With Much Gratitude and Devotion

This morning, I can breathe again.

My heart is beating normally. A dark, heavy cloud has been lifted off my life. We officially transferred our church membership this past weekend. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but to us, it was an epic move. We’ve spent nearly a year healing and at times hashing it all out. We are still wounded, but mending. There is no doubt this is the right place for us to serve.

I want to shout from the mountaintop- “Thank You Lord”. Since I don’t live near a mountain, I will write it in a letter.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the big things, but mostly for the small ones. The little things mean so much to us humans. Thank you for providing a safe haven for us as we sort out our service to you. Thank you for a pastor who takes the time for coffee and conversation. Thank you for giving him insight and knowledge; the ability to focus on our baggage so we can move forward. Thank you for providing wisdom in his words, and love in his heart. Thank you for his wife, Lord, full of love and grace. Thank you for Christian friends who have come alongside us, sticking around and not disappearing when things don’t look or feel good. Thank you, Lord, for your promises and our redemption. Thank you for allowing us to remain in your presence despite our sin and ourselves. Thank you for churches with open arms and nurturing hearts and the ability to focus on the entire body of believers who pass through their doors. Most of all, Thank You for Jesus, without whom none of this would be possible.

With much gratitude and devotion, 

Your Humble Servant

 

 

Bowing at the throne, I feel a sense of peace washing over me.  There is so much freedom in the truth. There is so much wisdom in turning the other cheek. There is so much hope in the future.  There is so much strength in letting go. There is a lot of release with walking away.

Maybe you need to walk away from something?

Is there a toxic relationship holding you back as you worship?

Are there fears strangling you in your thoughts?

Are you serving the Father or the man?

Are you working for a relationship with Christ, only to feel disposed of by people?

I am here to tell you, the moment you are made to feel disposable is the moment you walk away. It may be for a moment, or it may be forever. Walking away allows us to regroup with Jesus, prayerfully asking for direction.

Let me softly speak these words to your heart. People are not commodities who can be thrown out like the trash. We are not items to be used, drained of our usefulness and thrown in a corner like last years tennis shoes.  As Christians, we are to provide mercy, grace, forgiveness and unconditional love to every human that crosses our path, no matter what they have-or don’t have- to offer us.  My encouragement for you today is to evaluate your expectation of others, and the expectation others have of you.

By remembering we are all here to serve a purpose to Him, we can serve one another well.