave for vacation or when your best friend is about to come visit. I have been praying for these 30ish staffers for months now. Even with no names to pray for, I've been praying that the Lord will use them to spread to Gospel to 6500 kids. I prayed that they would love the kids, that they would mesh together into one CK6 family, that they would be sure of what they believe, and that they would pour into kids and adults from the overflow of the heart. I've been lifting them up for months. Now, it's almost time to meet them. To invest in them. To teach them. To be challenged by them. And to be their biggest cheerleader. I can't wait to get to know their hearts; hear their struggles; and share in their triumphs. I can't wait to love on them and be encouraged by them. I know they will do great things for the Kingdom of God.

As I am waiting in anticipation, I know their are 15 other Camp Directors and Assistant Directors feeling the same. Would you please join in lifting them and their teams up in prayer.