I was raised in church. I attended church every week from birth through age 18. I was involved in choir, Sunday school, and even became the president of our youth group. I did everything, BUT believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His free gift of salvation . . . until I attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) weekend in college (as a leader). I saw that the high school kids we were ministering to had something I didn’t. Their relationship with Jesus was real, personal and gave them great joy. I went back to my college campus and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
That was 1983 (aka, a few years ago). The last 30+ years of walking with the Lord have been like the Mamba roller coaster at Worlds of Fun. Fast and furious, full of ups and downs and take-your-breath-away moments . . . but God has been faithful to love me, guide me, and fulfill His plans and purposes in my life.
I’ve learned a lot about God’s Father-heart from being a parent. Just as my heart yearns to see my kids make the right choices, be a blessing to others, and lean in to Jesus, I know my Heavenly Father loves me unconditionally. He has picked me up and brushed me off, given me month-long hugs when I needed them, carried me when I couldn’t walk through the trials of life on my own, and reassured me–even this week–that He is on the throne. He reminds me that He has a plan for my future that is beyond my wildest imagination (in a good way), and that He desires my personal holiness because it will benefit me. God is so good.
So . . . hands in the air . . .let’s scream with joy together over the next hill and through the next corkscrew in this ride called life, knowing that God is a God of adventure, creativity, and love.