Finding grace in two broken Walmart bags!

I literally am wondering how to put my thoughts together today.  I wonder if there are words that make sense to what God has been teaching me.

I'm so amazed at this journey that I'm somewhat speechless.

A few short months ago, an amazing young woman found refuge in our home.  She was broken in more than a few pieces.  She had just come through detox and needed a place to stay for a while.

When we picked her up all she had with her were 2 torn Walmart bags.  We quickly realized more than anything, she needed a big dose of love and hope! 

How is it that she would soon become a precious gift to us.  I've never thought that a beautiful gift could come in a broken package, but this time it did.

We learned about Chelsea through a dear friend.  I can't thank you enough Dave for sending her to us.  I know it had to be God ordained.  Chelsea would move in with us and we would grow to love her like a daughter.

We would spend hours sharing our stories.  She would open up about the brokenness she experienced.  We would share our pain with her.  We would have many late night talks.  

Sometimes laughing hysterically into the wee hours was like good medicine  Those late night talks would be fuel I had hoped, for her to begin to live again.  To live whole and free of her pain.

In a short amount of time she became one of our family.  As much as we think we might have helped her, she helped us.  I learned a lot from Chelsea.  That the bottom is very deep and to help her climb out would take a village.  Our family and friends united.  We were a force to be reckoned with. 

I would again believe that God was really big and he was up to something bigger than us. 

I knew very little about the pain and addictions she struggled with.  But God didn't care.  He said "I'm with you. I'm Immanuel." God with us!  I learned it doesn't matter what we know. It's that we cared that mattered. 

God would show me again that he would use our pain.  It was through the heart break of Jayden and Brooklyns diagnosis of Sanfilippo syndrome that fueled an open heart of love for Chelsea and to help her land in the midst of hope. 

 She changed me in so many ways.  I wouldn't exchange the last few months for anything. My heart is bigger now because of Chelsea !

She taught me without words about Gods grace.  I saw it in her.  I know God uses hard things to get our attention.  Where I used to run away from them.  I'm now learning to run toward them.  It's when we run forward, grace shows up. 

I knew that all I could do was be myself and to listen a lot.  God would slowly remind me again that he doesn't call the equipped but he equips the called.

I realized I didn't need all the answers because I certainly didn't have any.

A lot of love and hope mingled with faith became my mantra!   Sending up prayers  was like breathing!   

It seemed every step we took with Chelsea we would hear a voice behind us saying this is the way walk in it. 

I'm thankful for this course that Chelsea took us on.  I've learned a ton.  I'm extremely grateful for the lessons.  She came with two broken Walmart bags but she left us with her bag full of hope and a future and now an entire extra family. 

Chelsea has gifts galore to share with the world.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for her.  I know that she will share her story some day to help change lives.  I'm glad we could be one chapter in her book. 

Rock on Chelsea!  You are amazing!  You are going to thrive again.  You will soar!  Thanks for changing my life.  

We were the lucky ones.  I knew the minute we heard about your story we were ready to say yes to the call.  You and your two broken walmart bags taught me more than you'll know. 

I'm always amazed when God shows us grace and even more when grace shows up in 2 torn bags.  You wrecked us for good Chelsea! 

We have now exchanged those 2 torn bags for a piece of luggage. 

She's now on her next lap of her journey. She's now in the heart of Florida palm trees and sunshine learning how to overcome some obstacles and she will.  

So thankful for Chelsea's parents for sharing her with us.  For stepping back a few steps so we could enter her life. Allowing God to do the work that only He could do. 

She will thrive!  We are all in this with her.  Because He is Immanuel - God with us! 

We love you Chelsea!  You have two extra tag along parents now.  Sorry.  Deal with it!!

 Jeremiah 29:11-12 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Just take steps

 I usually wake up in the morning to a to-do list of sorts.  Its not an actual written down kind of a list.

But today I ignore that list and I ask God to give me His list.   Just maybe He has something to say that i need to hear. I think I need to listen more and speak less. 

My mind always wants to race to the finish line,  but not today.  I need to settle my heart.  I seek a stillness that mostly eludes me.  

My mind takes me back a few years, shortly before my dad passed away.  

My dad was a sweet humble man.  As he got a little older and as he mellowed, his heart was pure golden as was his age.  

I remember as he entered into his 80's,  he was still serving in the church in a variety of ways.   

I have this sweet picture of him quietly walking down the church hallway with a limp in his step but a huge sized heart.  

He was always looking to serve in some small way, but realizing there were many things he could no longer do.  But he was still taking steps.  

He loved listening to the young childrens memory verses as they were eager to share with him.  

I see him sitting along side them with a gleam in his eye and joy in his heart.  I know that brought him purpose, much more than I knew at the time.  

That memory doesn't go away for me.  It makes my heart smile.  He was secretly incredible.  Everything about him rang forth, humble servant.  

He would continue to ask me if there were any handy man jobs for him to do at my house.  Are you kidding me?  Of course, need you ask.  He would show up with his tool box and get to work.  It gave him pleasure to serve.

He just took steps. 

Even though his body was slowing him down his heart shouted, keep on serving.  

This memory continues to stir my own thoughts about the courage to serve. 

Altho he never knew it, he instilled in me a servant heart by just taking steps.  

Steps of faith, steps of love, steps of humility, steps of courage.  Brave steps!   Those are not easy to do at times. 

I had an incredible example.

I think that taught me, the more I take those steps and think about others needs the less I worry about my own self worth.  My own agenda is less important.  

God hones in on my to-do list and crumples it up sometimes.  His purpose prevails.  So mine increases as well.  

I find, like my dad that serving with, to and around people is what brings joy.  So that list I mentioned gets put away for another day.  I know those things will get done eventually.

So I turn to The One who will instead unsettle me in a fresh way.   My servant heart begins to grow. 

Finding every new step is a step of faith.  Even when we have no idea what that next step looks like.  I hear a voice behind me that says.......

Be courageous and just take steps! 

Our faith is stretched and those steps become clear.   That He is right there taking them with us. 

Thanks dad for your reminder to me.  Steps you took with me, for me and for those you loved.  You taught me well!  I'm a blessed girl! 

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Matthew 20:26

Not so with you. Instead whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 

Psalm 4:3 

Know that The Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself, The Lord hears when I call to him.