Full Cirlce

I LOVE those moments when you see things come together. Those moments that all of a sudden you see what God was doing all along. Rob and I had several of these moments this past weekend. We had the chance to return to Ambridge, PA where we had pastored for 9 months. Our time pastoring in Ambridge was one of the most painful yet richest times of our lives. It was a time of total dependency on God. We didn't move until He said move. We didn't speak unless He told us to and we only left because He said it was time. This weekend we finally saw some of the beautiful fruits of our time there.Of course we know that we only played a small part of bearing these fruits but we are so proud to have played any part at all in this beautiful body.

It doesn't escape me that we were there for the same duration of a pregnancy. Just as pregnacy can be difficult and uncomfortable you know it's all worth it because there will be a beautiful life as a result of all the discomfort. This weekend we got to hold our baby for the first time. We cried as we watched the people of this beautful church walking in the promises of God. We were able to see the answer to our prayers for so many lives and it felt so good. So good to know that we did not labor all that time and walk out of the hospital empty handed. I am so thankful that Father God understood our need to return and feel the love of that family even though we were not even aware of how great that need was.

It was a full circle kind of weekend and I am so very encouraged to keep walking on this journey. So excited to see what is in store for us. Excited to open myself up to the next adventure.

2009

I love New Year's for all the same reasons most people do. The chance to reflect on the past, change things about life for the future and of course an excuse to eat what you want one last time before the holidays are over. For me this year it's a little different. As I am reflecting I am seeing all the ways Father God has pressed me, molded me and stripped me of the useless things in my life. I am seeing that this past year was full of His handiwork and He took me places I never thought I would go. As I look forward to the coming year it's not with a list of changes I want to make, although I could come up with plenty, but rather it is with an open and willing heart to whatever the Father has in store for me.

When I was living in Ambridge, PA (that would be 2 moves ago) I prayed a sincere prayer that Father God would restore me to be the person He had originally designed me to be. I asked Him to bang out all the dents that life, sin and stupidity had left on me. I asked Him to restore me to my original purpose, no matter how painful that would be for me. Well, He has been faithful to honor that prayer ever since. (I'll save the stories of how He answered that prayer for another time or ten.) This year has been full of those changes and although it feels uncomfortable at the moment, like the soreness or downright pain after a good workout, I am begging Him for more because the results are amazing.

So, this coming year I am simply praying the prayer again,

Father, I love you and I want to be what you designed me to be. I am tired of living life broken, dented, lost and useless. I want to be the person you thought of when you saw me in my mother's womb. I want to be as beautiful as you meant for me to be. So, I invite you to continue this process of restoring me back to my original purpose. It has been painful but I can see the results and you are right- I am beautiful. Please, don't leave me for a second as I can not get through this process alone. I need you so very much and I love you even more! So, let's start this new year off right- just please take the lead. I love you.

Happy 2010, Everyone!