Letting Go of Me & Holding on to You, Jesus

This past Sunday we had a fundraiser at our church for a team from our church going to St. Louis, MO this summer. Much time, effort and prayer had gone into the planning of the program. Everything was ready and going as planned. Then I got a phone call. Curve ball!

One thing we prayed before the night begin was that no matter the results God would get all the glory. Whether the church was overflowing or only 5 people showed up; whether we ran our of ice cream sundaes or we only used one bucket; whether I tripped and fell flat on my face or got through the night without a mishap (this was my personal prayer). Whatever the outcome, God would get the glory, honor and praise. 

Well, the night went great! Our church was full with only a pew or two open, we did have enough ice cream, the singing group [The Saratoga Boys gospel quartet] sounded amazing and our church band did a super job. We raised more money than we thought we would, and guess what?!? Not a single person tripped!! :)

But that was not all that happened that night, no. Like I said, the evening went great; but admidst all this, God wanted to teach His daughter {me} more about Himself and conform her more to the likeness of His Son, Jesus. About 45 minutes before the concert started, I got a call saying that my brother was sick and not coming. I would have to do his speaking part and get some other guys to do his other jobs. Not so hard, right? Then why was I so nervous? I usually get nervous when I speak in front of crowds, but for some reason, after this phone call I was in a bit of a tizzy!

That night God humbled me. He showed me that I sometimes start relying on my own strength instead of on His strength. God stretched me-I was put on the spot and out of my comfort zone, having to step up and do more speaking since Caleb was unable to come. When I had to ask other guys in our church to do some of his task for that night, that was out of my comfort zone-I don't like asking people to do things at the last minute and this was very last minute! "Would they even say yes?"

I had some trouble with the presentation about the trip concerning what to say and how to say everything. My prayer was that God would speak through me and that the words I said where His, not mine. So basically, ''Here's what I have, Lord, please be fill in the cracks."

Even during this time of teaching and molding-which is humbling and crazy and amazing all at the same time because the Creator of the universe, He cares enough to reach down and not let me stay how I am, but to change me-He showers me with blessings! Friends that live about 2 hours away came. It meant the world to me to have them there! They loved on me, encouraged me, and showed up. God showed me through these friends, a little taste of His love for me.

I so desire to become more like Jesus everyday! But honestly, sometimes I don't like being stretched or put out of my comfort zone. But if I really do yearn to become more like Jesus, than that means change, because of sin, I am not naturally like Jesus.

"Lord, I pray that we would yearn for You. May we hunger and thirst for Your Word. God, thank You for not letting us stay like we are-all broken, cracked and full of ourselves-but for changing us more into Your likeness. Thank you for teaching us, Your children. May we learn to surrender to You and Your will."