I grew up in church. I actually went to church the very day I came home from the hospital. I was baptized in that very church. I was married in that church. That church was my life.
But something was missing. Although I grew up in church it didn't seem to be enough. My parents had always been an example to my brother and I, but I could see that something was missing there as well. There was a joy that was lacking.
When Tim and I became engaged we had to make some big decisions. I had a graet job in Whitley County. A job that I would be able to keep if I stayed, but Tim was in seminary 90 miles away. We debated where to live. Here. There. We struggled with it.
Then I realized that until I moved away I would never find religious freedom. So, we moved. I quit my job. (Boy did I get rediculed for that!) We took a leap of faith! As school came around I hadn't found work. Many told me it was because I had made a bad decision. So, I started believing that. Little did I know the Lord was teaching me lessons about Faith, Love, and Trust.
After a month of no promises of work money was running thin. I was beginning to worry that we wouldn't be able to make it. That Tim would have to quit seminary. That I had destroyed my teaching career. Worst of all, we'd visited tons of churches and hadn't found anyhting that led me to believe that Christ centered churches existed. But then, when things seemed lower than ever God showed up BIG!
One night I literally laid face first in the floor and cried out to God. I begged with him to open my eyes to all that I was missing. I pleaded with him to show me his way. In that moment of weakness I felt his strength. Things started to change.
Tim had heard about this church called Vineyard. They claimed to be a church of faith, hope, and love. They claimed to serve the community. They claimed to do a lot of things. I was sceptical. But we decided to vist.
This is where everything changed. For the first time in years I felt freedom. A weight was lifted. The spirit of the Lord was there. Alive. Active. Stirring in the hearts of the church.
We saw the church loving the city of Lexington. We served along side our church members. We came as we were, but change was expected. But this post isn't about that...
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Three years later Tim and I are still members of VCC. This past Sunday our church held a back to school blessing for the students in the area. It was a big deal. There were ballons, t-shirts, braclets, and school supplies gallore! But that isn't what I want to share.
Kevin prayed over the students. Parents laid hands on their kids. Strangers prayed for strangers. The kids were full of joy. But then, Kevin prayed for me. He prayed for teachers. He poured out blessings on us. He prayed for protection. He prayed for peace. He prayed for our well being. He prayed that we would not be silent. He prayed that we would be a light for our students, parents, and co-works.
I can honestly say I've never felt the Holy Spirit quite like I did on Sunday. It was like I could literally feel something magical happening inside me. It was the first time I've ever had someone pray so openly for me, for my career, for my mission in life. Words really can't even express it.
They handed out braclet's Sunday. What they say describes everything that I am feeling in this moment in my life. Not just because my pastor prayed for me, but because my God is pouring out his blessings everyday in my life. Is life perfect? No! Do I have bad days? Yes. But am I blessed? 100%, Yes!
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