Recently Shannon and I started attending a new church in Mt. Juliet called Joy Church International. We have been members of Cornerstone Church in Nashville for 5 years and we absolutely loved it- before Emme Blu made her debut. After Emme came along, we realized that we needed to find a place closer to our home, community, Emme's school friends, etc. if we realistically wanted to continue going to church. I desire Emme to be a part of a good youth group where she can mingle with her friends from school as well. Cornerstone (on a good day) was a 45 minute drive for us. I knew that there would come a time for us to have to take her and drop her off at church when we wouldn't be going (youth events, etc.) and I knew that 45 minute drive would get tiresome. So anyhow, we set out on a journey this Winter (one must realize we rarely get to attend church together- meaning this process was going to take awhile) to find a place that we would like as well as Cornerstone. It took like what seemed an eternity! I was just about ready to give up when my neighbor Mendy (who just happened to be looking for a new church too) called me one Saturday night and said, "I think I found the church!" I really didn't think she could have found it (we visited some D-E-A-D churches) but I was willing to try it. She was right, it's a great church, and I'm so happy that we have a new home.
Anyway, I said all that to write about this: 5 Transforming Truths. Last Wednesday night in our service, out Pastor was out of town and asked a member of the church to give her testimony. Her testimony was heartbreaking, touching, encouraging, and so much more, but the part that struck me was the 5 Transforming Truths that carried her through her darkest hours.
Most interesting, I can relate to those truths. After college, I began a soul-searching journey (some by choice, some not) in order to get my life back together. No, I wasn't struggling with anything life-altering, I was just angry, lost, unsure, sad, and lonely. Most people who know me well, know why. Nothing I did could control any of those emotions. And through my journey I realized that. I'm not perfect now, but I'm better. I work hard everyday to be a better person than I was the day before. I never wanted to teach children, I wanted to coach- and quite frankly, I was a good one- but that's not me now. I'm a teacher, I have compassion for children, I like doing Silly Willy Moves Through The Alphabet and going on Bear Hunt's! What in the world happened? I'm not sure, but I do know it didn't happen over night.
Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." That's where it all begins.
1. Renew your mind.
There's your start you were waiting on. Accept it, leave it, and move on. It's time for a change. Renew, your mind.
2. Forgiveness.
Why is this so hard? Asking someone for forgiveness might be the hardest thing a person can ever do. Humbling yourself to the point that you mean it is so tough. Ugh, I still struggle with this.
3. Move forward.
Have you ever heard the saying "Let Go and Let God?" That's what this means. Don't you want to experience all the good things God has in store for you? Well, you can't if you're still thinking "Woe is me." Get to packing, you're on a new journey now.
4. Be patient.
Oopsy. This might be where I slide off-track. Patience? Who has patience? I might be the worst patience person ever. I'm learning (only because I have a 20 month old) but it's not easy. Most often our timing is certainly not what God has in mind. Almost always though, it's because something even better than what we imagined is waiting.
5. Accept restoration.
You got it, now embrace it. I have people in my life that I know, who could win 1 million dollars and they would still sit around an complain about something. What's up with that? Not that money solves the world's problems, but it sure helps! No really, when you receive a blessing, get happy and keep the momentum!
Can you relate to all this? It was just one of those Ahh-Haa moments for me that I thought I would share. Until the next update....Love you Bunches!
