{called to ministry}

i remember the day like it was yesterday. i was at SOS in Cincinnati Ohio with our youth group, and we were doing exercises of praying over people and asking the Holy Spirit to tell us what He wanted us to tell the other person. this exercise is done with your back to the person and not knowing who they are, you have 2 minutes to pray (before you turn around)and ask God what He wants you to tell that person.

so of course, i was suspicious and  carefully picked my person. as i stood behind her, i touched her shoulder to let her know someone was behind her, and i felt this burst of energy flow between us- i then started shaking. when the woman turned around, she had to keep her eyes closed until she was done telling me...

i was told this:
"God wants me to tell you today that you are a beautiful butterfly waiting to come out of a cocoon. Its like, you are at a place in life where you are about to realize your calling, and God wants you to know that He loves you and has big plans for you. Whats going on now, is preparing you for what is to come when you burst out of your cocoon. He's got you. He has big plans for you. And He wants you to know that He sees you, recognizes you, and cannot wait to use you. He loves you!...did i get it right??" lol

of course she did!!

all day i couldn't get it out of my head...God wanted me to know that He {noticed} me. and that He was about to reveal His {plan for my life} to me. i was blown away. and felt so privileged! but more so blown away-

later that week, at a session, we were doing an alter call. a lot of us leaders had gone up front or to the sides of the auditorium to pray for students. later in the session, one of the pastors went up and said "any leaders out there that need prayer? anyone feeling called to ministry or know you need to make a life decision tonight? come up front to this corner, and we will do a "calling" prayer time for you"

i had just finished praying for a youth, and bolted up front. before i knew it, i was being prayed for. i was being prayed over and they were praying that my {ministry as a woman would be respected, fruitful and blessed}. that financially i would be taken care of and that my life would begin to take its rightful direction.

after that trip, my husband and i started dating and things were coming together. the next SOS the following year i was engaged and had just quit my previous job (which i didnt get to even do my "2 weeks notice")

again, i went up for prayer and the woman asked me some very specific questions about how much i loved children. "do you work with children?" she asked. as she was praying for me, she said she saw me teaching in a classroom with all these kids watching me while i {taught them about Jesus}. she said kids would notice me. she even pointed out a little child that would catch my heart, and she gave me specific features of a child to look for in the future, and that when I see that child, i'll be reassured that this is what i'm supposed to be doing....

...a month later i started working in children's ministry :)

what have you been called to do (loving people & sharing Jesus can come with ANY job)? actually, the real question is...are you doing it??

{Sara} 

{growing up- doing what really matters}

i like the Message version of Matthew 5:38-48:

"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere? Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.' If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." 

i used to have a sign in my room that said "get over it". which can be rough sometimes, right? but its true. our society wants us so badly to {get what we deserve}, {pursue for justice}, {fight for rights}...does that all really matter when this isn't even our home? we are aliens- here on earth to serve JESUS, to love JESUS, and believe in Him so that we can be with HIM when it really REALLY matters. 

when i leave this world. i will be with JESUS. i am a kingdom subject here on earth to show the love of Jesus. i am a Jesus lover on a compassionate pursuit to plant seeds of hope, faith, and love to my enemies and to help them find who Jesus is, and want to be with Him as well!

we have a BIG job! 

{blessings- to better the mood}

whew! joel and i have been having a {season} so i thought i needed to post some {blessings} that are happening lately..they may seem pathetic and simple, but hey...im trying!

1. i got a car! still needing to figure some things out, but the timing/money was perfect. and it was a major prayer request that was answered!

2. right now some close friends of mine are living in town for a while with my parents. its been really nice to see them whenever i can go over. their daughter is precious and i love my comfortable friendship with them.

3. really loving my job/jobs. babysitting is also that {extra} little blessing :)

4. i have amazing friends that care for me and send me random/loving/encouraging text messages

5. i have a husband that keeps me sane :D he is hilarious, funny, honest, and encouraging.

6. we have 8 weddings this year! its been great to be able to make some of them a little {weekend getaway}
 since we dont have the money to go on a vacation this summer.

7. my God is {GOOD}, and even though some things are happening now..i know that His promises are never taken back. i am looking forward to this list growing and growing!

whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. my Father will honor the one who serves me. {john 12:26}