My Father's Approval
Recently I woke up smiling! In my dream, I was in a room with Pine Valley United Methodist Church Pastor Barry and Mark, and we were all laughing. It was me, Pastor Barry, my Dad, and Mark, in that order, and we were all laughing so hard! We were having such a good time - the way I remember Dad and the way we always had fun with our friends at church! It was so wonderful and so real that I wanted to go back to sleep and continue the dream! I was so excited, I told Mike immediately! I wept, tears of joy, as I told Pastor Barry why I thought I had that dream. I can close my eyes and see my Daddy's smile - something he did a lot! He died in 2011 and I miss him so much, especially on Father’s Day, because he would have been at church with us and then on the boat with us!
I dream a lot and I usually remember my dreams and most of the time I can figure out why I dreamed something. Mom and I had been at church, prior to our social distancing, and she had tears in her eyes and I said, "Are you ok?" She smiled through her tears and said, "I was just thinking how Charles would love this church!" I told her I felt that way on my first Sunday. Then we talked about how Dad would have loved picking with Pastor Barry and Mark. Mom said she could see them "carrying on" (southern for having fun and being silly). Also, the night before my dream, Mike mentioned something about Mark and Barry and I replied, "Mark and Barry are my buddies." I have known that Dad would be so happy here but it was so fun to see the four of us laughing together. Four friends doing life together! Maybe not on this earth but for eternity! I know Dad would approve and be proud of how I obeyed God with this tough decision. It seems children never outgrow wanting their father's approval.
When I made the decision to come to PVUMC it was one of the hardest things I have ever done and there were people not happy with me. Galatians 1:10, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." I was told I could not leave because my mother was not leaving. God said to me, "Are you choosing your mother over me?" This was my cross to bear. This was between God and me. I had to pick God. Little did I know, it almost seems silly now, that God would bless my obedience by bringing my mom over - on her own nudge! "Not because of her children" as she will tell you and as she reminded me of for this blog!
I will forever believe God was testing my heart. Would I stay comfortable or would I trust Him? 1 Thessalonians 2:4, "But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so, we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts." When God is calling you, you can run but you cannot hide. I was in a rut that kept me from following God's will. It is hard to change how we have always done something. I was being burdened but I wanted to stay in my comfort zone because I had always done it that way. Good thing the disciples didn't do that! I prayed for wisdom and clarity to know what I was to do. All I knew was that God was redirecting my path and I would have to trust Him! Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." I was hungry for more and felt God wanted more from me. Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled." God has proven Himself faithful beyond belief! And I am being "filled!" The one thing I hear everyone say, “You can feel the power of the Holy Spirit when you walk in the door!” He welcomed me that first Sunday!
I know my earthly father would approve of our decisions and be proud of me for following God's call and I love that. And he would be beyond proud of my mom! But what is most important is that we be obedient to our Heavenly Father whether all men agree or not. Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I feel He has "added" so many blessings to my life and helped me grow by leaps and bounds. Another thing I hear so many people say, is how much they have grown, spiritually, at PVUMC. And maybe physically with all of the food served, all the time! Little did I know He was calling me, equipping me, and preparing me for His purpose....all because I chose Him! Thanks be to God!
During this season of social distancing maybe it is time to be still and listen. What message does God have for you? Is God calling for your obedience?