Let the Blessings... Begin!

Permit me to make a joyful noise for a little while...

Today was Ash Wednesday, which is supposed to be a somber day in the Christian calendar. It's the first day of Lent, which is the 40 days leading up to Easter. I was all set to be serious today in preparation for my Lent promises (see entry below), but apparently God had other plans. I have barely started on my goal to get closer to God by putting Him first, and already I find myself being blessed! No one big event stands out from today as especially divine, but there were so many little things that added up to a totally God-filled day!

I started out the day with an appointment with my doctor in Hartselle. I have been discouraged for the past few years by my attempts to lead a healthier lifestyle and conquer some health problems that I have. I went to the doctor to check-up on my health and do some blood work. In addition I got a "pep talk," and I walked out of his office feeling hopeful and remembering that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" I drove straight to my dad's church so that we could go eat lunch together before I headed back to Birmingham. I got to go eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Las Vias!

At the restaurant we ran into a church member (it's really inevitable) and her husband. I had never met her before, but as soon as my dad introduced us she gave me the biggest hug and told me she was thrilled to meet me! If that doesn't make you feel good, then you need some Prozac! As we talked to her, we found out that her grandchildren go to the same "mother's day out" program where I work in Birmingham! As we exclaimed over the coincidence, her husband and my dad stood off to the side and discussed hunting. Every once in a while my new friend would look over and whisper to me "I'm just so happy! He refuses to come to church with me, but I know God is working in this moment!" We all talked for a while and then went our separate ways, and later I found out that she had been really sick, and it is a miracle that she is even alive! I felt so lucky to meet her and get to talk with her today, and I hope that the encounter will help bring her husband to the Lord.

As I was walking to the car I thought about the blessings I had already received today. Apparently God wasn't done with me yet! I opened the door to my dad's car and let out a squeal! There on the front passenger seat was my iPod that I thought was lost! I know this sounds materialistic of me, but I was soooo excited to have it back! I jumped up and down and did a little jig! My dad later told my mom that I acted just like a little kid. Dad pointed out to me that this was God working because I hate exercising without my ipod, and that is one of the things I have to do to fix the aforementioned health problems! It may be sort of a silly blessing, but it's a blessing nonetheless!

Whew! I told you today was a full one, and I'm not even done yet! After lunch I went back to the church with Dad. At the church, I got to talk with a friend who gave me some really good insights about how to find my calling. Then I went for a walk on the track to use my beloved ipod! I went home and had a very uplifting conversation with a new friend :-) and then I left for Birmingham.
I attended the Ash Wednesday service with my aunt. Then I was able to speak to the pastor who influenced me so much last Sunday (see the last post) and tell her how much her sermon meant to me. Lastly, I took a Prayer Walk that the youth of the church had set up. It was a very meaningful time. I got to walk through the last few weeks of Jesus' life and apply the lessons to my own faith journey. It was a wonderful way to end Ash Wednesday.

Sorry this post is so long. I have been blessed already this Lenten season, and I pray that God continues to bless you and touch you with His love. Here are the lyrics to a hymn we sang in church tonight.

Lord, who throughout these forty days,
For us did fast and pray,
Teach us with you to mourn our sins,
And close by you to stay

And you with Satan did contend, And did the victory win, O give us strength in you to fight, In you to conquer sin.

As you did hunger bear and thirst, So teach us, gracious Lord, To die to self, and chiefly live By your most holy word.

And through these days of penitence, And through thy Passion-tide, Yea, evermore, in life and death, Jesus! with us abide.

Abide with us so that this life Of suffering overpast, An Easter of unending joy We may attain at last!

Amen!

Lent!

At church last Sunday, the pastor (not my dad, this was a different church) issued a challenge at the end of her sermon. She basically dared us to use this Lenten season to make God #1 in our lives. She used the book "Jesus for President" as an example, and helped me see how our world is so secular that it will take the focus off of God every time! I haven't read the book, but apparently it is fairly controversial and will "change your world."
The sermon inspired me to make God first in my life during this Lent season. It is going to be hard, and I don't expect 100% perfection. I am going to have to give up a lot of things that fill my life, like secular books, music and tv. I'm also going to try to cut down on other wordly things like drinking and Facebook. I'm even going to try to do less boy-watching! :-) These different things take up so much of my life that I will have a ton of free time left over; That's where God comes in! I am going to fill those gaps in my life with prayer, meditation and bible study. Hopefully I'll come out of it on Easter morning a stronger Christian and a more balanced person. I would appreciate your prayers during Lent and beyond!

Rachel of the Well

I've always felt an affinity with the story of Rachel from the Bible. It may have begun because we share the same name, but as I get older and start to wonder where my life is headed, I take comfort from her story. I can picture Rachel taking her father's sheep to the well to drink. She probably had no particular passion for watering sheep, but she did it every day because her father asked her to. One day as she was fulfilling the task her father gave her, she met a man that would change her life. His name was Jacob, and he fell in love with her immediately. After a very long courtship that involved lots of hard work and trickery, they finally got married and started their (huge) family.
What I take from this story is not really about meeting the perfect man (although I hope that will happen one day); instead, I choose to take it as a message of hope and encouragement. If I do what my Father asks of me, the opportunities that will change and enrich my life will find me. Rachel did her job, and she was rewarded. We all have to do what God asks of us, and we too will be fulfilled.
Rachel was lucky: her dad just came out and said "Rachel, go water the sheep," much like my earthly father tells me "Rachel, go get a job!" Hearing our heavenly Father's commands is a lot trickier. Does he want me to continue with the career path that my education and experience offers me, or should I be pursuing something completely different? And what should I do while I'm trying to figure it out? Obviously I am going to have to listen to my earthly father on the latter question.
Eventually -hopefully soon- I am going to discover what my Father has planned for me, and he will reward me and fulfill me. Until then I'll do what I can, like Rachel at the well.