The Drunk Man

I can't sleep. It's Sunday, 12:15 a.m. and I have to work tomorrow. God's speaking to my heart. LOUDLY. He's been speaking things to my heart for several months now, but tonight it's blaring so loud I can't hear anything else.

Tonight we were sitting on our porch reading our books when an old man came walking up the sidewalk. He was mumbling to himself. As he got closer we both realized he was very drunk. He nearly fell over into our bushes in the front of the house and wandered back and forth on the sidewalk making his way to his house a few doors down. For a moment, my focus was directed inward. "What if this guy can't find his home and tries to go into ours instead?" But soon a huge wave of compassion swept over me.

We spent the afternoon getting to know a couple in the church we've been attending. He used to be a heavy drug user, alcoholic, abusive. Then, Jesus delivered him. He's a new man, a new creation. It was an amazing testimony of God's healing, saving power.

...So back to the old drunk man. Maybe a few years ago I would have chuckled a bit as he wandered down the sidewalk. Maybe I would have shook my head in disgust at his lack of self control. Not tonight. Tonight, I wept inside. I wept for a soul that's lost. I wept for those who are wandering. I wept for those who are chasing after things that will not fill their empty hearts in the end.

I've been pondering a message I heard several weeks ago. A specific question was asked and I cannot shake the thought or the answer to. 100 years from now, the ONLY thing that will matter is "what have you done with Jesus?"

As I listened to that incredible testimony this afternoon, I rejoiced. God IS still in the business of delivering people. He is the Great Shepherd and He is so gentle. He goes after the sheep that has wandered from the flock. He has an incredible, unending love for us.

Realizing the love that Christ has for me spurs me into action. All of a sudden, my heart starts to want what His heart wants. It grieves for things that grieve Him. Then He starts asking me to do things that might be a bit scary at first. But He is 100% trustworthy and soon the uncomfortable things He's pushing me towards become real possibilities.

He's working on my heart and that's a good thing. He's asking me to take another step of faith and that's a good thing too. What is He asking you to do?

Road Trip

I was trying to save every minute of my allotted vacation for when we got the call to come get our kids, but......

Sometimes, you just gotta leave. So we hit the road after the parade and a nice lunch with the in-laws.

We arrived in the cities and checked in at The Depot. We were just two blocks from the Mississippi River where fireworks would be displayed that evening.

I have three words for you: hot. stinky. humanity.

We managed to find a small patch of grass to sit on and people-watch as the sun set. The fireworks were good, but they made me proud of our little town who manages to put on a pretty impressive show. Granted...this is just one show of many that are held in the city.

The next day we explored the downtown area and ate some phenomenal food. Sorry, no pictures of us on this trip. Trust me, it wasn't pretty. Do Minnesotan's sweat? They all looked incredibly calm, cool and collected. I had leg sweat dripping into my flip flops people. It was nasty.

Salsa three ways? Yes please...

My goal was accomplished. For a few hours my mind was off work and the adoption. We had a lot of fun together despite the excessive heat.

Yesterday we finished our long weekend getaway by roaming The Mall of America.  I didn't really have any purpose for going there as I purchase most of my clothes second-hand but we did find a few things for Stephen. I don't even know why I try finding pants that fit him. It's impossible. The man is a giant. 

We ate a late lunch at Bubba Gump, I got a pedicure and ended up buying a dress 50% off at Eddie Bauer. It was a good day and a good way to get our minds off things for a little while. I still had a teary moment when I checked email on our way home to find no updates, but God is faithful and He will complete what He started. 

I'm uncool too

Many years ago, I made a decision to not watch rated R movies anymore. I got a lot of flack, but I've never felt like my life was lacking because of this decision. Recently, I came across this blog post. This is not meant to be a "holier than thou" message, but an encouragement from one sister-in-Christ to another to BE CAREFUL!

Many "Christians" really aren't interested in hearing the truth of God's Word lately. We've made excuses to live like we want to live despite what the Bible says how we are to conduct ourselves. We all struggle with our sin nature, but God gives us the tools to win!

You can read her post HERE.