GROW!

Be careful what you pray for.

Seriously.

Husband prayed last year for patience and endurance.  I know that I learned both of those through my pregnancy.  And I’m continually learning them through motherhood.

I tend to pray for growth.  He sure is growing me.  I feel stretched to the limit, for sure!  But, then as I think about it, life would be boring if we weren’t growing.  If we never had to rise up against new challenges, or take on new responsibilities.  That’s how God is growing me.  Responsibilities.  A youth group and a baby, He’s trusted me with both at the same time.  With His precious children.  He obviously thinks that I can handle it.  But it is taking some growth and stretching on my part to be able to handle all this the way He wants. 

So, the lesson I learned today, if I don’t turn to the One who has led me here, I’m going to wilt.  If I sit in His light, I will blossom and grow and the colors of my petals will be vivid and extraordinary.

ENERGY!

I knew I was tired when I was a pregnant woman, but I’m just now beginning to realize how tired I truly was.  I feel like a brand new being, up early, and not due to heart burn, actually accomplishing things around the house and getting really pumped for the things I have to get done today.

We are at the end of my second year as an official ‘youth minister’ and it has been quite a ride!  Challenging, but rewarding all the same.  I have watched these kids grow so much and fall so in love with the faith that I almost can’t handle it!  Last night was our last night for the high school and the things they told us they’ve learned….it makes me happy to know that we as a team were able to help them grow in the most important aspect of their lives….

I can’t wait for Wednesday to see what my middle school kids have to say!!!  Those are the kids that really surprise you!!

All this to say that even with having a baby in the middle of the year, or maybe especially because of that, the year went by WAY too fast!  I’ve fallen so in love with these kids and the volunteers that teach them.  I may think that God gives me too much responsibility, but I feel so incredibly blessed that He trusts me with such an important and life-giving job.

Just like I told the kids last night, it’s soul-feeding to do what we do.

Growing in 2010

2010 is here.  Life is flying by, but it’s amazing.  And here I am at a loss for words because I just don’t know where to start.  So much has gone on in the past few weeks, spiritual growth, growth in family, in my faith in people.  Faith in myself.  


So maybe I should start with my goal of being Intentionally Passionate as the year progresses.  I haven’t been as good at focusing on that as I could be, however, I do find myself applying more of myself to the different aspects in life.  I want the kids in Levelland, particularly those at St. Michael’s to know the love of Jesus in ways that they never could have imagined.  And yet, I hold myself back.  However, I want you all to know that this is changing.  My priest got a hold of me during a meeting and really made me realize that I can do so much more.  And he gave me total permission and support to do whatever needs to happen within the youth to help them grow and fall in love with their faith.  So, God has heard my voice in wanting to be more intentional, more passionate and He is giving me no choice but to step up and act on it.  How good is our God?  I’m not saying it’s going to be easier, in fact, I have this constant inner turmoil going on in which I’m battling the lazy out of my bones.  Seriously.  I just want to sit and do nothing, but how is that building up the Kingdom?  Yeah, it doesn’t, so here’s to 2010 and a year of passionate explorations into the unknowns that I’ve been too scared to dive into.  Here’s to learning how to make things happen.  Here’s to growing in love and in faith.  

Random Ramblings…

I survived the weekend!  Not only did I survive, but I’m very excited for my kids that got to come.  And I will continually pray for the ones that couldn’t.  Watching kids encounter Christ is such an amazing experience.  I love seeing the light bulb come on for some of them, watching them realize that there is more to life than video games, sports, gossip, sex, drugs, all the stuff that hinders them from a healthy spiritual life.  Maybe the seeds are getting planted and one day they will take root.

A big thanks to the Texas Tech students who came out to put on the retreat.  It kind of made me want to go back to college.  Sort of.  =)  And then I look down at my growing belly and realize that this stage in life has it’s own blessings and good times.  Almost more so.  Baby has been very active the past few days.  I guess it’s a foreshadow of things to come.

And, my big brother took his firefighter certification test today!!!  Go Bradley!  We are proud of you!  Now move back to Texas!!!

Progress, Not Perfection

I’m learning many life lessons all at once. Which is good, I guess. The most important one is coming from my newest quest to finish a class by book called “The Artist’s Way”. This is a book written by a woman who teaches people how to unlock their creative genius. So far, I’m very hooked, but already it’s teaching me a lot about myself. One thing that stuck out to me in this current week’s lesson is that we should strive for progress, not perfection.

So many times I’ve let my lack of what I think I should be hold me back. Especially in my job. I am so hard on myself when it comes to doing new things in my ministry. I hold the program back from so many things that would be fantastic for my kids if I would stop being so afraid of failing. I think to myself so often, I wouldn’t be able to get kids there if I even tried, or that won’t work, or that’s too much work to do, or no one will help me even if I asked.

Of course, all these things are so far from the truth, and I continue to believe them. So, my challenge to myself is to step up and push past the fear factor. To actually give us all the opportunity to grow continually in our walk with Christ. To let go of what I think I can’t do and allow myself to surprise myself.

Which reminds me, we have a retreat coming up this weekend. Please pray that it goes well and that I can overcome the nerves of hosting something that is seemingly out of my league. Because even if things don’t go as smoothly as I want them to, I am progressing in the ministry and doing something I haven’t done before. And that is a victory in and of itself!

In the Light

Sometimes when I do a lesson for my kids, I get more out of it than they do I think. I’ve been meditating the past couple of days on the lesson we just went over tonight. The night was on technology and how we should use it for the good of the world and not abuse it or use it for evil. But that’s not really the part that got me. It was this quote by Mother Teresa:

“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.”

Man, if we are not giving Christ the glory in everything we say and do, then we are increasing the darkness. How often do I say stupid things that are definitely not glorifying the Lord? How often do I do stupid things that take away from what really matters in life?

If we look at the big picture, does what we do in life really matter in terms of eternity, or are we adding to the darkness?

“Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness.”

- Ephesians 5:8-11