10 years in reverse
As July has quickly approached I have to look back at the last 10 years. It was 10 years ago this month, in a small office at Evangel University I poured my heart out. I was broken. I didn't want to go on anymore. I had just underwent an emergency hysterectomy at 26. My life was crumbling all around me. I wanted to give up. I sat across from 2 women who have since become life long friends. Two women who stepped out in faith and told a broken hearted 26 year old girl that Jesus loved her. That day was the beginning of the journey of a lifetime. That day led me to the alter of what was then James River Assembly just 2 months later. That one moment created a ripple effect of so many God moments. It blessed me in ways I cannot even begin to explain from friendships, Living Free, missions, kids camp and the list goes on. No the road has not been easy. It has been full of curves and bumps. It has been a journey of rediscovering who I am not in the flesh but in Christ.
This past Friday night as I sat at Harvest Church Aurora MO for week 2 of Equipping Saints, I realized just how far I have come.
Without the leadership, friendships, and mentors from James River Church I would not be where I am today. For over 10 years they have poured into my life in ways I cannot explain.
I realized this Friday as we began our class and I received not 1 but 2 prophetic words publicly. I realized that without that one day 10 years ago my life would be completely different. For so many reasons but the biggest reason is that I would not have been ready to serve in a church such as Harvest. I would not have been given a second chance at life last August, I would not have the chance to work with so many amazing leaders at Harvest.
So to those who stuck beside me when you could have easily walked away thank you! You will always hold a special place in my heart! Granted a thank you does not sum up the impact you have had on my life. And to my Harvest family thank you for allowing the boys and I to call Harvest home!
As I reflect back over the above post, which originally I posted last week on Facebook I have to share a little more. Sunday I had the chance to pray with one of our youth. I cant say she is just one of our youth, she is an amazing young woman who has overcome what many never dream of. We prayed and cried together. What she doesn't know is she inspires me to be more. Tonight at youth she stops me to tell me that a "special" guy in my life sent her a message the other day. She was thanking me for him reaching out to her. That moment made me realize that me fighting with God last year about working with youth was so selfish of me.
The word I received last week was that God had big plans for me in ministry and it was not in the field I think it should be in. It was confirmed by a second person saying that I had been on there heart for over 3 weeks and they had been praying faithfully for me. At the end of the class as they laid on the ministers leading the class they asked if they could also lay hands on me and pray for me. 10 years ago, heck 5 years ago I would have cringed. But that night I received the message and the prayers. I am excited for the next chapter of the next 10 years!
I do not know what it is God has called on my life. But I do know it is big, and is already in the works. I look at the youth as one example. They have impacted my life in a way they will never understand. Wednesdays come and I cannot wait to see all their faces. I love walking into church to hear "Jules" from across the room greeted with hug after hug. I love hearing them on Tuesday nights cheering on our church league softball team and cheering me on every time I get up to bat. I love the passion they all have and how they are one BIG family. It does not matter what walk of life they come from, they all love each other. And I love that my oldest is right in the middle. He is growing into a true Warrior for Jesus!
10 years ago I was selfish, I did not know Jesus like I thought or told myself I did. Some say I am crazy because I am a radical for Jesus. But I would have nothing less. Because my worse days now are better then my best days before!
This past Friday night as I sat at Harvest Church Aurora MO for week 2 of Equipping Saints, I realized just how far I have come.
Without the leadership, friendships, and mentors from James River Church I would not be where I am today. For over 10 years they have poured into my life in ways I cannot explain.
I realized this Friday as we began our class and I received not 1 but 2 prophetic words publicly. I realized that without that one day 10 years ago my life would be completely different. For so many reasons but the biggest reason is that I would not have been ready to serve in a church such as Harvest. I would not have been given a second chance at life last August, I would not have the chance to work with so many amazing leaders at Harvest.
So to those who stuck beside me when you could have easily walked away thank you! You will always hold a special place in my heart! Granted a thank you does not sum up the impact you have had on my life. And to my Harvest family thank you for allowing the boys and I to call Harvest home!
As I reflect back over the above post, which originally I posted last week on Facebook I have to share a little more. Sunday I had the chance to pray with one of our youth. I cant say she is just one of our youth, she is an amazing young woman who has overcome what many never dream of. We prayed and cried together. What she doesn't know is she inspires me to be more. Tonight at youth she stops me to tell me that a "special" guy in my life sent her a message the other day. She was thanking me for him reaching out to her. That moment made me realize that me fighting with God last year about working with youth was so selfish of me.
The word I received last week was that God had big plans for me in ministry and it was not in the field I think it should be in. It was confirmed by a second person saying that I had been on there heart for over 3 weeks and they had been praying faithfully for me. At the end of the class as they laid on the ministers leading the class they asked if they could also lay hands on me and pray for me. 10 years ago, heck 5 years ago I would have cringed. But that night I received the message and the prayers. I am excited for the next chapter of the next 10 years!
I do not know what it is God has called on my life. But I do know it is big, and is already in the works. I look at the youth as one example. They have impacted my life in a way they will never understand. Wednesdays come and I cannot wait to see all their faces. I love walking into church to hear "Jules" from across the room greeted with hug after hug. I love hearing them on Tuesday nights cheering on our church league softball team and cheering me on every time I get up to bat. I love the passion they all have and how they are one BIG family. It does not matter what walk of life they come from, they all love each other. And I love that my oldest is right in the middle. He is growing into a true Warrior for Jesus!
10 years ago I was selfish, I did not know Jesus like I thought or told myself I did. Some say I am crazy because I am a radical for Jesus. But I would have nothing less. Because my worse days now are better then my best days before!
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