“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Today I watched Ellie and her friends through the door of their classroom. Joy covered her face as she excitedly popped each bubble. Kids Life Preschool started their fear series today! Mrs. Kelly had them pop bubbles to illustrate that just as we pop bubbles we can also pop our fears like bubbles. We do not have to be afraid when we are on team Jesus! Watching Ellie in this moment took me back to this same weekend last year. It was a year ago this weekend that we came to Visit New Life Washington. I dropped Ellie off in her class with Elizabeth and Corey Philyaw. Two amazing Kid Life volunteers. Have I told you how Fantastic all of our volunteers are? They are so great! Ellie had no fear. This girl, she teaches me so much. Ellie walked in ready for what God was calling us to. More ready then Jessie and I could have ever been. A year ago this past weekend we chose as a family to pop every fear and trust God on this new journey in life. I stood in worship that Sunday morning that we visited, fighting back tears! I hate crying in public. Honestly though, I was so broken and a good cry is just what I needed! I began to pray…
“ Lord why us? I’m not ready for this! Who am I? Are you sure? Lord, please don’t let us down!”
I’ve never been more scared. The more I think about it, the fear I felt wasn’t causing the overwhelming amount of tears. I mean seriously, I had enough tears to baptize a few hundred people. I was really fighting the tears from the complete peace, joy and the feeling of being at home that I felt. I was overwhelmed with a peace that passes all understanding. I stood in a room with only two or three faces who I could name. Not because no one greeted us but because everyone was so welcoming I lost track of names. Why can’t we just all wear name tags in life? I stood in a new room I had never entered before and yet still felt at home. I remember thinking “we belong here!” . As Hannah Merry began singing the words “you’re never gonna let never gonna let me down” I began to cry. I couldn’t fight the tears anymore. That song was for me! I couldn’t even sing the song out of fear that My tears would become loud! Thankfully, I was able to hold back the sobs. Tears fell from my eyes because I knew we were right where God wanted us. In that moment listening to the song sung beautifully by Hannah (who BTW I now call friend) I knew God was telling me “I will never let you down.” This past year since choosing to move here to Illinois we have had to pop so many fear bubbles with Jesus. We have had to trust Him on so many new and challenging levels. Yet I have never felt more at home or more at peace or more in His calling then I do today. God has not let us down on this journey. He has only surprised us with all He has done not just in our life but in our church. We are coming up on a year of living here in Illinois. God has shown me and taught me so much. I have made friends with so many wonderful people. I can’t wait to share all of this with you soon. I’ll leave you with this. When you choose to follow Jesus there will be so many bubbles of fear that rise up and float around in your heart and mind. Be sure to POP EVERYONE OF THEM!
Shine4Him 