VBS (vacation bible school) ain't just for kids

 A couple months back I registered my kids for VBS. I volunteered, so I got to be a part of the whole VBS week! My kids LOVED LOVED LOVED VBS ( we weren't able to do it last summer because of my work :( and it has been about a year in a half since my kids have gotten to be a part of something like that. They learned songs&choreography, praised Jesus, played games, ate delicious snacks, made crafts, made new friends, re-connected with old friends, learned about facing fear and trusting God through bible stories about Paul.

The thing that BLESSED my heart the most was when Harleigh, my six year old hollered out in the car one morning (after our daily pray out loud in the car time) not to turn the radio on even though we were done praying because she wanted to say her scripture memory verse. I was like what??? Your verse? You already know it? You didn't ask me to help you memorize it! Harleigh said, "I didn't need your help mom!" Then some of the most beautiful, precious, words came out of her mouth....."For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement." 2 Timothy 1:7
Wow yall! To hear my child hide God's word in her heart.........overwhelmed me with emotion, brought tears to my eyes, and challenged me to be more INTENTIONAL about hiding God's word in my heart so that I can claim His promises, be guided my His truth, and be confident in who I am in Him.

So on top of witnessing my daughter speaking from God's word, I was ministered to all week long! I was greeted, prayed with, hugged and loved on by some precious people that I had been missing! People that are a part of my and Jimmy's story.....back to August 2004 right before we got married. People who were standing outside the delivery room door when our children were born. People who took our children to the doctor for us when we couldn't miss one more day of work. People who walk around our home and prayed. People who committed to us and challenged us to go deeper in our relationship with Christ. People that have invested in us even when we couldn't give any thing back or where too immature to realize their investment. Godly women encouraged me, listened to my heart, provided wise counsel and imparted wisdom that I had been so thirsty for.

I feel like in this season of life I am in I have been running a marathon....or a race that is even longer than that, whatever that's called and after VBS week I was given new shoes for my tired feet, cold-clean water for my thirst, a protein bar for my hunger,  and for my weary heart and mind....encouragement from those cheering me on to finish strong and run well.

I realized that the theme Colossal Coaster World-Jesus is the Ride of You Life, "Fact ing Fear, Trusting God" was just as much for me as it was for the kids. The years 2012-2013 have been a time of transition for me. From being a teacher to a home-maker/odd jobber, going to help in music ministry at small church plant we felt like we were called to help with at the time, trying to keep it together financially after cutting our income in half, fighting with Jimmy to stay together and see this marriage through during a difficult year together with lots of unknowns,  feeling lost as to what my purpose was and lonely because when I quit teaching I was alone and all my teaching friends were busy and life is busy and it's hard to stay close to people that we don't work with and see on a daily  or weekly basis.

It is time for yet another season of transitions that need to be made. Jimmy told me they were coming. I just closed my eye, shrugged my shoulders and hoped I could just think about that another day....but more change is coming and I can fight it with tense shoulders, closed eyes, a broken out face, and sleepless nights OR I can face my fears and start trusting God. My Father, my Savior, my Redeemer and follow where he leads because he knows me like no one else. He only desires the best for his daughter and promises to never forsake me!

VBS week prepared me and brought me to a place where I am ready to face some fears, do some things that are new and scary, run my house-hold a little differently, study the book of James and God's word like I never have before and MOST of all helped me experience PEACE. Super-natural Peace that only comes from resting in Christ and turning the steering wheel back over to Him................Lots of NEW opportunities have fallen into my hands this week. Last week I would have been over-whelmed and paralyzed by fear. But, not this week I am facing fear, trusting God with my eyes open and my hand in His....reminding myself when doubt enters my mind that God has got this!

VBS, it ain't just for kids! So glad I said yyyy-yes to vvv-vbs!


BTW, Jimmy and I have been working hard since my last post to choose to believe the best about each other! Our communication with each other and understanding of each other has improved tremendously. ( We know we still have to keep working at it daily) This is a picture from last night. It is just a real, true, candid shot capturing a genuine moment. Not cheesy or posed, or over done like the ones I would normally post or put in a frame, because these smiles are results from what's going on ....on the inside. :)

Thanks for reading and giving me a place to share my heart!
-Linds