I was driving frantically to the vet last week for the second time, long, long story, which usually involve Emma, but as I was driving through the country, and I noticed this older man bush hogging his yard. It was the middle of the week and he was obviously, retired. I suppose he could have been a farmer his whole life but work with me here people. All of a sudden I got all weepy. Oh my goodness, that is going to be us in just not that long from now. The Cowboy is already talking about "Just think, when I retire, we can do this together everyday," Meaning checking, doctoring cattle and reaching together. My mouth dropped wide open. Please shoot me now. Lord please let the man sell insurance for much longer or grant me the patience to spend every waking moment with him, chewing on me for my plethora of bad farm mooooooves. I'm not sure our marriage would withstand more than weekends of working cattle but I would enjoy seeing him more. But in all seriousness, life is so short! I still feel like I should be in high school and then I walk by a mirror and my Mom is staring back at me. Before long it'll be my Grandmother. I'm not complaining, My family is very attractive. LOL. But I have so much to do! I have big plans for my last fifty years.
In my Bible study last week, Angie Smith was talking about 2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5-7. She said to fill in your own name in the verses. "I charge you Trish, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season, which complete patience and teaching." Whoa. Complete patience? The Cowboy cannot work with me. "As for you Trish, always be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." I'm enduring but am I fulfilling? Folks, we all have so much to do! That's a lot to think about isn't it? Do you ever fill your own name in the Bible? Well He is talking to us and we ALL have a ministry.
On the same trip to the vet, I was listening to some of my favorite old Christian songs. Point of Grace will always be one of my most favorite groups. They are the Wilson Phillips of the Christian world and they sound simply amazing. One of their songs is "He believes in you" and it was playing. A few weeks ago, Emma and I were traveling...shocking I know, and she came across a friend's Facebook page and this friend was openly declaring that they did not believe in God. Upon further searching, it was an ongoing theme and we were both heartbroken. We love this person. "Mom! What do we do???" We pray! And here is the funny part...I hardly know them. She of course knows them much better than me because of school and sports but I've only met them and conversed a few times but absolutely fell in love with this person from the first time I met them. I thought I knew their heart. I could see the kindness in their eyes. Plus, this person is beautiful, highly intelligent and an amazing athlete which are all things I'm drawn to. Who isn't? Not to mention, they speak to me every single time they see me. No matter where we are, they speak. I love that. That wins big Trish points.
This song came on. I IMMEDIATELY thought of this person. Whoa. I'm going to pull over and message them right now. What? This kid will think I'm the biggest freak of all freaks! I can't do that! I hardly know them! MESSAGE THEM NOW. Alrighty then God, I HEARD YOU! Okay, the Cowboy is already looking at me a little funny these days. I'm spouting off Bible stuff left and right and Jesus said this and Jesus said that. I called Jennifer the other day and I said "I think he officially thinks I'm bat shit crazy." We both cracked up laughing and then I said "He's right! Bat shit crazy for Jesus!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And THAT folks, is going to be the title my next book! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm already printing emoji tees. They are friggin awesome.
So I messaged this person. I forwarded the song and all I said was "And I believe in you too." Immediate response. I'm not going into any further details here because I respect this person's privacy, (a little) and I seriously love them and I told them so. But it was a beautiful exchange and I fully believe that God asked me to contact them at that very moment. I also believe that I reached them. God reached them through me. Through my ministry.
We are supposed to fulfill our ministries! I 100% believe that my blogs and my books are my ministries. My youth group and my family are my ministries. And when God makes me do uncomfortable things, well those are my ministries too. What are yours? You have them. Are you ministering?
My sister in law shared a post about taking your kids to church today. It was beautifully written and so very accurate. It's hard but the earlier you start, the easier it becomes and the more they learn and LIFE. IS. SHORT. Give them all the tools they need to succeed. None of us are getting out of here alive. Arm yourself with JESUS! Live forever. Seems so easy.
We just finished Seamless in the adult Bible Study I teach and we decided to try the teen version and teach it to our youth. This study has helped me understand the Bible in such a new and interesting way that I'm beyond excited to share it. I'm just so bummed that I'm 51 years old and just now figuring it out. I would have surely been the Beth Moore of the country world by now if I'd have started sooner. Hahahaha! I just don't want them to miss out on the amazing opportunity to really know Jesus, crave more knowledge of Him and how to pray.
James 5:16 says "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." Well if those words alone don't make you want to live for Jesus, I'm not sure what will. I have many sins. I confess them often and openly. Too often and too publicly according to the Cowboy. Prayer from a righteous person can accomplish much? That's like magical powers folks. I'm in. I'm a sinner. I'm trying to be a better me each day and I believe that's all He wants. And when you grow, He rewards you by showing Himself to you more and more each and every day. So, this growing old stuff? Well, if it took age to get me to where I am, then maybe Gus was right. It's pretty sweet right here.
#BSCFJ that's me. ;)
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