Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Part 2.. I think..
I realize I was supposed to write a Part 2, and maybe this is it. It's been almost 4 months since I wrote last. So much has changed, and still some has stayed the same. Since Mike and I took that trip home, I served on the team of Minnesota Tres Dias. While everything is very different from Georgia's TD, the presence of God is very much the same. He shows up and He changes lives. I met some incredible women who I very quickly came into friendship with. I know Jesus was facilitating these relationships to help me plant my feet up here in the freezing cold north.
Shortly after that TD weekend, my family and I visited a church in Eau Claire called Harvest Time. When I walked in, I was feeling hopeful, but not really expecting my soul to be shaken. It is a large church with so many people. There was a kind looking person smiling broadly at us when we entered. The atmosphere was inviting and kind, although it was pretty easy to hide in the crowd of people as we entered into the main area. We got the girls all checked into their classes and went to the sanctuary. I led the way, as I am pretty bossy and bold and not afraid to find the seats nearest the front. Mike was probably bummed that I didn't park it in those cozy looking back row seats, but he survived.
As soon as the worship began I was dumbstruck. I wish you could have seen my face. Holy Spirit showed up and swept me right off my feet! The voices were harmonious and beautiful, the worship was modern and passionate, and the worship leader was singing and speaking whatever Holy Spirit led her to. I was smiling. From ear to ear. Worshiping and closing my eyes soaking every moment in like a breath of fresh air. Then I heard it.
A man off to the other side in the congregation began harmonizing beautifully with the worship team. He was singing whatever Spirit led him to and he was blowing me away! I opened my eyes to see him dancing in the entire front just before the stage. I stood there. Staring. Smiling. In awe at the Spirit. Then he got down and laid on the floor. Face down. Completely surrendered and humbled before our God! It was so powerful and overwhelming. But that's not all. A woman he was with came to front, grabbed a microphone, and proceeded to explain a vision God had just showed her and a scripture He accompanied it with.
Where was I?! Was I in the Hinesville YMCA again?! Where was Rachel and the Darsey's?? Why were people not freaking out?! Maybe God moves in dramatic and supernatural ways up here too. Maybe He is moving and changing the stringent atmosphere in this predominantly religious area. Maybe He isn't only in Georgia.
Duh... of course I know God is everywhere, but sometimes I get over dramatic, especially when I get impatient.
So folks, this is where I have been the last 4 months. Worshiping beside some really incredible people at a church where the Pastor never ceases to bring an amazing and challenging message. Investing in the many missions and causes, local and super far away, that Harvest Time supports, praying weekly for other churches in the area, partaking in communion every Sunday- because does it really get old? Does Jesus' sacrifice really ever get old?!?- and laying hands on each other and praying and supporting each other. This is where I have been. Breathing and catching my footing.
Yes, I still miss Georgia. Yes, I would say, "absolutely," if offered the opportunity to run back there. No, I don't go a day without missing my best friend- or face timing, snap chatting, texting, messaging, you get the point-. But instead of staying stuck in a place of regret and fear and loneliness, I have made the choice to keep moving forward. To keep breathing. To meet new people and actually give them a chance to break way into my heart. To keep trusting that God has me every step of this crazy journey.
Someday I pray to be back in my beloved Georgia, growing into a crazy silly old lady in the house behind Rachel's. But until then, I will trust the process and allow God to use me right where I'm at. I will continue to keep my eyes on Him instead of my surroundings. I will hold tight to the genuine relationships I have and I will keep moving forward.
Shortly after that TD weekend, my family and I visited a church in Eau Claire called Harvest Time. When I walked in, I was feeling hopeful, but not really expecting my soul to be shaken. It is a large church with so many people. There was a kind looking person smiling broadly at us when we entered. The atmosphere was inviting and kind, although it was pretty easy to hide in the crowd of people as we entered into the main area. We got the girls all checked into their classes and went to the sanctuary. I led the way, as I am pretty bossy and bold and not afraid to find the seats nearest the front. Mike was probably bummed that I didn't park it in those cozy looking back row seats, but he survived.
As soon as the worship began I was dumbstruck. I wish you could have seen my face. Holy Spirit showed up and swept me right off my feet! The voices were harmonious and beautiful, the worship was modern and passionate, and the worship leader was singing and speaking whatever Holy Spirit led her to. I was smiling. From ear to ear. Worshiping and closing my eyes soaking every moment in like a breath of fresh air. Then I heard it.
A man off to the other side in the congregation began harmonizing beautifully with the worship team. He was singing whatever Spirit led him to and he was blowing me away! I opened my eyes to see him dancing in the entire front just before the stage. I stood there. Staring. Smiling. In awe at the Spirit. Then he got down and laid on the floor. Face down. Completely surrendered and humbled before our God! It was so powerful and overwhelming. But that's not all. A woman he was with came to front, grabbed a microphone, and proceeded to explain a vision God had just showed her and a scripture He accompanied it with.
Where was I?! Was I in the Hinesville YMCA again?! Where was Rachel and the Darsey's?? Why were people not freaking out?! Maybe God moves in dramatic and supernatural ways up here too. Maybe He is moving and changing the stringent atmosphere in this predominantly religious area. Maybe He isn't only in Georgia.
Duh... of course I know God is everywhere, but sometimes I get over dramatic, especially when I get impatient.
So folks, this is where I have been the last 4 months. Worshiping beside some really incredible people at a church where the Pastor never ceases to bring an amazing and challenging message. Investing in the many missions and causes, local and super far away, that Harvest Time supports, praying weekly for other churches in the area, partaking in communion every Sunday- because does it really get old? Does Jesus' sacrifice really ever get old?!?- and laying hands on each other and praying and supporting each other. This is where I have been. Breathing and catching my footing.
Yes, I still miss Georgia. Yes, I would say, "absolutely," if offered the opportunity to run back there. No, I don't go a day without missing my best friend- or face timing, snap chatting, texting, messaging, you get the point-. But instead of staying stuck in a place of regret and fear and loneliness, I have made the choice to keep moving forward. To keep breathing. To meet new people and actually give them a chance to break way into my heart. To keep trusting that God has me every step of this crazy journey.
Someday I pray to be back in my beloved Georgia, growing into a crazy silly old lady in the house behind Rachel's. But until then, I will trust the process and allow God to use me right where I'm at. I will continue to keep my eyes on Him instead of my surroundings. I will hold tight to the genuine relationships I have and I will keep moving forward.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
- Psalm 16:8 NIV
Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
- Hebrews 12:2-3 MSG
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