My proof that there is a God

I don't need proof that there is a God but some days God just makes himself known loud and clear.  Friday was one of those days for me.  I'm about to change jobs and have been quite attached to three particular customers at the current store I work for.  I had been whispering prayers since I gave my two week notice that I would be able to say goodbye to those three special people.  As of Friday, two of the three had come into the store.  The third, an older woman named Sarah, only shopped once a month because her husband has Alzheimer's and she has to have a sitter for him when she leaves the house.   I knew it wasn't likely that she would come in but around 11am, there she was.   I was so glad to see her and let her know I was moving on to bigger and better things.  She said she was sad to see me go but wanted me to take her name and number so we could stay in touch.  She said she would take my info but she loses things easily.   I always see her with her pocket Hallmark calendar which she uses to keep track of which birthday cards she needs to buy that month.  I put my contact info on the back and she made me write in my birthday as well.  Sometimes God is in the smallest of things.

Later in the work day a customer came in and looked a bit lost so I asked if I could help.  She said she needed gift bags for a wedding and baby shower.   We got the wedding stuff taken care of and then as I pointed her to the baby gift bags she said, "its for my daughter... the one who wasn't supposed to be able to have kids".  Stories like that always make me smile.  We found the perfect bags and bows and I asked if she needed a card.  She thought a second and decided it would be a good idea so I led her to that area and we began trying to find just the right card.  She had one in her hand but I handed her one more to look at just to be sure.  The sentiment on the outside was beautiful but it was the inside message that sold her and brought us both to tears.   It said "God bless you as you await your little miracle".   Sometimes God is in the smallest of things.

That night I got a phone call from my husband.  We had been awaiting some news from friends who were at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.  There was a prayer service for Cat and Paul last Sunday at church.  There is a Facebook page where people can leave messages and prayers and I've received notification after notification of just that.   We were all hoping for and honestly expecting a miracle.  I could tell by my husband's voice that something was wrong.   He said "Its definitely ALS."  My heart sank for our friends... for their children... for my husband who has become quite close to Paul in the last few years.  I was saddened by what this means for their family although I hoped the definite diagnosis would bring peace to them after so many years of simply not knowing.

Later in the evening there was this post from Paul on Facebook -

What a beautiful night tonight outside, lil chilli but nice .......... And no worries everyone this won't change me, God will prevail. The ONLY thing to do keep on keeping on. Thanks to all for there prayers, they were heard and answered. God isn't done with me yet.

And today on Facebook Cat posted this - 

So...for those that don't yet know, Paul diagnosis was confirmed to be ALS. We are doing this Paul and Cat style... That is with the peace and joy of the Lord! We know there is a plan, we aren't just privy to all of it and that is fine. The JOY comes from knowing the Lord and having such living and supportive friends and family! We are too blessed too be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!

All God asks of us is to have the faith of a mustard seed.  Cat and Paul are amazing testimonies to how when you let Him God will take care of all your needs.  All you have to do is ask and believe ... in other words, have faith.

 Yes, sometimes God is in the smallest of things.  I'm so very thankful that He is ALWAYS right there with us in the Big things too.   This is for you Cat and Paul.  We love you!!

Love One Another

I have been a Christian my entire life.  There is not a day I can remember when I didn't believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  I've had my trials in life and my fair share of drama but not once did I doubt God had me in the palm of His hand and that everything would be alright.  

I was raised Catholic and have spent most of my adult life in a Presbyterian church.  The two religions are somewhat similar and I've been comfortable in both.  Ultimately what religion my church happens to practice is not as important to me as my personal relationship with God.   However I think it is important to belong to a church community for the fellowship, accountability and support it offers.   During the times in my life where I have not been connected to a church, I have felt a huge void in my life.  Which brings me to the point of this post. 

There is no perfect church.  There is no perfect Christian.  We all fail God's vision for us every single day because we are human.  I have been very blessed to be a part of some amazing church families in my lifetime.  I adore the church community we are a part of right now.   I look forward to many years of raising our children there.  However, tonight I am struggling.  I am wishing there was no such thing as church politics and that we could all just Love One Another and it would be just that easy.   I understand that people have opinions and have every right to express them.  I just wish I didn't feel so scared to express my own.  I am wondering if I'm in the right denomination.  I really think I'm more of a "non-denominational" gal but in this city, most of the time, that means Baptist.   I know that is not the right place for me.  I've had a really hard time finding a place to fit in the Christian community because I have a hard time with the hypocrisy that goes along with it.  

So many Christian people claim to have an "all inclusive" "everyone is welcome" attitude only to be very blunt about their feelings when it comes to gays, drug addicts, criminals, and even people of a different race.  I'm not claiming to be free from my own prejudices.  I am human after all.  But if there is one thing I think Jesus meant more than anything it was "Love Thy Neighbor".   Jesus was all about love and acceptance and forgiveness.  Why is it so hard for us to be the same way??  (That's a rhetorical question)   

What got me stirred up tonight was a conversation I was a part of (well, one I listened to) tonight.   As some of you readers know, I have two gay siblings.  Its very difficult to be a part of a mostly conservative church when you have a family dynamic like mine.  I adore my brother and sister and their respective partners.  Tonight I got to hear what some of my church friends think of people with a more liberal mindset and although it didn't surprise me, its very hard for me to sit and nod my head like I agree with the majority.  I guarantee those people had no idea how uncomfortable it was for me to stay silent, let alone stay in the room.  My brother and sister both believe in God.  They pray.  They have a relationship with Jesus.  But I think if they were in town and came to my church with their partners in tow, it would make many people in the congregation uncomfortable.  And that makes me sad. 

Luke 6:31 states the Golden Rule -  ³¹" Do to others as you would like them to do to you".   

 But do you now what it says next? 

 ³² “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! ³³ And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! ³⁴ And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.”     

We are called to love all people as Jesus did– no exceptions.  Its not easy... I struggle with it every day but I try to teach my daughters the Golden Rule by example.  I guess my point of posting this is to challenge you to do the same. 

Collin Raye had a song called "What if Jesus Comes Back Like That" where he talks about our prejudices against certain types of people - a hobo living under a bridge, "white trash" and a drug addicted newborn.  The last chorus goes like this...

What if Jesus comes back like that
Where will he find out hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Will he cry when he sees where our hearts are at
Will he let us in or turn his back
What if Jesus comes back like that
Hey what if Jesus comes back like that