Monday, December 29, 2008

What's my story?




In church yesterday Pastor Marc spoke about telling your story. He said Christians haven't been called to convince people to believe what they believe; we've been called to share the love of Christ and what He's done. This made me think. . .
I once [inadvertently] patronized a friend of mine for believing in Evolution. It's a theory I think is ridiculous because I believe in Creation, but there was no need for me to reiterate what she had said in a mocking tone. I sat in church feeling ashamed for my behavior. This is a friend of mine that is not a Christian and she might never become a Christian because I've been a bad example to her. I felt (and still do feel) compelled to apologize to her, although there's a good chance she doesn't even remember the incident. Yet it's one of those things that now haunts me and I wish it hadn't ever happened.
About 2 months ago, God told me I had to confess something to my mom. I had to tell her (without too graphic of details) about the physicality of my former relationship. Now, you need to understand that I'm very close to both of my parents since I'm an only child, I've grown up in church, and currently attend a Christian college studying to go into full-time ministry. All this to say, I'm not supposed to be that girl that would have struggles like that. However I ended up telling her and to be honest, it was the best talk we've ever had. I opened up to her about our relationship, and also about the things God had been doing in my life. I was able to share with her that story of how amazing God's been to me lately and the things He's made me go through to better myself.
It's all about our stories. I was able to be the best witness, and the best Christian that I could possibly be to my mama at that moment. She seemed a little sad that I hadn't told her these stories sooner, but honestly I didn't think she would understand. It opened up an amazing door between my mom and I.
Stories are what make my life. God's writing my love story, so I'm not concerned about dating. He's also writing the rest of my story, which thankfully I have a bit more involvement in. I think it was Brad Davis in chapel a couple of years ago that said "I'm through hearing about stories- I want to tell stories of my own."
I agree. :)

Saturday, December 27, 2008

What do I want to be when I grow up?


I've somehow started to jokingly use the phrase "blah blah blah, when I grow up." Obviously saying there is something I want to do when I "grow up."
When do I grow up though? Biologically and legally I'm "grown up"- I'm 22 years old and graduating college in May. Emotionally I think I'm pretty darn grown up, I've run the gamut in things a young woman could possibly go through. Spiritually? Well I'll never be grown up in that regard, probably not even in Heaven, so I don't bother trying to "grow up". Granted it started as a joke, saying I want to do/be thing(s) "when I grow up", but it's eventually turned in to something I say with a hint of meaning behind it.
What do I want to be when I grow up?
A make-up artist?
A cake decorator?
Do I want to pursue making jewelry since it's doing pretty well now?
A sign language interpreter?
A children's pastor?
A mother?
A wife?
Yes and yes, with a side of yes please. Well, the cake decorating I wouldn't mind not doing, but everything else? I want it. I want all of it. But, the "grown up" side of me says I can't have it all, the spiritual side of me says to follow God, and the rest of me says "well what do I do then?" I'm stuck. I've had to re-accept my calling every few months, and I'm currently doing that again.
God has called me to work with children. I know I will be a foster mom at some point in time, I know I will mentor teenage girls at some point, and I know I will be a pastor. However the apparently un-grown up side of me doesn't really want to be a pastor. Is that normal? I've felt "the call" since I was about 16. I didn't start feeling iffy about my calling until I was about 19 or 20. . .
What changed though? Did Bible college ruin me? Did I become too cynical? Am I too hyper-critical and scared now of what people will think of my own preaching? Should any of this really matter if it's what God wants?
Perhaps I need to just stop worrying and let God take care of things. I always feel like I do a pretty OK job of letting Him take over, yet I get stuck in nights like this where I want to grab the reigns and steer it towards my own desires.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8