I Am a C…..

I am a C-H.

I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N.

I have C-H-R-I-S-T in my H-E-A-R-T.

And I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y.

This song randomly pops into my head. Sometimes I’m in the shower, sometimes I’m driving home from work, and sometimes I’m trying my damnedest to fall asleep. There’s no rhyme or reason. Nothing triggers it. It’s been this way since I learned it in church probably 35 years ago. When I first learned it, it was just a catchy tune. But now? Now it’s so much more than that.

I don’t talk about it often enough. I don’t shout it from the rooftops. I don’t start conversations with strangers by saying, “Hi, I’m a Christian.” The truth is, I am, and I should. I should be more vocal about the fact that I’m a Christian. As Christians, we’re called to spread the love of God and share His word.

This year has been one of challenges and changes for me. Physically, professionally, and emotionally. When I turned 45 in January, I unknowingly joined ed the We Do Not Care Club. You’ve probably seen the Tik Toks…women in perimenopause or menopause who are unapologetically themselves. I didn’t even know this club existed, but I’m proud to be a member.

I used to care way too much about what other people thought of me. Not just people I know, but complete strangers too. We’re talking, I’d stop singing in my car when I passed another vehicle for fear of being judged. Why am I telling you this? Well, not only do I no longer stop singing, 90% of the time it’s Christian music that I’ve got cranked up when I’m driving.

When I was in elementary school, there was a program called Release Time Bible Study. For one hour a week, we’d get to leave school and walk over to the church to learn about the Bible. The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me. Anyway, one day at RTBS, the leader told us all to close our eyes. She said if we wanted to accept Jesus into our heart to raise our hand and we’d be saved. I raised my hand. Now, my mom prayed with me when I was little. She sang me “church songs” and taught me about God. But that moment when I raised my hand, that’s the moment that sticks with me as the beginning of MY journey with Christ.

My faith has evolved since that day. It’s ebbed and flowed, intensified and wavered. I’ve stepped away from the church at times, but never from God. In the past two years, my faith has grown in ways I never expected. (My daughter, Faith, has grown too…into an incredible wife and mother. But I digress, as my sister often does). I’ve been more involved in my faith. While it’s always been a part of who I am, it’s so much more prevalent in my daily life nowadays.

My sister and I went to see Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and Josiah Queen this summer. What a powerful evening surrounded by God’s love. Hearing thousands of people sing the praise songs that dominate my Apple Music most played songs ignited my spirit. I just can’t get enough of that Jesus music. No matter what’s going on in my life, I know I’m not alone. God’s got my back.

I’ve never been one to force my religion on anyone. While I wish everyone believed in God the way I do, I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has the right to decide for themselves. I pray that my family and friends know God and believe that we will live eternally in Heaven with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I’m rambling, like I often do. Today I’m spending a couple hours with members of my church at our first “Prayer Pause” event. It’s a drive-thru prayer experience. We’re inviting people to pull over and let us pray for them. They don’t even have to get out of their car. We pray for them, give them a small gift, and they’re back on the road. We’ve been out here for an hour. A few people have honked and waved, but only one has stopped. This sweet Christian woman saw us waving as she drove past, and she turned around to come back! We prayed for her, and she prayed for us and our ministry. This is what the world needs more of….more love, more acceptance, more Jesus!

So I’ll say it again…I am a Christian. I’m proud to be a child of God. I pray that each and every person reading this finds happiness in their life, believer or not. I love you all!

**If you read this whole thing, God bless you. Comment with a Purple Heart emoji, a butterfly, or a rainbow, and I’ll know you took a few moments out of your day to read my ramblings. I appreciate you more than you know!***

“Be strong & courageous” ~Joshua 1.9