Tell MY story

I have been kicking around the idea of blogging again for about a month. I keep a running list of ideas on my phone. However, every time I think it is a good idea to start back, pride kicks in. On one hand, I think, “what do I have to say? I could not possibly have anything that great to share”. On the other hand, I think, “who am I trying to impress?” I think, "it would be great if she(insert any really awesome woman you know) would read this!"  Pride cometh before the fall.

While both of the prior thoughts can be true of me at any point of the day, the TRUTH of why I am starting to blog again is because none of this is about me. The stories I have to tell, the things I think are worthy of writing, about are all about JESUS! Today I went for a run, and while thinking about all these things, felt God speak into my heart and say, don’t tell your story, tell MY story.

So hear we go. I will start by reintroducing myself. 

I am a wife of 5 years to Brian, who is seriously the most patient, loving man alive. I am a momma of two sweet kiddos. David, who is three, and Mckinney who is 8 Months.  David is an extroverted child who waves at every person walking by, loves all things sugar, and sings himself to sleep almost every night. McKinney, our sweet little girl is, most of the time, a bundle of joy. She is a mommas girl, but is also smitten by her daddy and brother. David is still trying to figure out if he likes sharing the attention.  I also get the privilege of living in the same town with my parents and in laws and on the same street as my brother and sister in law. Family is kind of a big deal around here, all the good, and all the crazy.  Mostly just crazy good.

For the last ten years, I have had the privilege of working for Young Life, A ministry to teenagers. I absolutely LOVE this ministry.  I met Jesus through Young life in high school. I was a volunteer leader in college. Which actually means I did more things with young life than I did my college. After graduating college, I went on International Young Life staff in Portugal where I helped start Wyld Life, young life’s ministry to middle school students. After two years, I moved back to Greensboro where I have lived for the last seven years and worked with college students, high school students, and now I am overseeing Young Lives, Young Life’s ministry to teen moms. These young teen moms, have taught me more in the last year that I could have ever imagined.  I am sure, they will inspire a lot of my writing.

Back to why I started this blog. While I was running this morning, I was trying to shake the current discouragement I am feeling. One of my biggest flaws is that I am terribly emotional, as the wind blows, so do my emotions. I desperately need Jesus to make me strong where I am weak. I am SO incredibly weak when it comes to managing my wavering emotions. One thing I know to be helpful in managing my emotions is to remind my self of Gods faithfulness.  That despite how I might feel in the moment, God Is bigger, He is in charge, and He is faithful to the end. A lot of the stories, I will tell will be to remind me, and the reader of Gods faithfulness in the past. Remembering, is one way to fight the emotional battles we encounter daily.

When Jesus was heading to the cross, I cannot imagine the emotions he was feeling: Abandonment, fear, physical pain. He never wavered. He was faithful to the end. He finished the work he came to accomplish. In John it points out that he stopped to make sure John would take care of his mom. While carrying His cross. This blows my mind. He had the clarity of mind even in his darkest hour to consider his mom. Thank you Jesus, that despite my wavering emotions, you are faithful to finish the work you started. Although, my emotions waver, and I am terribly unfaithful, He is faithful. Welcome to this journey of story telling and remembering God’s faithfulness. To God Be the Glory!

How has God been faithful to you in the last 10 years, in the month, yesterday? What do you need to remember that he has done for you, to give you strength in your current situation? He is the same God, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and the same God that was faithful to you yesterday will be faithful to you today. Seek Him. Remember how he has been faithful to you today.