Christmas came early

When I was a little Lettie, my family would often have people knock on the doors in the neighborhoods trying to witness to people.  I just didn't get that at the time, they were usually Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses.  All I did know for sure was that we weren't to talk to them but to avoid them at all costs.  This was never the case with Catholics (I was Lutheran when I was tiny and then an Assembly of God girl beginning in 3rd grade) or Methodists.  I've always wondered why that was the case.  What I suspect is that my parents were raised in a time when differences in people weren't celebrated, but feared.  I on the other hand have an incredible curiousity about people who are different than myself.  Everything from cultural celebrations to spiritual beliefs. 

I've not always been the person who wanted to invite the door knockers inside of my home.  At one point in my early 20's I would say 'I'm a born again Christian, okay?' Obviously I wasn't very inviting and they'd leave politely.  Then something happened.  I was at church one day and overheard a man telling about all he'd learned about different faiths just by asking respectful questions.  I had a 'why didn't I think of that??' kind of moment and I changed.  Pretty incredible, but if you know me in person it would probably make sense.  So shortly after I chatted with God about this change in heart I was blessed by two young Mormon guys who came to my door one day.  I was so excited I couldn't stand to wait for them to knock!!  I waited on the porch for them to walk up and we talked.  It was an awesome conversation where I learned the differences in our faith/walks.  When they left we said we'd pray for each other.  Respectfully, I told them I felt like they were missing the greatest piece of Christianity, the Holy Spirit.  I explained how charming He is, how kind and patient.  They weren't too interested, but to this day I pray those two young men went to home to look up what I was talking about.  And if not, a seed was planted.  At least a month ago I'd gone to the grocery store and when I returned my hubby said 'Oh, you missed it, some people came to the door wanting to talk about God'.  I was like 'Were they Jehovah's Witnesses???' He looked at me like I was nuts and said he wasn't sure but they'd left a tract.  You would've thought Christmas came early!  Then he said he'd told them I'd probably love to talk with them and they could come back when they were in the area again.  I kissed my hubby with joy and gratitude and waited. 

Two weeks later a woman and her husband show up on my doorstep.  Both children were at school and we chatted.  I kept asking them about their faith trying to figure out what the differences were and I told them what I was trying to figure out.  They kept trying to tell me how great their faith is, but I wasn't hearing them.  I simply wanted to know what I was supposed to have feared all those years.  I fully believe that I need to confront my fears with God or Satan will latch on to them.  The wife left me with a little book, I'm sure you've seen them, and asked if she could return.  Of course I said yes and they left but I was frustrated.  Based on everything they'd said I couldn't figure out what was worth stashing the children away when they knock on doors.  I decided I was going to do as much research as I could before they returned.  I wanted to be prepared and knowledgeable.  Can't you just hear God laughing?  ;) I'd sought out information but wasn't getting any feedback, of course the doors were blocked, God just wanted me to come to Him.  But I didn't.  So today they came back again, it's been three weeks since we've tried to get together and something always came up.  We talked for a very long time and about all kinds of things.  We read the bible together and we challenged each other as to what specific scriptures were telling us.  I reinterated that I wasn't changing my belief system, that it's the core of my being and I wasn't trying to change theirs, just understand it.  I asked so many questions, I felt like my five year old.  Then it happened.  I had clarity.  I heard the difference.  I asked more questions and I felt bold with soldiers at my back.  I knew they were there.  There was no question of me backing down, I began talking about spiritual healing, prophecy and the POWER of the blood of Jesus.  It was incredible.  I was respectful and I'm prayerful even in this moment that these women who were raised  Catholic, who know about Jesus and the trinity will go home and reflect on what came out of my mouth today.  That they will seek answers to the questions that they had about me and why I'm different than them.  I am on fire with a passion for them to know more about the power of God.  Not just God, but all the parts of Him. 

God did give me a Christmas present today.  He let me know that He will equip me as I go.  I can't say that this is new information to me, but something that I needed to be reminded of.  He is everything that I need, I always love Him.  Always.  I have a spirit of gratitude and thank Him for anything and everything that comes to mind.  But the level of respect I have for Him in this moment is incredible.  I pray that I made Him proud.

Quality Time

Today was a great day.  I had to write that somewhere and ask you to be a witness to my day of joy.  I had the pleasure of connecting with a few wonderful women in my life that I rarely get to talk with.  And all of those conversations had God as the focus.  My most favorite kind of days.  If I could talk about God and the glorious things He has done in my life all day long that would be, well, Heaven.  I guess I'll have to wait to experience that kind of never ending joy, but that I had a glimpse of it today simply *rocks*.

WWF

It's been a mighty long time since I've written.  I'd love to say I've been finding the cure to cancer or something profound, but truly I've been living a normal life... probably much like you.  :) November was incredibly busy.  I traveled or had guests every weekend that month.  What may sound crazier is that I was in a blissful state.  My sister and I took our daughters to NYC to do the American Girl thing.  My daughter has always loved everything animal while my niece has always loved dolls and is very girly.  My plan was to purchase a doll for my niece and if my daughter was interested I'd get her one, too.  But she had to be really interested, not just wanted them for their pets if ya know what I mean.  Well, it was quite the sight to see my girl fall in love with (drum roll, please) Felicity. 

Another weekend we traveled to Philadelphia to visit a girlfriend and her daughter.  It was a really, really nice day and it was difficult to leave after such a short visit.  She is just one of those people that God has put in my life who is absolutely precious to me.  We've been through a lot of spiritual growth together.  She's one of the (literally) few people in my life that I can speak of deep spiritual matters with and in the same conversation talk about how great it would be if our husband's could listen to us like our girlfriends do.

In the midst of living some mighty great days, I've also had struggles.  God has revealed to me another thing He is breaking me free from and I'm struggling with it.  Even as I write that I wonder how on earth that is possible.  The creator and lover of my soul wants to help me and I'm battling Him.  I feel like I should be a WWF wrestler, ya know?  But, to me this is a biggie.  One of those relationships in my life that has defined me and I've given it too much authority in my life.  I don't know what my new normal will be like when this is resolved.  I know that resolution is coming, I have strong faith in that.  I believe that He will finish the work He has started and that it wouldn't have been brought up if He didn't plan on changing it.  I also know that He works all things out for my good.  I can say without hesitation that I have the gift of faith in my walk with God. 

Recently God has also been showering me with blessings.  I'm pretty blown away by the enormity of how He displays His heart for me.  That He loves me so much that He would allow me to truly have the desires of my heart, that no one but Him knows about.  Then there's just plain out gratitude for the things that I have.  For example I've got a dishwasher. A washing machine for my clothes and a dryer to dry the same clothes.  It's 24* outside and my heat works very hard to keep my home comfortable.  I'm really thankful for those things.  Those and the tires on my truck.  I'm acutely aware most of the time how helpful my tires are to me.  I thank God for them all the time.  That's the heart of me.

One day my friend I will share much more with great gusto all the great and kind things my Savior has done for me.  The fact that He gave me the opportunity to have life everlasting with Him is incredible to me.  But that He allows me to walk with Him here?  Now?  Seriously.  I haven't the words to describe my gratitude.