Yesterday, I stopped by one church in Ramona to deliver a set of worship flags, where Rey Richardson was going to be leading worship. As I walked through the door, the voices and the sight of my friends overwhelmed me. When you feel love so deeply, even the sight of people takes your breath away, but something even more wonderful happened.
friends
To Be Known
When I was twelve years old, I lost my innocence to a fourteen year old boy, and I thought I had found love. This happened on a weekend night. That following Monday at school, he acted as if I didn’t exist…looked past me…flat out ignored me. It broke my heart. Maybe that’s why it’s always been important for me to look people in the eyes, to let them know I “see” them. This is still true for me today. Continue reading
An Order of Prayer
A couple of weeks ago, I had a meeting at a Starbucks and met a man who fell in love with my laugh. His exact words…”I will never forget you.” Last night, I ended up at that same Starbucks, and when he saw my face, he said, “I remember you!” That made me laugh. Then he said, “I remembered you before you laughed!” He was so proud of himself.
He asked if I wanted to order anything. I told him I was waiting for someone. I asked him how he was doing. He said he was letting go of some stuff, and it was hard. I asked him what he was letting go of. He said, “Drugs. I was so high last time I saw you.” I grabbed his hand and started praying. Continue reading
Weeping…to Know You More
I am just in awe of Who God is. I’m sitting here weeping and cannot stop. I like to share my intimate moments with you because there may be someone out there who isn’t having them who needs to hear the hope that they do happen.
I was just sitting here thinking about my birthday and how loved I felt, but it wasn’t just love that was felt because of my birthday, I feel so loved every day. I’ve learned to hang around with people who “like” me. I no longer try to “force” myself into anyone’s life, and it has brought me so much freedom. Continue reading
Meet Emil
This is my friend from the bus stop outside of my work. When I first met him a few months ago, he was grumpy. Look at him now!!
Since the first day I met him, what’s happened?
He let me bless him.
He let me pray over him.
Prayers were answered…freaked him out.
He almost died.
He was placed in a home.
He believes in God.
Transformation.
Over time, I’ve talked with him, laughed with him, loved him. We’ve become friends. He is the sweetest man! He used to be grumpy. Now, he’s not. I never know when I will catch him at the bus stop. Yesterday, I was so happy and surprised to see him, and he felt the same way about seeing me. I rarely have my phone on me at work, so after we talked for a little, I ran in and grabbed my friend to take a picture of us. I’m so glad because in case I never see him again, I will always have this picture!
The Joy of the Lord
On Wednesday, a woman asked if I’d be willing to pray for a young man who wanted to get off heroine. Of course I was willing, so yesterday, the three of us went walking in the park, and God did some amazing things (of course), and it all started with a little joy.
As I was getting ready for work, I had an outfit planned out, and at the last moment, God informed me of wearing something totally different, so I did. I wore jeans, a green plaid shirt, and a white tank-top. That doesn’t “seem” important, but it is. I don’t “normally” dress like that. It was something I wore once to a country-western thing, but God knew what He was doing.
At lunchtime, I was on the street, looking for my friends (not knowing what the vehicle looked like). I spotted a young man who was sitting in the passenger seat who glanced my way, so I knew it was him and started walking toward the van. He got out with really no expression on his face. As my friend walked around from the other side of the van, I saw what she was wearing: jeans, a red plaid shirt, and a white tank-top. I laughed so loud (and if you know me, you KNOW my laugh was LOUD). And guess what my laugh did…put a smile on the young man’s face.
Not only did it put a smile on his face but out came a giggle. God is so creative!! His love for this young man was so strong that He changed my outfit to have me match my friend, “knowing” that it would crack me up and bring a smile to his face, so our meeting started out with an overflow of Joy. How amazing is that!
God is amazing! His truth demolishes heroine’s assignment. His love covers all sin. He holds no record. We all have a created value. It’s just about learning it, believing it, and knowing it. When THAT created value becomes our identity, THAT’s what scares the devil; he’s freaked out that we will someday KNOW who we are and what we’re here to do. Well, for me, that day has come. Yay, God!
Relationships “can” Bring God Glory
Lately, God’s been showing me A LOT about relationships. Even this morning, I woke up in mid conversation with Him about people’s value and having them know it. It was such a comforting way to wake up that I fell right back to sleep in His Arms. The second time I woke up, I felt SO rested. It was insane!
I used to live my life a very different way…very different, and my idea of a relationship was absolutely bonkers. I won’t go into that twisted view. I’ll just share what relationships mean to me now.
Relationships grow through intimacy. I’ve recently learned what intimacy “really” means. When you learn depths of someone’s heart, that’s intimacy, so it’s really each individual’s choice of whether they want to let you in or not. I like letting people into my heart because there’s so much freedom in that, and as a result, many good relationships are being built.
I’ve learned to hang out with people who like me. I won’t be liked by everybody, and I’m done with trying to force my way in and waiting on God to “change” that other person. That never works out well. I’ve learned that the hard way. But when you’re friends with one another, lay your life down, encourage one another…that makes God smile.
God wants that intimacy too. There are things that I’ve learned from my time alone with God that I’ve tried in friendships that worked amazingly well, and there are things I’ve learned in my relationships with friends that I’ve tried in my alone time with God that worked amazingly well. He’s so personal, so loving. He wants us loved by one another in a good, healthy way.
My relationship with Him has never been stronger. Because of this, I will NOT let anyone close to me that may hurt me. God has taught me my created value, my worth, my beauty, and now, I get to teach others. I love lifting others up (like He has lifted me).
Worship Flags and Infinity Scarfs 