There are just times when I know God is subtly speaking to my heart. I can't pinpoint the exact moment this started, but I know when the realization of God's prompting came alive recently.
A leadership group of teens from our youth group meet twice a month on Sunday nights. On this particular night, the teens were instructed to pick anyone in the room and ask that person a question from one of four areas of spiritual growth.
Prayer Life
Bible Reading
Evangelism
Christian Fellowship
As soon as our Youth Pastor mentioned to the teens, "You know you can ask leaders, too." I got a sinking feeling inside. I knew I would be the next to be called on. And so it was. The guy sitting beside me said, "Abby Dubbe" (he only ever calls me by my first and last name because he finds it amusing). At that point my heart started pounding because I KNEW he would ask me to share about "evangelism" in my life. If you haven't guessed it already, that is the area I had already been sensing God working in my heart.
So I was honest. I shared that I used to somewhat look down on people who claimed they didn't know any unsaved people. I had grown up in a public high school, always worked in secular environments, and had many people around to share God's love with. As I told the group, now my life is drastically different. I am a stay-at-home-wife, and spend many hours of my week discipling, mentoring, and building relationships with other Christian women. All that to say, God has been prompting my heart about reaching out to those who do not yet know the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
I do know my four neighbors and I have tried to build relationships with all of them, but haven't seen much happen. Until this morning. One of our neighbors is moving. We've chatted with her several times about her move, and even stopped by her place last night to help out with a couple packing issues. This morning, as I was reading my Bible, I heard my neighbor crying on the other side of the wall. At first I wasn't sure so I froze and tried to listen harder. Sure enough, there were undeniable tears.
As nervous as I was to admit to her I could hear her crying, I knew God was leading me to go over there and check in. With watery eyes she answered the door and my suspicions were confirmed. My heart went out to her as I know the feeling of moving far far away from friends and family. I was able to share a tiny bit of my own personal journey of heartache, loss, and change but that WITH GOD I found joy, peace, and ultimately healing. In order to protect her personal life, I won't go into all the details. What I will say is I thank God for giving me the chance to show His love to her.
As I told her I would be praying for her, more tears came to her eyes. When I asked if I could pray with her right then, it was by God's leading, and still even more tears came. I am in awe that God gave me a chance. A chance to share HIM with someone that doesn't yet know Him.
NO SCHOOL FOR ME!
I wrote in my personal journal this morning how grateful I am that I'm NOT going back to school today. It's true. I feel anxiety just imagining the thought of going back to school again. If you're reading this, you probably already know that I have hated school for my whole entire life.
It must have started in Kindergarten when my oldest brother left me in the hallway all alone, scared, and having no idea where to go or what to do. Apparently I really liked my first Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bird. When my family moved in the middle of my Kindergarten year, I even called her from all the way across the country.
Like I said, I'm just beyond grateful that today I do not have to go back to school. Yes I've been out of school for over six years now, but the relief has never worn off. When walking through Target, seeing all those pencils, folders, erasers, folders, notebooks, and binders I STILL get this sick feeling in my stomach. I know that stuff is no longer for me, but I STILL feel the dread. That horrible feeling was apart of my life for so many years, that I assume it will last for quite a few back to school seasons still.
I fear what it will be like when my own kids have to go to school. If they hate it as much as I did, I'm sure I will be the Mom that says, "Oh, you can stay home honey!" Thankfully my Mom let me do that, too. My Senior year of HS she let me skip 37 FULL days. That's not even counting 1/2 days missed, or coming late, or leaving early. I actually got called into a meeting where I was informed if I missed any more days, I wouldn't graduate. Please. THANK YOU MOM!
So if my kids hate school. where will that leave me? Ha! I have a feeling they will be nothing like me and will love school, excel at it, and be much more like their Daddy. Until that time (and we have lots of time!) I am just going to continue to BASK in my FREEDOM. =)
It must have started in Kindergarten when my oldest brother left me in the hallway all alone, scared, and having no idea where to go or what to do. Apparently I really liked my first Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Bird. When my family moved in the middle of my Kindergarten year, I even called her from all the way across the country.
Like I said, I'm just beyond grateful that today I do not have to go back to school. Yes I've been out of school for over six years now, but the relief has never worn off. When walking through Target, seeing all those pencils, folders, erasers, folders, notebooks, and binders I STILL get this sick feeling in my stomach. I know that stuff is no longer for me, but I STILL feel the dread. That horrible feeling was apart of my life for so many years, that I assume it will last for quite a few back to school seasons still.
I fear what it will be like when my own kids have to go to school. If they hate it as much as I did, I'm sure I will be the Mom that says, "Oh, you can stay home honey!" Thankfully my Mom let me do that, too. My Senior year of HS she let me skip 37 FULL days. That's not even counting 1/2 days missed, or coming late, or leaving early. I actually got called into a meeting where I was informed if I missed any more days, I wouldn't graduate. Please. THANK YOU MOM!
So if my kids hate school. where will that leave me? Ha! I have a feeling they will be nothing like me and will love school, excel at it, and be much more like their Daddy. Until that time (and we have lots of time!) I am just going to continue to BASK in my FREEDOM. =)
TGIF
Amber sent us a gift card to Friday's for our anniversary earlier this summer. We went back to thee very Friday's where we met for the very first time less then two years ago. Who knew we'd be married, living just a few miles away, only a few months later in life? I still have a hard time believing it's true. Thank you God! Happy and blessed.
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| Where it all began. |
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| Not our original table, but it worked. We try to embrace change. ;) |
