Well, my niece got married – right there on the lake at my parent’s house. It was so beautiful. My parents suddenly realized that it was an honor that she wanted to be married there and they really enjoyed the day. I am proud of my mom for keeping it together and allowing herself to enjoy it and not stress to death. (My family can be a little tense and we are naturally loud.)
I ran the sound system because my husband was away in Maryland. (I’m not a sound tech.) Can you believe I played the wrong song for the unity sand moment? (This seems to be something new. Instead of lighting a unity candle, the bride and groom pour different colored sand from individual jars into one larger jar.) Thankfully, my niece wasn’t too sure she liked the song they originally chose for that anyway. So she didn’t mind the blunder.
Other than experiencing the pressure of running sound, I was able to be at peace that weekend with my family. There were a few attitudes and quills but I was not afraid. I actually watched as one of my sisters agonized over something simple and I recognized the underlying tension of trying to win approval. I am certainly not implying that I am somehow better or more mature than anyone in my family. I am rejoicing in the freedom and miracle God has brought in my life. Being at peace and not afraid of being rejected or judged allowed me to encourage, love and minister peace to others – namely my family members. I was truly amazed at how untouched I was by the fear that once used to control me.
My hope is that my family and others will see this freedom and get hungry for it. There is still so much hurting going on. I hope to see my family healed and whole being able to love and trust one another and stop judging. I am not completely innocent – I catch myself judging at times, but then I pray. I don’t want to judge them, I want them to see Jesus and abandon their thoughts, dreams, desires, and actions to Him. That is the only way to be free.
I never understood the verse where the apostle Paul talked about being a slave to righteousness. That used to bother me because I wanted to be free – not a slave. But in order to truly be free, you must lay down your life. It may not sound like it makes sense, but once you begin to do it, you realize what your are laying down are all things that keep you bound to the flesh – to death. When we lay something down, God quickly fills that space with His Spirit – with life. Jesus said He came to give life and that more abundantly. Is your life abundant or is it crowded with earthly thoughts, desires, dreams and actions?
Let the mind of Christ be in you as according to Phillippians 2. Don’t be afraid to lay down the things you may think are important and what you need. Trust God, He is faithful and He is on your side. He is a good Father and wants to pour His favor on you. He wants to give you good gifts. I am living proof and I am inviting anyone who will listen. Don’t hold back. Give all your life to God.
