Run From Church Or Restore To The Church?

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This is a very personal blog post, but something I am so excited to share with others. It seems as though my fingers can’t type as fast as my excitement is carrying me, but nonetheless, I will try to relay my thoughts about this journey of restoration I have been on in the church. It has been AMAZING! And God has done such incredible things!

I feel so blessed, and I hope that this will help bless others as well. I never want any blessing to stop with me. I hope I’m broken in such a way that whatever God pours into me spills out of my imperfect cracks and into the lives of others. I believe blessings are best when given the trickle effect and touch many lives.

I have been in a class at our church, our Deaconate program, and after class I witnessed God healing another area of my broken church life from my past. I grew up Catholic. Roman Catholic. So, it meant that I ran so far from the church when I reached adult hood and completely avoided anything remotely “catholic” or “churchy” as to avoid being hurt again in my life.

“Run, Forrest, Run” was not even close to how I felt about church or getting near anything “religious” in nature.

But, thankfully God didn’t let me run forever. He called me back in my late 30′s. And in the process of returning to church and trying to find everything unchurchy, He began a new process of healing me. But, I realize now, that the healing is taking place, because He’s gotten me to a place of:

• Stop
• Listen
• Learn
• Heal
• Restore (through the very things I once ran from)

I have learned not to run from the church and all things “churchy” or anything remotely “religious” and have instead learned to EMBRACE them. Learn about them. Understand the history behind it. Understand the culture. The heritage. How the traditions fit into our worship and churches today. Jesus is relevant. The cross is relevant. And we can’t have church without those things in it! We’ve got to have the body of Christ be the Body of Christ. It won’t work any other way, and if we carve too much of the church, it’s elements, the history, culture, etc. out, soon we are left only with hollow carcasses and soon the tradition and relevance is gone and a thing of the past. (Just my thoughts—some of my questions/answers and prayer time with God that I wrangle and ponder now and again.)

Now that I understand and have begun to learn about the relevance of history, it’s place in our culture and traditions,  I find I am being healed and restored TO the church, TO Christ, TO fellowship with the Body, and am no longer running from it. “Come to ME all who are weary…..”. It was time for me to stop running and truly be restored to His peace.

Religion CAN hurt. BUT through Christ and His body we can be restored. The amputated parts that have been hurt and we’ve hidden as a result can finally be reunited with the whole, and the body CAN be restored in mind, body, and spirit. No longer is it necessary to keep carving, changing, rearranging ourselves and our churches to meet needs as sprinting individuals, because our needs are not individualistic but more-so universal and as one body.

Last night I was given a hand-made set of prayer beads after class, and it brought back so many memories of the Rosary and my youth. It reminded me of the time in my life that I wanted to become a Nun. I hadn’t held anything close to this type of “religious” material other than my Bible for years. And as I held it and received instruction on how to use it in my prayer life, I found my heart glowing inside. I could sense how God was continuing to restore me to what I had run from and cut myself off from in my quest to church in something that didn’t resemble church to avoid dealing with the hurt of the past and possible future hurts.

I no longer find myself running from the past performance based hang-ups and running to the restoration He is offering. What I ran from, I now embrace and hold dear. My relationship has been and IS being restored through this healing process. God has healed. God has restored. God is piecing the pieces of the church and my experiences together and bonding them.

No longer do I run FROM the church but instead run TO it to be a part of it  (not apart from it), participate in the Body, and stay connected to The Head, Christ.

My prayer is for anyone reading this who has or IS running FROM church or religion….DON’T. Pray and ask God to heal you, restore you, and to help you EMBRACE it. Let Him work all things for GOOD in your life. Give your hurts to him and allow Him to restore you. It is a journey well worth it.

(BTW, I’m not debating religion, denomination, or anything that could separate. These are merely my thoughts and personal experiences with restoration vs. the running that I personally experienced. And I feel blessed and grateful. I merely wanted to share how God is working in this restoration process.)

New Delhi to Varanasi on the Swatantrata S Express (Train No. 12562)

Reblogged from nomadruss in words and photos:

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Normally taking the Shiv Ganga Express to Varanasi from Delhi, I opted for the Swatantrata S Express last time in order to have a couple more hours of daylight on the train. It paid off. What follows is one morning shooting out the window from the 2nd Tier AC section of the Swantantrata Express. So kick back, get a cup of chai, and enjoy the journey. I’ll be leading a photographic workshop to Ladakh, India, with Todd White, this May. We hope you’ll join us! Nomadic Routes Photography and nomadruss.

Incredible journey, and I wanted to share. I have such a spot in my heart for India and her people. Enjoy!

The Battle Of “Whatever the *%^%* I Want”

I’ve been thinking a lot about a few young kiddos I’ve encountered in the past week. And this seems to be their attitude. It just makes me cringe, yet I also know how important mentoring our youth is. I know and understand that some kids just don’t have the supports they need to know the difference between rules, boundaries, and living a carefree yet wreck-less life.

There is a battle. And it’s between personal self, freedom, and the right to do whatever one wants, and denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus.

Luke 9:23

New International Version (NIV)

 ²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Despite the truth, below is a perfect example of what this generation is being taught. And it’s what is being fought. I don’t have the answers. But I do know that I will continue to pray and BE an example as I mentor, lead, and live by example.

It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s not about us. It’s about Christ and following Him. Yet, this is what many of our youth see. They see the right to do whatever they want, when they want, how they want, and it doesn’t matter what anyone says about it.

In some instances, THIS is the only role model a kid has…

THIS is what they see…

THIS is portrayed as normal…

THERE IS no respect for adults, parents, rules, or limits. (Yes, those are his parents participating in case you’re wondering.)

Scary, huh?!

Just remember: Maybe your kids don’t see this. And maybe your kids are surrounded with positive role models. But for every one of yours there are probably countless others out there who are being raised in this me mentality without anyone to say, “This is just not right. This is not reality.” And somehow we can all make a difference.

Ideas? (Positive and constructive steps we can all take?)

Watch the video:

This Little Light Of Mine…

I’m gonna let it shine!!!

Image by kschlot1 via Flickr

Something for us to ponder. It’s been running through my mind lately, and I thought I’d share it.

If we dare not put God in a box, why do we put ourselves one?

When we put God in a box, we run the risk of limiting who is he is and what He is capable of based upon our own limited minds and understanding. And when we put ourselves into a box so we don’t seem weird, abnormal, or different, we run the risk of doing the same thing by limiting how God can work through us for His glory.

If we walk in the Light, and the Glory of God is lived in our lives, then why do we box ourselves into a conformity that

limits the very essence of who He is? Why do we box in the essence of the uniqueness of who we are in His image?

We walk this earth and carry the light of our Lord inside us. And it cannot be easily seen from the interior or conformity of a box. You are the light of the world, so get out of the box and live as He calls you. Live a life out of the box doing what He tells you to do, reaching out to those He places around you. Use the gifts, talents, and resources he’s given you. And let your light shine!

GET OUT OF THE BOX and do not conform to the patterns of this world.

Live your life. Be weird. And crush the cardboard that binds you!

 

 

Everything But A Piece of Peace

As I listened to Mozart in my office this morning, I became acutely aware of a thought process taking place in my head:

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If we spend our entire lives in search of a “piece” of what it really means to live “the good life”, we lose the “peace” of simply living in a content state of gratefulness while acknowledging the very blessings found in what we already possess.

I think classical music makes us smarter. Or it simply gave me a changed state of perspective. In the world of life management, it is essential to stop trying to keep up with  the demands constantly placed upon us to have, do, be, absorb, and carry, and instead demand that we give ourselves time to gain a sense of peace. And to find it, all it requires is the ability to stop trying to get a piece and simply receive peace. So often, I see and coach people (including myself!) that are living life at the speed of technology. And our minds and bodies just aren’t cut out to do this. And when our systems start to get overloaded, we wonder what’s wrong with us. We are all seeking a piece of peace, yet we’re so busy trying to get a piece of everything available, we lose the peace of the puzzle we need to most.

It’s time to stop living for a piece of it all, and reclaim some real peace which is found is trying to obtain so much less. This is how we will have a piece of peace and truly have what we’ve been missing.

What Would You Say To A Young You?

Believe it or not the following was my Facebook status. I am never short on words as most of you know. And I

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decided it probably should have been a blog post. So here it is, now on my blog. It’s still on Facebook. I just wanted to share it here, too:

After my first day being a Youthmentor, I want to say this to every adult out there. Think about what it was that you wished people would’ve said to you when you were young. And think about why. What difference would it have made if someone told you that you were pretty, too? Or that you had what it took to achieve what you thought you couldn’t? Or to encourage you?

What would you have wanted people to say to you? Do you know? Now, say it to your kids. Say it to your neighborhood kids. Say it to the kids you see in church. Say it to your grandchildren and nieces and nephews. It’s so simple. And they need to hear it as much as you did. As much as you still do. You matter. And I know that because God has given you life. Let’s make life count and use it to inspire and encourage those right around us. It’s an easy mission field, and you’re already on it.

To Do: Laundry, Meeting, Work, Dance With God

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I started to update my Facebook status with a few thoughts as I studied various passages in my Bible, and I guess I got

a little carried away! I think it’s more or less turned into a blog post, so here it is. As I thought about getting in the word, carving out time for God, and wrestling with all of life’s constant demands and necessities, I had two thoughts as I read scripture:

Include God in all we do by focusing our heart and minds on Him, and instead of merely waiting to have a clear calendar to do it now!

If you’re like me, a clear calendar is not in your future. And to be honest, I really don’t want a clear calendar! I love what I have been given to do, and I want to do it well and faithfully. Yet, I wrestle sometimes with the thought of having the TIME available with all the multi-tasking that sometimes takes place in my life.

Regardless of whether I am running errands or taking my kiddo to the doctor, I can be embraced in worship internally, doing those tasks as if for the Lord, and be locked intimately in His arms, cherishing the time I am lost in Him, dancing as I carry on. Sounds so intimate, doesn’t it? It is! It is a very intimate relationship to know and let my soul dance with the Lord! I don’t want my life any other way! Exist so I can simply accomplish tasks on my to do list? No, thanks. I’ll dance through this life embraced in intimate worship of the Lord, my God.

On those days when things just don’t stop, and I wrestle with the demands placed upon me, I find rest knowing that I can still focus on God and spend time with Him despite it all.

Two verses that inspired these thoughts:

Ephesians 6:7-8
7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Colossians 3:1-2
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Next time you’re so focused on the “things you have to run around and do or get done today” and you don’t know when you’ll have time to be alone with God, try giving thanks to Him for having those things to tend to and experience the joy of Him in them. Praise Him in all you do right then and there, and do it as if you’re doing it or the Lord! As you go about accomplishing all those things, you’ll find your heart and mind centered on Him.Suddenly in the midst of all the chaos and madness of the moment, you’ll find yourself getting lost in the midst of the daily tasks.

We don’t have to let the demands of life steal our time to be in spirit with God. Don’t wrestle with it and end up frustrated over it. Prioritize and focus to make Him the center of our lives regardless of the circumstances we are dealing with or despite the tasks that have lined up for the day. On the days you can get away and be still with Him, DO IT. And on the days that despite your best efforts, you find yourself with not a moment to spare, turn your mind to Him and be with Him right where you are.

Focus on Him, carry on, and let your spirit meet His as you go…

to that meeting.

to that appointment.

to that task.

Let go of the demands. Seek Him. And dance…

Where Would God Leave A Sticky Note?

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My daughter was walking around the house looking for the remote control this morning, because it’s nowhere to be found. Apparently, we have a remote monster that picks it up when no one is looking, and deposits it in a place that would make it difficult for us to find it. All it really means is that someone walked to the kitchen with it and set it down, took it into their room and left it, or walked outside to check the mail leaving it on top of the mail box as if to let our mail person know that we are really that absent-minded. The remote-monsters are not real, nor do any exist in this household. But the forgetful people who don’t like accepting the responsibility of moving them are real and do exist. So, we have a search party organized from time to time to locate the lost item.

So………this made me think for a minute. If we were looking for the answers to prayers, direction, life challenges, and various situations, where would we look? And to take the question further, how HARD would we look? Would we run to God first? Or would we find that we’d be looking at another resource if we thought it would be easier? After all, if we want an answer right now, we should just search for the remote control. In fact, how long should a person look for a remote? But, if all it took was prayer, why wouldn’t we pray right then and there? Would we spend all day looking for a remote, or a book, or a person whom we felt qualified to answer our questions, sort our issues, or tell us what to do? How long would we look? How hard would we look? And if we ran to another resource such as television, a book, or other item, would we forget to run to God or His word first? If we always ran to something other than God and spent our time looking for answers in other things, what would we find we would run to?

The truth is, in coaching I see people run to all sorts of things in a frantic state of “fix it now, and get me out of this mess”. People search longer and harder for remote controls or devices created to entertain themselves harder than they search for the truth. And yet the truth is not hard to find. It’s readily available through prayer and The Bible.

But, we’d rather find the remote and turn on the TV. Why? Because it’s painless and it probably involves less change. Instead of making changes, we can just stare and watch, and find entertainment in the idea of change, without actually having the discomforts of making change. Sometimes the remote feels safer. The book is less invasive. A stranger is easier to agree with my rationale. But does it really help when things get sticky?

And then I imagined of all things a sticky note. Would God leave a sticky note on our remote control that says, “I’m here!”? Would He leave a note on our laptop or Ipad that says, “I have what you need!”? Would he leave a note on our cell phone that says, “Please consult me first!”? Where would God leave a sticky note reminding us to seek Him first? What item or person or thing do we usually run to first if there is something we run to before God? Oooooooooh, that’s a sticky question!

Next time we do this, or think about consulting something before God, it would be a good reminder to think of a brightly colored sticky note from God stuck to it with a simply worded and “to the point” reminder from Him, reminding us to seek Him first.

What do we run to when we need answers or solutions? What do we run to when we have free time? Are we missing the notes that God has left for us in the midst of our daily lives? We don’t have to look hard. We just need to open our eyes to Him and pay attention, and then MAKE THE TIME and prioritize Him. We tithe money. But do we tithe our time? Do we ever see the sticky notes? Do we stop and take it to Him? What notes is He leaving us these days? And in what locations?

What if God left us a sticky note that simply said, “See me.” How long would it take for us to seek Him? Would we go right away? Would we take it to him in a day? Would we notice it in a week? A year? What if we never saw it? That made me stop and think about all the things I might search for in my lifetime. And I want Him to be such a priority that I seek Him first on my own, and especially if He should leave me a “See me” note, that I would be aware of His tug and take it to Him immediately. There are so many things that can take our time, energy, and focus.

The sticky note is a good way to think about where and how we spend our time, and what WE stick to in our lives. Would we find a sticky note on a remote? At the office? On our mp3 player? On our sports jerseys?

And I pray God stick his notes to us with a God strength glue to remind us to focus on Him and not just when life gets sticky. But that we would stick to God, because He is the glue that holds us together, bonds what is broken, and speaks truth into our lives that we need not just when life gets complicated, but rather every single day.

 

The Promises of Our Creator

I decided to post these thoughts this morning, and it has been one blog issue after another. Don’t know why, but it will not post correctly despite my attempts to correct it! Please disregard the spacing. I believe it’s a WordPress issue, since I’ve reformatted, reblogged, and started from scratch. But, here’s the message anyway.

Here’s my Facebook status from this morning:

Christine Pechstein

2 seconds ago

Reading Romans 4, drinking coffee, and eating home cooked cinnamon apple oatmeal. They ALL contain a powerful punch to help get my day started! (BTW, if it’s been awhile since you’ve read Romans 4…take five minutes. Romans 4:20-21. Wow. BELIEVE he is capable and live like you believe it! WOW! Preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ!!!!! It’s ALMOST here!

I got up and fixed my family my “famous” oatmeal for breakfast, made a pot of Hazelnut coffee, and grabbed my Bible to satisfy my hunger for time with Him and to absorb the nutrients for my soul from His word. My oatmeal is famous, because it’s the one item I can fix and not burn. Or at least I haven’t ever burnt it. Yet! J

When I awoke I wasn’t as hungry for my oatmeal or craving my freshly brewed cup of coffee as much as I was craving God. But the three of them together packed such a powerful punch to jump start my day. Amazing and beautiful in such a simple Friday morning.

I opened my Bible to Romans 4 and was reminded of Christmas being not just about the baby Jesus being born, but WHY God sent His son to us. I was reminded of the promise, and what it means in my life today. God is with us. And Jesus justified me to be counted as righteous not by my actions or abilities, but through my faith in his son, Jesus.

Yes, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. But when I focus on what that birth means to me even now, today, and for all my days ahead-It sends shivers down my spine to remember that that is my family heritage! Holy cow. I am a descendent of Abraham! And these are MY promises, too! I have been justified not by works (thank goodness, because I could never uphold the law and be without sin!) but because I am a descendent who follows Abraham’s faith. I read many of these passages over and over again and just pondered them in my heart.

 

Romans 4:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

 

I am living this promise. Today! And every day! And I truly do believe that God sent His son as justification for my sins, because I am so incapable of ever living it all right. So what does His gift and the promise mean to me through my faith?

Romans 4:13-17

New International Version (NIV)

13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

 

Wow. Merry Christmas!

How powerful is our faith! How powerful is our family history! How powerful are God’s promises and gifts to our future! The birth of Jesus was the only gift I’ll ever need in this lifetime, and I received it, because of God’s grace. Not only that, but Abraham is our father in God’s sight as it also says, “God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not”. God calls things to exist that were not beforehand. We may know that on the surface, but do we ever ponder it deep down?

Think about ALL of creation. Before God called it to be it didn’t exist. This is the Creator of EVERYTHING, the One who called it into existence! What can he not deliver if He himself has promised it?! Do I believe this when I think about receiving his promises?! Sometimes I think we think we believe things on the surface, but we forget to believe down deep in our souls what it means to REALLY believe what God is absolutely CAPABLE of because of WHO he is.

Stand back…stand in awe…yes, that is some powerful revelation taking place in the deep spot and God is that MAGNIFICENT! God. IS. Capable… of delivering HIS promises!

Do we forget this sometimes? Do we forget we are descendents and heirs?! Wake up! Stop fretting! God delivers His promises! See our heritage and what He’s promised in the Bible! It blows my mind. It’s a “wow” moment!

Romans 4:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Abraham didn’t waver in his belief that God had made the promise, but that God had the power to deliver his promise! I thought about my life today. Do I truly believe what God has promised? Or, if I believe in God’s promises, do I TRULY believe that God has the power to deliver His Promise? I know that sometimes we get SO worn down that we start to doubt. Yes, God made promises, and we believe He did. But we may get so discouraged that we start to doubt that He will deliver his promises. Yet Scripture reminds me of what God promises through His son. And he delivered it.

We can live all the rest of our days in expectation of the promises fulfilled! I can be fearless-because God is capable of delivering His promise. I can go boldly-because God is capable of delivering His promise.I can believe Him-because God is capable of delivering His promise.

Romans 4:18-20

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[a] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

 

As I think about my faith, my heritage in the story of God, and all the promises that God made and delivered (the promise to Abraham and Sarah of a son despite their old age and Abraham’s faith despite this!), none is as amazing to me as the promise and birth of Christ, The Messiah. I imagine the virgin Mary sitting in the stable holding the newly delivered infant, Jesus in her inexperienced arms being a mother for the first time, witnessing a miracle and holding the God’s promise. It’s just another reminder to me that shows how capable God is of delivering His promises than the delivery of our newborn King through the virgin Mary.

God delivers. Even if the only available place is in a stable. There IS no place on this earth He cannot deliver His promises. And we can believe this. Because it’s written and promised to us in the family heritage in our Bibles, and is the direct word of Our Father. Romans Chapter 4 is just packed with the promise of Abraham’s descendents. And it reminds me to be strong and unwavering in my faith and belief in what God is absolutely capable of.

Merry Christmas.

Thank you , God, for this precious, precious gift. May you continue to prepare our hearts for this celebration! May you remind us of just how capable you are, and how you bring your promises to pass. May you help restore faith to those who have lost sight of their hope by reminding them of their heritage and the promises that are found in it. And may you bring peace and restoration to those who have placed their faith in you and belief in your Son. Amen.

When Your Kids Grow Up: Transitions From Your Care Unto His…

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As a mother, it is not only my responsibility to be a good parent, but it’s a joy to do a job well done. And I take so much pride in that. It’s not selfish or unhealthy pride. But it’s knowing I’ve done my absolute best and given nothing short of excellence  in the work I do, doing it well until it’s completed properly, and yes, this even relates to parenting my kiddos.

I want to give them the best:

• advice
• teachable moments
• life lessons
• view of living and walking with Jesus daily
• taking care of things
• leaving the world in better shape than when you arrived
• being grateful
• courteous
• respectful
• honest
• loved……

This list could go on and on. And something else it includes is street smarts. I want my kids to know how to look out for scandals. The dishonest. The schmoozers. The slackers. The cheaters. The liars. The thiefs that they could somehow trust and wind up having to learn the hard way.

And guess what I learned: I can’t protect them from all of this. All I can do is raise them smartly. Ground them in God’s word and purposes. And leave the rest to God. One I’ve done all that, I have to trust God as they become grown ups.

Everyone who follows my posts and blog knows that I am taking another big step by readying myself for my oldest daughter’s departure for college in 2012 after her high school graduation. It’s a process. It’s a transition for my mind. And an even greater one for my heart. She will be attending school out of state. And honestly, I could not be more proud of her. This girl has busted her rear, worked hard, studied hard, and I’m delighted to see her rewards and blessings.

As we visted the University of Missouri-Columbia last weekend, I began to ready myself for her big step. And every single fear I had about her going to school out of state was eliminated. Every question I had, concern, and how is this going to work out for her became one solution and answer after another while we were there. It all fell so seemlessly in to place that I couldn’t deny that God was orchestrating her future and very involved in it whether or not she knows it.

When we returned home, I still had one question: What about her international studies when she goes to study abroad and participate in archaeology digs? The university has a GREAT international studies department to help the students set everything up. But how will she transition when she gets there? What if? How? Hmmmm…my mind was still pondering and questioning.

So…………..today I go to get an identification badge made so I can volunteer and be a mentor in our schools, and I meet a woman whom I’ve never met before. And we begin chatting about the students. We talk about our ages. Our kids. And she mentions her daughter who is living overseas in London and how it was a difficult yet incredible transition for her when her daughter went.

I mentioned my daughter wanting to study abroad at the London Archaeology school which is one of the absolute best institutions. And she said that her daughter is an international student recruiter at a university and can help my daughter. She can answer any questions. She can even take her “under her wing” and show her the city, get acquainted, learn how to use the buses-everything!

Seriously? Wow. Thanks God!

This has become a HUGE lesson in raising my kids and preparing for this transition of being under my care to suddenly being out on their own as they move into their adulthood. When I become limited in what I can do for them, protect them or show them to teach them the ropes, when I’ve taken it as far as I can, He has others lined up and ready to help them navigate on their own to propel them into their futures and according to His purposes.

I have never seen this more clearly than ever. And not a moment too soon.

This mamma has had more peace. I’m ready to watch her transition. It’s my time to let go and let God position her. It’s been a learning experience for her. And for me. I feel so blessed. Thank you, Lord for watching over ALL of your children.

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.