HOPE HONESTY AND LOVE

A few weeks ago I was sitting at my kitchen table with one of my dearest friends. We've known each other for 30 years. We've been going to the same church for about 16 years. We've been through all the ups and downs together, and some have been more difficult than others. This latest round, covering the last three years, has been so difficult for us and for others. It's been hard to talk about some of the things we've needed to talk about, because in order to do so we feel like we're betraying some who have left us to go to other pastures. It can be so hard to tell if we're clearing the air and our hearts, or just plain gossipping.
So as we tried to talk about things that are hurting us, we were being so very careful. Especially because the ones who hurt us had positions of authority over us at one time. "Touch not the Lord's anointed", I heard in the days of my youth. So I rarely do, even when I need to clear the air or disagree. I usually keep my feelings to myself and do what I think the Lord wants, whether authority people will like it or not. At least in my own home and circle of family and friends. I have always gone by the rules at church.
So she and I were working through some very painful memories, and some things that confused us both. About half an hour into the discussion, Adam walked into the room and loudly announced; Hope, Honesty, and Love." That about blew me out of my chair! Adam, who has such difficulty expressing himself, came into the kitchen and so clearly spoke a word from the Lord to us. It was exactly what we needed to hear, exactly when we needed to hear it. All we could do was give thanks to the One who sent him, and bless the time we spent together to heal our wounds and hurts. God is so good. I love it when He stops by so unexpectedly.
I have to mention too that it's been so much easier for me since my trip to Bethel Church in Redding, California. My head and my heart have been cleared from all of the confusion and warfare that I was suffering from for such a long time. I think I'll save that story for another post.
Peace and joy to all my readers. I love that you take the time to visit here.

Here We Go Again

Have I mentioned before that I like change? I know I have. God must have stopped by and listened when I said it, because, here we go again. The church is changing again.
Over the last few months, we've been settling into the merge with our brothers and sisters in the Mosaic Vineyard. It's been challenging at times, but mostly very good. Just different. One of the best parts of the merge is that we've been reconciled with some old friends and been realizing just how much we missed each other. The other really good part is that we were welcomed so very warmly by the Mosaic family, and made to feel at home.
For the last two years or so, my husband and I knew that things would change again, we just didn't know when. Deep inside, we both knew that our Bridge pastor and his wife wouldn't be staying. We didn't know when they would leave, but we knew they would. It's not that they were unhappy here, Paul and I just had an unshakeable feeling that it wouldn't be long before they let us know they'd be moving on. We were right. They told the church today that they will be moving to Canada to pastor a church there on Prince Edward Island. (Of course, he didn't say it  as bluntly as I just wrote.)
Over the last week or so, I had a few conversations with Tom, our pastor from the Bridge, so I knew he was thinking about taking this position, and then knew he'd accepted it. He asked me to pray for him, and I did. He sought counsel from wise friends and prayed and sought the Lord's will, and he and Nadine feel right about the move. It's a "scary wonderful" kind of adventure for them. Tom says he's dragged Nadine all over the place, and she always goes with him without protest. She loves him, he says. And she passionately agrees.
Today was harder than I expected. I knew what was coming. I knew in my heart for a long time that this would come. I didn't expect to be so emotional about it. Oh well....
At the end of the service, our new family was so loving and supportive. One wanted us to pray for Tom and Nadine right away. Others joined her. I couldn't. One of the women sitting near me slid over and put her arm around me and prayed quietly and gently for the Lord to come and bring His peace. She was so sweet. I noticed that happening all around the sanctuary. Mosaic people loving on Bridge people. It was wonderful to see the caring and support from our new sisters and brothers and to watch them speak words of comfort and to pray.
So things are changing again. I don't like all of it, but I know we'll be alright. More than alright. We're a family, and families help each other and grow closer together when the Lord is the center and the focus. And He is. We all want what He wants and we want to follow hard after Him in all that He has for us.
God stopped by in the middle of it all and moved us all a bit closer to each other and to Himself. I trust Him in all of this. He has a hope and a future for me and for everyone.
I'm blessing Tom and Nadine as they'll be leaving us in a few weeks or months, even though I'm sad about it. I'm blessing Phill and Patti as they stay and move us forward. I can still feel an excitement over what the Lord wants to do in our midst. My hope is that everyone else feels the same way, and that if they don't yet, they soon will.
Thank you Father for the time we've had together. Thank you for all we've learned and for the healing that's taken place. Our little church had been so very broken by things that happened in the last several years. Thank you for bringing Tom and Nadine and their gifts of fathering and mothering the church. They didn't know what they were getting into when they decided to come and be with us, but they gave themselves wholeheartedly to us and all that we needed. We love them for it and we love You for sending them. Please bless them on their journey and prosper all that they put their hands to. I ask in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Blessings to all my readers. Thank you for your return visits. I appreciate you!. :0}

Baby Shower, San Diego Style

It's been a week since I returned from a trip to San Diego for my daughter's baby shower. I was gone four days, and it was just not long enough.
It's hard having my youngest child live so far away. It's especially hard now that she's pregnant, and I don't get to share in the day-to-day discoveries of her journey into motherhood. It's hard knowing that this new little one will grow up so far away from us, and that we will only see him or her twice a year. I have to tell you, as hard as I try not to let it, this hurts.
The good thing is that I know my daughter was brought to San Diego by the Lord. He has a plan for her life, and at least for now, it's not on the East Coast. She traveled to California for her own reasons, but she found a deep and wonderful relationship with Jesus when she got there. California is where she landed in a great church, met some wonderful friends, and eventually, her husband. I love the times I get to sit and watch the interactions between Jessica, Doug, and their friends. It's truly inspirational. They have a sense of community that I have rarely seen. They love and depend on each other. They pray for each other and speak into one another's lives. They get together just to have fun and play games and socialize and eat. It is what I think the Lord intends for the church. They live their faith every day, all week long. Their lives are intertwined in ways I can only guess at. They truly support and carry each other in the toughest of times.
One of the girls is having some very difficult health issues. The friends are holding her before the Lord, and even at the baby shower, there where those who gathered around her to pray for healing. Some spent time to just speak words of encouragement to her, or to share what God has said during private time spent with Him regarding her situation. Just glorious.
Planned into every shower is prayer time. This is a time to pray for the one who is being celebrated that day, whether it be a bridal or a baby shower. It's wonderful to hear these women who know the Lord speak blessings over my child. I get to pray too, of course. It's a beautiful tradition that I think should be done at every party, everywhere.
The newest addition to our family is due next month, and I get to return for the birth. I'm so excited to see this little shining one. She or he will bring such joy to us all, as babies always do. Very soon now, my baby will be holding her first baby; what a delight! Whenever I talk about becoming a grandmother, I always share how seeing your grandchild for the first time is just as amazing as seeing your own child for the first time. And how you love that child just as much and exactly the same as you loved your own child when you saw it. And when you hold that baby in your arms, oh how sweet and how joyful that moment is! You never want to let go.
I really do love being a grandmother............even long distance.