Today was Father's Day and I had the pleasure of spending quality time with both of my dads. So I felt like even though I know he will probably never read this, I just had to sing the praises of my earthly father. Although He doesn't yet know the Lord, He is such a perfect example of the way God loves me. Today I was flooded with wonderful memories of ways that he has just loved me relentlessly and sacrificed for me. Two particular times come to mind that always bring a smile to my face...
This one time, I was staying at my friends house for a number of nights and hadn't been home to see my parents in days. I was in the neighborhood so I called my dad to meet him for a quick hug before I headed back to my friends house. So I met him just by the onramp to the highway and to this day I wish I had asked my friend in the car to take a video... As I pulled in about 20 feet from my dad's truck, I saw his face light up and just beam with adoration as he jumped out of his truck and ran to the front of it... He began to wave his arms and was shaking at the knees with world's biggest smile just for me... Just for one hug. As I ran towards him, he was literally in tears as he jumped up and down like a four year old at Disney World for the first time. He held me so tight and didn't let go. My daddy loves me. I can't wait until the day he comes to know Jesus so I can thank him for the incredible, tangible example he has been of Christ's love in my life.
A few months ago I was in a rush to hit the road (probably running late for something) and I was scrambling to get out of the house. I was taking my mom's vehicle because it was raining and I would be taking the highway for an hour to reach my destination. My dad always sits with me while I do my make-up in my room, and as I was running around the house gathering my purse and all my last minute goodies, dad disappears outside, when I finally made it to the front door, I meet my dad coming in... He had carried all of my bags out to the truck in the pouring rain, in his sock feet. This was probably March or April, so we're not talking a nice summer sprinkle, it was a downpour, but he didn't care, he did it without a second though. He has taught me what sacrifice for others looks like, and has set a high, high standard for the man who plans to spend their life with me.
Much like my last post, I have no real destination or route planned out for what I want to say. I've just had such a rush of realization in my heart for my need to serve the Lord. Tonight as I was cleaning my room, my iTunes was on shuffle and Diamond by Amanda Falk came on. I had never heard this song before, but have you ever felt like a certain song was written just for you?
This was God's love song to me today.
luxury wasted, beauty untasted
gold undiscovered in a wasteland of lovers
used and abandoned, traded and unwanted
hidden and haunted
she's a diamond in the rough
a diamond in the rough
how do you say goodbye
to everything you know?
how do you leave behind
what holds on to you the most?
she's cold and she's dated
and all hope is faded
where can she turn and where can she go
nobody sees and nobody knows
so she sits and she waits in the dark and the cold
a diamond in the rough
I've had so many conversations lately that have really caused me to reflect back and see all the way God has changed my heart and my mind, and the way He so gently wrote my redemption story. It's still so cool to look back at the way my life used to be, and the way God has transformed my whole heart and shaped it more like His own. I mean, there are things that you just know are God.. Because my selfish heart would never do away with some of the things I gave up to follow Him, all glory to God for that.
I don't know everything, but these are the things I know for sure, and they have proven TRUE in my life...
If you are questioning following Christ, pursue Him relentlessly. Don't know what that looks like? Neither did I. I met Jesus in a canteen at a golf club all by myself. I became addicted to reading my Bible while hiding in my room from my friends and parents. I lost friends, and made enemies, but I promise you no human would give up a life for something less satisfying than the one they walked away from... FAITH became more than a word to me, it became a life style.
If you are questioning following Christ, pursue Him relentlessly. Don't know what that looks like? Neither did I. I met Jesus in a canteen at a golf club all by myself. I became addicted to reading my Bible while hiding in my room from my friends and parents. I lost friends, and made enemies, but I promise you no human would give up a life for something less satisfying than the one they walked away from... FAITH became more than a word to me, it became a life style.
1) He keeps His promises, this I know.
2) His Word is TRUE, do not test it with sin. What God says goes, period.
To live is Christ and to die is gain - Philippians 1:21
To live is Christ and to die is gain - Philippians 1:21
