To say last week was CRAZY would totally be an understatement! You know the saying, "when it rains it pours?" Ha, well that is how it has been here! Crazy! Crazy! Crazy! Last week was filled with so many emotions. Feelings of hurt, disappointment, doubt, betrayal, relief, excitement, peace.... So, as you can see, crazy just doesn't really depict the week I had. That's what I love about Sundays! For me, Sundays means church time and that means I can be refreshed, renewed, and encouraged about my present situation and my future. This past week was a BIG week for New Journey Church (the church BJ and I currently serve) It was our LAUNCH service at the new location.. so to say Sunday was crazy would again be an understatement. (But it was crazy in a good way! The atmosphere was filled with so much excitement and expectation from the staff and volunteers) New faces, old faces, happy faces, tanned faces, young and old began to fill the theater and I just knew it was going to be an amazing service... and it was!!!!
Service was coming to an end and I needed to use the restroom. These days my trips to the bathroom are a lot more frequent so I decided to get it out of the way before everyone was dismissed. As I walked back into the theater, I hesitated to walk back down to my seat (which was on the front row) because I didn't want to be a distraction. As they were closing in prayer I figured it was a perfect time to make my way back to the front so I could grab my things. As I got down to the front, a young lady made a B-line towards me, wrapped her arm around my shoulder, and whispered in my ear, "you have something hanging from your butt." I looked over my shoulder to find a loooooonnnnggg piece of toilet paper hanging from my jeans. I tried pulling the paper from under my shirt, only to find out that the piece that was hanging out was only half of the piece that was in my pants! I quickly shoved the toilet paper underneath my shirt and did a quick glance to see who just saw this happen. Well, remember all those new faces I was talking about, those old faces, tanned faces, happy faces? Well they were all now surprised faces!! I began laughing hysterically and I could feel my face turning as red as a tomato. Just then my father in law introduced BJ and I to the congregation letting them know that we are his kids and that we are the newest members to the staff there at New Journey... So now all of those people knew exactly who I was.
I rushed out to the bathroom to take care of my situation and as I walked out to the foyer I was greeted by the people who just seen that happen. Each person came out to tell me one of their most embarrassing moments that they had experienced, trying to make me feel like "I wasn't the only one" It was just too funny. I was still laughing uncontrollably!
As we were driving home, a refreshing thought came to my mind... "sometimes in life you are going to have toilet paper hang from your but & that's OK!" I was going into that service expecting one thing and I walked away with something else. Life isn't meant to be lived out so seriously and sometimes you just have to learn to laugh hysterically when things don't happen your way, or listen to the silly stories of others to understand that you are not alone!
People say that when life gives them lemons they have learned to make lemonade... well for me, life gave me toilet paper and I'm OK with that!
FOR CLARIFICATION: Anytime I use a public restroom I "waste" a lot of toilet paper by throwing the piece that is hanging away... I usually throw away a huge piece (it's one of those things I do) SO, the piece that was hanging from my butt was not USED toilet paper LOL
***Also, I am so very thankful that that young lady told me rather than letting me walk around like a crazy woman! If someone has something in their nose, on their butt, or even smelly breath... tell them!!!! :))
What's your most embarrassing story? If you would like to share your story with me and others, just leave it in the comment below.. I can't wait to read and laugh with you!!!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
It doesn't always make sense, but it always works out for our good -P2
So, why does God allow us to go through hard times? Why does he allow pain, hurt, dissapointment to be a part of our lives? Why does he allo bad things to happen to good people?
I know that I am not the only person who has asked these questions. There have been many times in my life where things just didn't make sense to me... I didn't understand why things where happening either to me or to the people I love and care about. This time, it was no different to me... Why did God allow me and BJ to lose our first baby? Why didn't he step in and heal me? Wouldn't that make more sense? It was a few days after the surgery, and I was laying down in my bed and was led to
ROMANS 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
In all things.... GOD WORKS.... in all things.... GOD WORKS.... that means in the good times... HE WORKS, in the bad times.... HE WORKS... in all things... GOD WORKS.
The Bible is filled with dedicated, God fearing, on fire, children of God who accomplished great things for the kingdom of God, but every story is coupled with times of uncertainty, times of trial, and times of pain. In this life we are going to face things that do not seem fair and when we give our lives over to God, it does not exempt us from such pain or tragedy. When we surrender our lives to God, we are simply giving Him the power and the ability to WORK on our behalf. In JOHN 16:33 we are warned of trouble, but also promised to be over comers- " In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." God is always looking to work on our behalf because he LOVES us!
No, it doesn't always make sense, but it does always work out for our good. Trials draw us nearer to God. They, teach us, mold us, shape us, and prepare us for the life God has for us. I don't remember a time in my life where I have learned something or advanced in my life when things where going well. But it has been in the times of pain and disappointment when I grew stronger and wiser. The enemy puts tragedy into our lives in hopes to steal, kill, and destroy us, but when we stand on God's word and His promises that "He will never leave us nor forsake us," we guarantee victory! Not matter the outcome, no matter the results, GOD WORKS! He is sovereign and is able to do the impossible. Every time we walk through tough situations, we are stronger and more able to face what lies in front of us.
If only the enemy knew that you were going to be stronger, wiser, greater, and more equipped after you have been tried, I don't think he would continue to challenge, and attack the children of God. God allows things to happen to us because He has faith in us, we have been made in the image of God and "no weapon formed against us will prosper." God wants to do the miraculous in each of us, but miracles are birthed out of tragedy and uncertain situations. I knew that God was going to get the final say in my situation, I knew that he was going to do the miraculous.... I just didn't know it was going to be a few months later with TWINS!
Whatever it is that you are going through or have gone through or about to go through know that in ALL things..... GOD WORKS!
JAMES 1 says this: "Faith Under Pressure: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
God's desire is for us to be victorious! He is for you! He is for me!
HERE IS A SONG THAT MINISTERED TO ME DURING THIS TIME OF MY LIFE
"You Are For Me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCXObtC_fk
I know that I am not the only person who has asked these questions. There have been many times in my life where things just didn't make sense to me... I didn't understand why things where happening either to me or to the people I love and care about. This time, it was no different to me... Why did God allow me and BJ to lose our first baby? Why didn't he step in and heal me? Wouldn't that make more sense? It was a few days after the surgery, and I was laying down in my bed and was led to
ROMANS 8:28- "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
In all things.... GOD WORKS.... in all things.... GOD WORKS.... that means in the good times... HE WORKS, in the bad times.... HE WORKS... in all things... GOD WORKS.
The Bible is filled with dedicated, God fearing, on fire, children of God who accomplished great things for the kingdom of God, but every story is coupled with times of uncertainty, times of trial, and times of pain. In this life we are going to face things that do not seem fair and when we give our lives over to God, it does not exempt us from such pain or tragedy. When we surrender our lives to God, we are simply giving Him the power and the ability to WORK on our behalf. In JOHN 16:33 we are warned of trouble, but also promised to be over comers- " In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." God is always looking to work on our behalf because he LOVES us!
No, it doesn't always make sense, but it does always work out for our good. Trials draw us nearer to God. They, teach us, mold us, shape us, and prepare us for the life God has for us. I don't remember a time in my life where I have learned something or advanced in my life when things where going well. But it has been in the times of pain and disappointment when I grew stronger and wiser. The enemy puts tragedy into our lives in hopes to steal, kill, and destroy us, but when we stand on God's word and His promises that "He will never leave us nor forsake us," we guarantee victory! Not matter the outcome, no matter the results, GOD WORKS! He is sovereign and is able to do the impossible. Every time we walk through tough situations, we are stronger and more able to face what lies in front of us.
If only the enemy knew that you were going to be stronger, wiser, greater, and more equipped after you have been tried, I don't think he would continue to challenge, and attack the children of God. God allows things to happen to us because He has faith in us, we have been made in the image of God and "no weapon formed against us will prosper." God wants to do the miraculous in each of us, but miracles are birthed out of tragedy and uncertain situations. I knew that God was going to get the final say in my situation, I knew that he was going to do the miraculous.... I just didn't know it was going to be a few months later with TWINS!
Whatever it is that you are going through or have gone through or about to go through know that in ALL things..... GOD WORKS!
JAMES 1 says this: "Faith Under Pressure: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
God's desire is for us to be victorious! He is for you! He is for me!
HERE IS A SONG THAT MINISTERED TO ME DURING THIS TIME OF MY LIFE
"You Are For Me." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCXObtC_fk
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It doesn't always make sense, but it always works out for our good
I first want to thank each of you who took the time to read my very first (of many) BLOGS... I was so overwhelmed by your response and I look forward to many more conversations, comments, and chats about my BLOGS to come.. I have always loved writing; in fact I am at the beginning stages of writing my first book! I am however, so very critical of my writing and often waaaay over think every sentence... books, magazines, blogs, the WORD of God have helped me and shaped me into the woman I am today. What really inspired me to write blogs was a conversation I had a few months ago with my cousin Monica... it was a conversation I had with her during one of the most challenging and tragic times of my life....
A few months ago, my husband and I found out we were pregnant!!!! It was the scariest, most amazing, feeling I had ever felt... I can remember it as if it were yesterday, me sitting in front of BJ (my hubby) holding a pregnancy test making sure I DID in fact see two lines. I was so surreal and so incredible. All I could do was laugh. I had always seen it on movies when the couple find out they are expecting and I had seen my friends and family experience this moment, but this time it was me. So many questions filled my mind; are we ready for this? Are we old enough to have babies? Is this going to forever change our lives? Are our parents going to freak out? For what seemed like forever, BJ and I sat in our living room and smiled, cried, and kept pinching ourselves because what we had just found out didn't seem real. We prayed that God would watch over my body and that "no weapon formed against us would prosper." We knew that this baby was so much more than just a child, but that it was a promise from God.
We wanted to tell our family first so we had to go back to work and pretend as if nothing life-changing had just happened moments ago. I, of course, immediately got online and began to read all about what was happening in my body, how big the baby was, etc... It was so much fun looking at all that was happening inside my body. BJ and I were on cloud 1000! My in-laws were out of town so we wanted to wait to tell them in person, which meant we had to wait to tell my parents and our friends... you know, it was impossible to keep such amazing news a secret so we told our closest friends. It was so amazing seeing their faces when we told them.
A few days later, I experienced some spotting and it was like a huge wave of fear came over me. I immediately told BJ what was a matter. I knew something wasn't right. When I told him what was happening we both decided we were not going to jump to any conclusions and run to the hospital. We didn't want to start this pregnancy off in fear. We had our first appointment just a few days later and so we decided to wait until then to speak with a doctor. Out of all the emotions we had experienced throughout those few days, not one time did I fear something was going to happen to my baby. I continued to pray and believe for the very best. I have always had strong faith in God, and not someone who is fearful. That Sunday morning, I went to church, but left during the service with severe cramping. I knew something wasn't right so we decided to go to the Emergency Room.
It was like a really bad dream that I couldn't get out of. Doctors and nurses coming in and out of the room where I was, drawing blood, running tests; all saying something was wrong without saying anything. The whole time we prayed and declared God's word over me and the baby. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that everything was going to be OK. The doctor came in and told us that I was going to have to go into emergency surgery because they believed that I was having a tubal pregnancy. I remember it as if it were yesterday, I looked at BJ and told him to call every person we knew to pray! As the doctors left us alone for a few, we prayed like we had never before and had NO DOUBT everything was going to work out.
It was a matter of moments and I was ready and prepped for surgery. It was so scary. I had never gone to the hospital for anything, never had an IV, so all of what was happening was so overwhelming. BJ called our family and friends. In one breath he announced that we were pregnant and in the other he told them why he was calling. A few of my friends and my pastor met me in the room before they sent me in for surgery. We prayed and believed God for the miraculous.
About an hour later I was coming out of surgery and I asked the doctor what happened. He told me that it was in fact a tubal pregnancy and that they had to remove the baby. The first thing that came out of my mouth was, "I don't understand." I was immediately reminded of a morning I spent praying a few months before that. I woke up one early morning crying. I didn't know why I was crying, except I felt as though someone had passed away. I couldn't shake it so I got up, made myself some coffee and began to pray. I started praying for my family, my friends, my husband, my life, etc and all of a sudden the only words that came out of my mouth was "I Trust You" I kept saying that over and over and over.
So, as I was being taken out of the OR, I heard the Holy Spirit ask me, "Sarah, do you trust me?" and all that kept coming out of my mouth was, "Lord I trust you, Lord I trust you." It didn't make sense nor did I really want to say that I trusted God, but deep within me I did.
It was the hardest thing I had ever been through, and the most challenging time of my life. The days to come were difficult as I was not only healing physically, but also mentally and spiritually. I had moments where I was OK, and then moments where I would just cry. Our friends and family, our pastors and church family rallied behind us and were there for us every step of the way. They encouraged us and believed with us that all things were going to work out for our good. I remember one conversation in particular that I had with one of my friends and we got on the topic of Job. We were talking about how Job went through so much trial and that he lost everything, but God gave him double. I had heard this story many times and I usually talked about it when someone was going through a tough time. We so often use it to encourage people that God is faithful and that he will give us more! But at that time of my life I saw this story so differently. I asked my friend, "what if Job didn't want double, but he just wanted what he had?" What was so significant about God giving Job double and not so significant about him just letting him have what he had? What was the purpose of allowing what happened to us take place. I knew that God was able to prevent what happened to us but he allowed it...why?
In my next blog I will continue on this thought and show why things don't always make sense, but how they ALWAYS work together for OUR GOOD!
* I write my story in detail because what I have gone through shouldn't remain a secret but instead it should be shared... God has brought me sooo far from when this stroy took place, and even writing about it makes it all seem so real and very emotional again. Thank you for reading my story... can't wait for next week's BLOG!
A few months ago, my husband and I found out we were pregnant!!!! It was the scariest, most amazing, feeling I had ever felt... I can remember it as if it were yesterday, me sitting in front of BJ (my hubby) holding a pregnancy test making sure I DID in fact see two lines. I was so surreal and so incredible. All I could do was laugh. I had always seen it on movies when the couple find out they are expecting and I had seen my friends and family experience this moment, but this time it was me. So many questions filled my mind; are we ready for this? Are we old enough to have babies? Is this going to forever change our lives? Are our parents going to freak out? For what seemed like forever, BJ and I sat in our living room and smiled, cried, and kept pinching ourselves because what we had just found out didn't seem real. We prayed that God would watch over my body and that "no weapon formed against us would prosper." We knew that this baby was so much more than just a child, but that it was a promise from God.
We wanted to tell our family first so we had to go back to work and pretend as if nothing life-changing had just happened moments ago. I, of course, immediately got online and began to read all about what was happening in my body, how big the baby was, etc... It was so much fun looking at all that was happening inside my body. BJ and I were on cloud 1000! My in-laws were out of town so we wanted to wait to tell them in person, which meant we had to wait to tell my parents and our friends... you know, it was impossible to keep such amazing news a secret so we told our closest friends. It was so amazing seeing their faces when we told them.
A few days later, I experienced some spotting and it was like a huge wave of fear came over me. I immediately told BJ what was a matter. I knew something wasn't right. When I told him what was happening we both decided we were not going to jump to any conclusions and run to the hospital. We didn't want to start this pregnancy off in fear. We had our first appointment just a few days later and so we decided to wait until then to speak with a doctor. Out of all the emotions we had experienced throughout those few days, not one time did I fear something was going to happen to my baby. I continued to pray and believe for the very best. I have always had strong faith in God, and not someone who is fearful. That Sunday morning, I went to church, but left during the service with severe cramping. I knew something wasn't right so we decided to go to the Emergency Room.
It was like a really bad dream that I couldn't get out of. Doctors and nurses coming in and out of the room where I was, drawing blood, running tests; all saying something was wrong without saying anything. The whole time we prayed and declared God's word over me and the baby. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that everything was going to be OK. The doctor came in and told us that I was going to have to go into emergency surgery because they believed that I was having a tubal pregnancy. I remember it as if it were yesterday, I looked at BJ and told him to call every person we knew to pray! As the doctors left us alone for a few, we prayed like we had never before and had NO DOUBT everything was going to work out.
It was a matter of moments and I was ready and prepped for surgery. It was so scary. I had never gone to the hospital for anything, never had an IV, so all of what was happening was so overwhelming. BJ called our family and friends. In one breath he announced that we were pregnant and in the other he told them why he was calling. A few of my friends and my pastor met me in the room before they sent me in for surgery. We prayed and believed God for the miraculous.
About an hour later I was coming out of surgery and I asked the doctor what happened. He told me that it was in fact a tubal pregnancy and that they had to remove the baby. The first thing that came out of my mouth was, "I don't understand." I was immediately reminded of a morning I spent praying a few months before that. I woke up one early morning crying. I didn't know why I was crying, except I felt as though someone had passed away. I couldn't shake it so I got up, made myself some coffee and began to pray. I started praying for my family, my friends, my husband, my life, etc and all of a sudden the only words that came out of my mouth was "I Trust You" I kept saying that over and over and over.
So, as I was being taken out of the OR, I heard the Holy Spirit ask me, "Sarah, do you trust me?" and all that kept coming out of my mouth was, "Lord I trust you, Lord I trust you." It didn't make sense nor did I really want to say that I trusted God, but deep within me I did.
It was the hardest thing I had ever been through, and the most challenging time of my life. The days to come were difficult as I was not only healing physically, but also mentally and spiritually. I had moments where I was OK, and then moments where I would just cry. Our friends and family, our pastors and church family rallied behind us and were there for us every step of the way. They encouraged us and believed with us that all things were going to work out for our good. I remember one conversation in particular that I had with one of my friends and we got on the topic of Job. We were talking about how Job went through so much trial and that he lost everything, but God gave him double. I had heard this story many times and I usually talked about it when someone was going through a tough time. We so often use it to encourage people that God is faithful and that he will give us more! But at that time of my life I saw this story so differently. I asked my friend, "what if Job didn't want double, but he just wanted what he had?" What was so significant about God giving Job double and not so significant about him just letting him have what he had? What was the purpose of allowing what happened to us take place. I knew that God was able to prevent what happened to us but he allowed it...why?
In my next blog I will continue on this thought and show why things don't always make sense, but how they ALWAYS work together for OUR GOOD!
* I write my story in detail because what I have gone through shouldn't remain a secret but instead it should be shared... God has brought me sooo far from when this stroy took place, and even writing about it makes it all seem so real and very emotional again. Thank you for reading my story... can't wait for next week's BLOG!
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