PERSONAL

I am slowly reading through the book "God Crazy - An Adventurous Road Trip to Joyful Surrender." It has been a better read than I would have expected. As I sit in the coffee shop with my friend Sarah and we are both doing stuff on our computers I read this line in the book.

"He often allows tough situations so that we can learn to trust Him in every area of our lives."

How much can you agree with this in your life? I know that I have learned soooooo much from the tough experiences that I have had. I look at the tough times in raising four girls - at the time I was so frustrated and wondered how I would get through. Now I know that I can be there to encourage someone else in their parenting. I didn't do as bad a job as at the time I thought I was. I think every parent has felt that way before. I look at the tough times in ministry - wow have we had them - at the time I wanted God to get us out right away. I look now and know that God will use that for me to understand how another pastor's wife might feel and be there for her. But hear this "when God comes on the scene and becomes our director, we are transformed." Isn't that amazing to think about transformation? If we are all honest we know that there are areas in our personal life that need some transformation. Look out when you open up yourself to God and stop trying to take over and let him become the director. You will be blown away!!!!

Some of you may ask "how? I want him to take over but I just don't know how." I was there way too long in my life - until - I joyfully (most of the time) surrendered completely to Christ. I do not have it all together now and never will - surrender is daily, but the more you seek Christ every day the more fun surrender becomes.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt. 11:29-30

Surrender is getting personal with your Savior. The movie "You've Got Mail" is our family girl movie. Whenever all us gals are together we watch that movie. There is a scene in the movie where Kathleen was talking with the man who put her out of business. He says "It wasn't personal...it was business." To which she says "Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal." Amen!! A relationship with Jesus should begin by being personal - not just business.

Seek him and he will be found.