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.