Change is Hard

The following post has nothing to do with Computers or Paper.  You have just received your PSA (public service announcement) in case you are expecting a post on technology or scrapbooking.  If you just want to read my daily musings, then follow along..

Not to sound too “Methodist”, my childhood was sprinkled with church while others had their lives immersed in church. In other words, our family was classic C&E church attender: C hristmas and E aster. Upon college graduation, I longed to renew the spark that had faded during the previous four years.  After returning home, I chose to join Shalimar United Methodist church in the late fall of 1984. It was an effort to “clean up” and “grow up” and acknowledge  God’s nudging and accept that I did have an unattended spark that needed fanning.  After joining the church…shortly, and when I say shortly, I mean14 days later, I was engaged to the associate pastor.  At the risk of sounding cliche’  “it was love at first sight.”  We were married on May 4, 1985 at Shalimar UMC and this years makes 29 years of marriage.

As a United Methodist I learned about Prevenient Grace early in my journey as a christian.  John Wesley believed that  prevenient grace is with us from birth, preparing us for new life in Christ.  Prevenient means to come before.  Wesley believed that God places a little spark of divine grace within us that enables us to recognize and accept our conversion and new life in Christ.  Without that spark or desire for the hole in your soul to be filled with God, I would not have found the fulfilling life I am living.

Shalimar was where I learned more about my relationship with God and I was nurtured and was shown so much grace by the congregation.  I was rough around the edges and because they loved my husband and their Lord, they loved me.  My faith grew, bloomed, and bore fruit because of the cultivating that occurred that year.

As a United Methodist pastor’s wife I am married to my husband and his calling.  When he was ordained, among many things, he agreed to be itinerate and he is faithful to his calling and to the United Methodist Church’s itineracy.  We have been blessed to serve congregations in Shalimar, Pensacola, and Montgomery.

We recently learned that we will be moving.  Our new church home will be back where it all began.  Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we would be back home.  What a blessing.  The popular song keeps running over and over in my head, “I’m coming home, I’m coming home.  Tell the world that I’m coming home..”

Today, I am thankful for God’s prevenient grace.  He always goes ahead of us knowing we have the choice to follow.  Philip has always answered the call to where he has been asked to go.  Never questioning.  Always believing that His plan was above anything we can orchestrate.  I am grateful I am married to such a Godly man and I am happy to follow him wherever he serves, especially when I’ll be following him HOME!

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