What Christmas means to me.

I was watching The Nativity Story the other night with Steven and the kiddos. We have seen it before and really enjoy it. This was the first time "the Littles" had seen it. It was neat to see them watch (seemingly) real pictures of Baby Jesus (instead of cartoon). Especially when Jesus is born. Pey says," I saw Baby Jesus' booty!" Because they hadn't seen it and it was a little over their head, I found myself commentating all the way through. As I told what was happening I found myself getting emotional as I told the story of our Savior.

When I was a child I accepted Christ as my Savior. I prayed the prayer, believed in my heart & got dunked in the water. I completely believe that I became a Christian when I was 6. I know there is always debate over salvation and children, but I know what I know and I know what I believe. The true issue was Lordship. At 6 I don't know that I understood or was taught what Lordship was. It wasn't until much later in my life that I began to grasp this.

I made alot of choices through middle school and high school that were evidence of my Lordship issues. As far as I was concerned, I was in control of my life. I was making the good and bad choices and I was reaping what I sowed. (Do you see the theme? I I I I I I I I)

I was driving down the road one day I realized how badly my life was crumbling. I was a single mom with 2 kids, I had made so many bad choices that I couldn't see straight, and I was on the verge of loosing one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me.

I stood at a crossroad. The Promised Land being one path and 40 years in the desert being the other path. I felt like God was saying to me....."I'm done. I have given you many chances to make me Lord and you have chosen poorly. This is your last chance." God had given me 2 beautiful girls, a family to support me, and a man who loved me in a way I didn't deserve. God was laying the Promised Land in front me, a life full of blessing and I just needed to make Him Lord and step into it.

I sat on the side of the road weeping. I finally got it. Salvation wasn't only about saving me from Hell it was also about saving me from self. Salvation was about letting God rescue me instead of me rescuing myself. Salvation was about Him being in control NOT me.

As I sat watching The Nativity Story I thought about all that I went through because of my choices. I thought about how much God loves me that He was willing to fight for me. I watched this little baby on the TV and was reminded that He came so that I/we could have life. And not a crappy life and ABUNDANT life. John 10:10

What does Christmas mean to you? For me it represents a time to remember and reflect on the greatness of God. A time to say "Thank You" to the God of the universe who loved us enough to become human so that we can have eternity with Him. As I sit quietly beside my beautiful Christmas tree I imagine the bitter life that I could have had. I probably could have written a book called The Hopeless Life of a Strong Willed Child :-) But instead my life is filled with a hope and a future. A future that I live day by day by the grace of God.





That is what Christmas means to me.

Pep Rally

Yesterday was another wonderful day at Lifepoint. One of my favorite things about our church is the opportunities that I have to be a part of something bigger than myself. I love serving! I love working with people! And most important to me; I love pointing people/children toward Jesus!

At Lifepoint, being a volunteer is HUGE. Without our volunteers Sunday morning wouldn't happen. It is because of the 300+ volunteers that it all happens the way it does. When you sit back and watch teams of Lifepointers interact with everyone who enters the building you can SEE why they do it. You can SEE how it fuels them and why they come back to do it all again the next week. I know that is how I feel. I can prepare and plan all week for Sunday. But it isn't until Sunday when the littlest of the Lifepointers comes bouncing into Dive; that it is ALL validated. It is the tiny smile on the face of a child who is finally able to let go of mom and come to me without crying. It is the parent who finds relief in handing over their child to someone that they have come to trust. It is comfort I find in knowing that God loved me so much, so I can love them the same way.

But........

The point of this blog wasn't to say why I love volunteering. The point was to tell you about the lesson I learned yesterday. I love serving God, my church , Kidspoint and supporting my husband so much that sometimes I get trapped. Now, mind you...I get trapped in my own cage of expectancy that I created and locked myself. No one can take credit for this one except me. :-(

Yesterday I was able to slip away and attend a church service. It amazes me how many volunteers (across churches) give up going to church to serve. I think it is partly because of their heart, but I think it is partly because they have created their own cage....and locked it!!! I know that in many churches (especially young churches) schedules are often hard to fill. Sometimes churches grow so fast it is hard to keep up with it, with volunteers. But sometimes it is simply because you don't ask and you don't go! You don't ask for help. And you don't go if you do get the help. The lesson I learned yesterday was how important going to church is. There is the DUH reasons for going to church, but I discovered the "PEP Rally" reason.

Let me ask this : Why do schools do pep rallies?
*To get everyone pepped up.
*To get everyone ready for the big game.
*To feel apart of a team.
*So that everyone can see that it isn't just the players on the field that are in the game.
*So everyone can hoot and holler for ONE purpose.

Well that is what I got out of church. Yes, I heard the word of God. Yes, I worshiped (and it was pretty awesome!) But even more than that....
*I got excited and pepped up.
*I am ready for what ever is next.
*I felt a part of the a HUGE team.
*It was nice to see everyone together.
*It was great to see that I don't play the game alone.
*Everyone together for One purpose!
Talk about fueling your tank!!!!
So volunteers....GO TO CHURCH!!!!
If you don't volunteer...... start. Be apart of something bigger than you.
.....but don't forget to go to church.

~L

I want them to be Warriors

I have almost completed my Esther study I have one week left. This past week touched on a number of different things but one stood boldly off the page.

One of the hardest parts of being a mother or a mentor is watching our children face a battle we can't fight for them. If God is going to raise our children to be mighty warriors of the faith, He must be free to teach them to fight. As hard as the process can be to watch, how can a person experience the exhilaration of victory in a battle they never had to fight?

When I read that the first time it stopped me in my tracks. I want them to be warriors. I don't want passive, lazy, apathetic children. I want them to FIGHT!I want them to fight for a God and faith that fought for them.
I often question, how much "parenting" is too much ...or not enough? I question when do I step in or do I let them work it out on their own? I am never quite sure. I quickly see that I need to pray more and speak less. Allowing God to show me where to act and where to be silent.
But this lesson brought my life into full view. In a matter of seconds I saw all of the major life trials I have had, and the amazing victories I have been able to experience because of them. If I had someone to fight those battles for me, I would never be the person I am. Or have the strength for the trials still yet to come.

God I pray that our children will be mighty warriors of the faith. I pray that the trials they experience will be amazing avenues to God sized victories. I pray that they will fight honorably and serve graciously. God help them to find strength in only you. And give us the wisdom to know when to speak and what to say.