I want to be like that!

Last Monday, our pastor lost his mom. He had just lost his dad less than a month ago. It was unexpected, but he is dealing with it remarkably well. The great thing is they were both believers so we know they are together again and we will see them when we get there. Her memorial service was a true celebration of a life lived for God and used to influence other people. Then yesterday, we started a new series at BRCC about being a servant, and they used Julia's life as the prime example. People got up and shared how she had either led them to Christ or been their spiritual mom and mentor. Then a group of people got up on stage that had been led or mentored by those people. Then, people stood up from the crowd who had been led to Christ or mentored by those people. All to show the "ripple effect" that one petite, non-educated, non-wealthy, non-famous woman who surrendered herself wholly to God and serving others. At the end, we sang "Wholly Yours" and it was awesome to watch the people on stage sing. People who don't sing on the worship team or play in the band- just let it rip and totally worshipped. My only thought: I want to be remembered like that!! I want people to be able to say that I had a servant's heart and I influenced generations of people to follow Christ. Not to glorify me, but to glorify God. I want people to be able to say they were changed because of the life I lived. Don't you want that too??

Contentment

Sometimes it's hard to be content, no matter how hard you try. Take my job, for instance. I was getting restless, ready for a challenge, so I applied for a different position. I was told that I was qualified, but not for the particulars of this position, but the next time it came up I would be the first person considered. I was upset at first, but after reflecting on how God gave me this job and it's the best one I've ever had, I decided to be content with where I am at this time. Then yesterday happened. I won't go into details, but there is someone in this company who continually looks for everyone's faults. It is her opinon that people should not make mistakes (except for her, then it's not her mistake, it's someone elses) and should do everything perfectly, all the time. Well, unfortunately, I am not perfect. Which in this case is not really relevant, since I didn't make a mistake, she is just convinced that I did. What she said and did yesterday and today have caused me to once again become uncontent in my job. I am looking for the real reason- is it because I would like more to do? To try something different? Or because I just don't like working for this person anymore? Is it to the extreme that I might not wait for this other position and just work somewhere else? I don't know. What I do know is that I prayed for this job, and God blessed me with it. So that makes me think maybe I'm supposed to stick it out a bit longer and see what happens. I know now that contentment is not something I can ask for once; it is a daily prayer. True contentment, that is all anyone can really ever ask for.

After an amazing weekend

What do you do after a weekend such as this? I am emotionally drained, and physically spent, but I couldn't be happier! God showed up in such a huge way and touched so many lives with a few stories and a lot of obedient children! He also reminded me that life is so precious, and can be taken away whenever He decides to call us home. Today I saw 4 people come to Christ in obedience and declare their devotion to Him by being baptized that were a direct result of two people who just came to Christ last July, then their lives were tragically cut short by a drunk driver just six months later. But their story lives on, in the changed, transformed lives of these new believers. When they played a video of the couple, the husband held up a card: on the front was his life before Jesus: "running from God", and on the back was his life after Jesus: "walking with God." In the midst of my tears, I came to an amazing realization: he actually is "walking with God"- I mean, he's there, in the presence of God, RIGHT NOW!!! I wonder if he and his wife got to watch as their friends came to Christ due to their influence. I wonder if they had front row seat in Heaven as these precious believers were baptized and represented the resurrection. I bet they did...and I bet they were among the loudest cheerleaders as the party went on in Heaven today for 70 souls were once lost, but now are found. AMAZING GRACE, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!!

Little ears are always listening

Today, I got a phone call that made me sit and think about what I say when my child is around. And sometimes even when I don't think she is around. She is with her grandmother today, and she called because she didn't know if she should go to lunch with her grammas friend because she knows I don't particuarly like her. Whoa! As I racked my brain to remember what it is I had said to her to make her this upset about going to lunch, I realized I hadn't said anything about this person to her. I did, however, say something to my husband not too long ago, when we were in another room of the house, not thinking she could hear from her room. It's amazing how little ears hear what you don't want them to, but seem to block out the stuff like "clean your room", "brush your teeth", "don't do that" and other essential things. I guess it's just the way things are, but let me tell you, it will make me think twice about my conversations anywhere near little ears!

The woes of being a Betsy

Growing up, I never thought my name was difficult. Thanks to a doll created shortly after I was born, I was frequently called "Betsy-Wetsy" and of course the ever-popular "Betsy Ross" , and there was the occassional slip-up of "Becky" or "Betty". This didn't happen often enough to get frustrated. However, since the day I moved South, my name has become harder to understand. Of course, I can see how it can be confused with Bethany, Becky, Betty, Bethy, and even sometimes Stephanie. But Judy? Shanna? Kathy? Where do people come up with this stuff? Grant it, I do talk faster than most everyone I encounter around here, but I don't think it's fast enough to confuse me for Shanna- I guess the "Judy" element just works because it has a "y" at the end of it. I have been called more names since I moved here than ever. (and I'm willing to be not all of them have to do with "Betsy" or anything that rhymes w/it :) ) Oh well, I guess it's something I'll have to live with...because I don't feel like changing my name, after all I've had it for 30 years now- and correcting people is a great conversation starter...well sometimes!