The Things I've Learned and the People that Misunderstand

Dear God,

It has been an amazing week leading up to Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus. I admit while on the surface I knew the meaning of the Easter Holiday (and I am not talking about the bunny and Easter eggs) I had never LEARNED everything leading up to and the TRUE significance of what the Resurrection of Jesus all meant. Under no circumstances would I get an A if I was suddenly given a quiz but I am learning more everyday and it gives me TRUE HOPE and JOY for my future. I have finally found a place to worship you and praise you to bask in the nearness of your LOVE. I have praised you and prayed to you like never before. I have felt your presence in my life and seen your work all around me. I have met people who Truly LOVE YOU and LIVE WHOLLY (I meant to spell it that way) in your GLORY. They don't preach you they teach you and what it means to follow you and how it will change me. They encourage people from every walk of life and demographic to learn about love and tolerance and seeding hope for others to follow you and live through you. Not just to pray but to fully take action and make a difference in this world and the community.

I have seen a young woman lose her baby at just a few days old. Cling to her grief that only someone has lost a child could possibly understand. Ask you why, and I am sure she had her moments of anger and how could yous, decide to give that grief to you as I watched her family rally around her and prayers from friends and family even complete strangers. I have watched the transition in my own daughter as we read and study the Bible. Sometimes from verses and teachings from Church and other times reading from one book or another. Already a loving child she is truly learning what it means to be a Christian but more importantly what Christian doesn't mean.

It is not lip service, it is a way of life. Putting the needs of others in front of your own. Knowing when you are blessed and when to ask for those blessings. In the simplest of terms it is LOVE. It is making a difference for the sake of the greater good and not just for personal gain or accolades. It is helping someone without expectations of anything in return. It is standing up for what is right and for people who can't stand up for themselves. Not waiting for a handout but working when you are able and giving thanks and praise to OUR BLESSED GOD everyday for putting us on this earth to do your work.

I have learned your Glory is greater than I could ever imagine here on earth not just after I am standing at the gates waiting for entrance. There is no shame in asking for your guidance and wanting and longing for the WILL you have for my life. Learning that you will never set me up to fail if I believe in your faith and love and follow the path you have planned for me. I have always thought I led a God centered life, and while I have lived in the outskirts of your shadow I have found out there is so much I am missing.  The more I learn the more I long to learn about you.

The funny thing is I have also learned what my greatest opposition in learning about you will be.... (and I paraphrase)  "Not from the people who don't know Christ but from the people who THINK they know Christ." These are the people who will criticize me the most the ones who have led the Church life will come and dust off their Bible just for me so they can tell me I am wrong.  I have found this to be true.

Learning about you doesn't come from the rows in my church it comes from the circle of people within that Church who have surrounded me with their love for you and their willingness to answer my endless questions and pray with me and for me. People who don't judge you by your shoes, handbag, or your car in their parking lot. People who truly Praise you for your ultimate Glory and Love.

It amazes me still in my infancy of getting to know you how stressful my day can be or how bad I can feel and to be in your presence in your Holy Sanctuary just to be still in YOU. Being with the I AM brings me peace and gives me center. I never thought I would be one to be so vocal about you God. I have always praised you quietly so as to not ruffle feathers. You know what?? This isn't about anyone else but you and my relationship with you. I will never force feed your Glory or Love down someones throat but I will speak my feelings and praise you God. For all you have done in my life, for the blessings I have received, for the people you have put in my path so that I would ask for your ultimate blessings to come into my heart and soul. That your Spirit directs me on the path to your Will for my life.

Dear Lord thank you for the Ultimate Blessings in my life. Thank you Lord for all that you have provided for me. Thank you for listening to the prayers of others so that you could heal me exponentially better than even the surgeon himself thought possible. Thank you God for the love of my friends and family and what you do for them everyday. I pray Lord that you place a Hedge of Protection and Love around them and Lord I especially pray for those who have yet to experience the Ultimate Glory of the Almighty I AM. That in this season of the Resurrection of Jesus our sins are forgiven because he died on the cross for us and by your Grace as our God we are reborn.  In Jesus name I pray AMEN.