I Stand Amazed in His Presence

The Lord never ceases to amaze me. In spite of me, He continues to include me in the big picture of life.

Despite the fact that I don't always honor my husband and sometimes might raise my voice at my kids...

Despite the fact that I quite often pass by the hurting, broken-hearted, and lonely...

Despite the fact that I don't often make the wisest of decisions...

Despite the fact that I clinch my fists at Him when I don't get my way and spit fire when I'm mad...

Despite the fact that I often times shut down when I'm hurting and try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders...

Despite the fact that I, at times, neglect my time with Him because, in my mind, there is something better I could be doing with my time...

Despite all of this, what astounds me so is this- and it is a fact, a truth, an absolute- when the Lord looks at me, He doesn't see what I am, He sees what He has created me to be.

To Him, every mistake is a learning experience; every hurt is a wound He can heal...

To Him, every person in my life is a relationship in which He can be the foundation...

To Him, every fist raised is His time to grab hold of me and pull me close to His side...

To Him, in spite of the many weaknesses of my flesh, He sees the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, covering all of my imperfections and continues to bless my life beyond my wildest dreams.

A few months back I received an invitation to attend a Precept Ministry Leaders Gathering. Although I have done several of Kay Arthur's studies, I am not an "official" PMI leader. I was taken aback as I read the invitation and wasn't sure how or why I had received it. Knowing that for little ole' me, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, I accepted the invitation.

Still unsure why I received the invite, I walked into Green Street Baptist Church last Thursday night, heart pounding, palms sweating, trying my best to hold back the tears. I sat on the second pew of one of the most beautiful sanctuaries I have seen in a long time. Stained-glass images lined the walls; the cross hung above the baptistery inviting all who entered to experience the refreshing Living Waters of Life.

Mrs. Kay brought us a message, a challenge, a call to arms from Ezekiel 22. She encouraged us to dig deeper into the Word of God, to stand firm upon His Truth, and to proclaim this Truth to the lost and dying world. I'm still processing all she shared from this passage of Scripture. As the Lord leads, I will share with you what He is teaching me.

After her message, I spent a few minutes talking with her and her assistant, still unsure why I was even here. But, my uncertainty slowly began to fade away as God revealed His plan for my being in that place at that time. We wrapped up our conversation, I hugged them both, thanked them for their dedication to the Lord, and told them I would be in touch soon.

I walked out of Green Street Baptist Church the same way I walked in- heart pounding, palms sweating, trying my best to hold back the tears. Once again the Lord left me in a state of astonishment at what He desires to do in and through my life in spite of me. I have NO idea what the future holds, but I know the One who holds my future in the palms of His hands. He has begun something new in my life and I am so excited to see where this road will lead.

"For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun!

Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."

Isaiah 43:19, NLT