Comfortable to Uncomfortable

This morning I had to get tags for our pickup.  The KS tags were expiring & the process of becoming a legal Missouri resident could not be avoided any longer. 

The process at the Dept of Revenue is always interesting.  Will I have all the detailed information they need?  How long will the line be?  How much money will it cost?  Today I went in totally prepared.  Though I was # 29 in line, when I finally got to the front of the line, I had all I needed.  (now THAT is a miracle).  

As I waited in line & reflected, I was keenly aware how dramatically my life has changed in the past few months.  Not long ago, I was living in my dream home, living very 'comfortably'.  

What drove us to de-value 'comfortable' and go to uncomfortable?  Many don't understand why we chose this dramatic lifestyle change.  It all comes down to this:  I want it to be about loving & obeying God, not about comfort.  When I choose obedience, the uncomfortable can become preferable.  That's the way the Kingdom of God works.  It's upside-down & I love it.

"Lord, thank you for being able to absolutely enjoy living in a place that is uncomfortable.  I choose to obey You today."

Energy comes from exhaustion

Over the past week, we had 3 different group events at our home with about 45 people coming & going between them.  By the end of the weekend, I was pretty tired.

Before the night was over, however, we got a phone call from a couple who had been through earlier in the week with one of the groups.  They asked, "Can we come over & talk to you about our marriage?"  All of a sudden, there was some energy & anticipation back into my body.  This is why we are here, why we open up our home, why we stay up too late for our age, why we clean up the house before and after, why we serve!  

We know that God has and IS doing some miraculous things in our lives and in our marriage.  We are so grateful for the opportunities to be able to share His life & hope with others.  The group activities may be fun & relational, but our motivation for having them is for the purpose of ministry.  Ministry happens most effectively from relationship.  

So as this week starts, I am asking God to guide us DAILY to people.  I believe that my purpose is to connect people.  This may happen through a cook-out to establish relationship.  But I want them to connect to Jesus.  When we are living out the 1st commandment to love God with all we are, the 2nd commandment to love others will be a natural overflow.  

Lord, thank you for the life and hope you have restored in me.  Keep coming & changing me so that I will love you more.  It's from this place of love that I know I will be able to love others best.