Redemption....Letting Go

"When you don't move the mountains I need you to move.

When you don't part the waters I wish I could walk through.

When you don't give the answers I cry out to you.

​I will Trust In You."

When our son was a little guy...he's anything but that now.....he would tell me that when he read or thought he saw pictures and saw the words being spelled out in his little head. 

I know now that is a sign of a GENIUS!!! :)  Because I do it too!!!! :)

As I've gotten older and am no longer tied down by 15 years of homeschooling and lots more years of momhood, I now have more time to "listen" and be still.  More time to see those images, those words flash in my head! Some days it's a rather colorful and electric time!!! Sometimes the words just won't stop and I have to write them down.

Those years of growing a family and teaching were times when I could hardly keep my head above water. As I think upon those days, I'm reminded that not only was I doing them, but I was doing them as a mom who was dealing with some pretty tough health issues. 

Do I have regrets? You bet.

Do I wish I could go back and have a re-do? You bet.

Do I wish God had parted that water for me then? You bet.

The truth is, I worship a God of second chances.

Second chances to be a better mom....one who encourages more and builds up, rather then tears down with her own hands. Second chances at being a better friend. Second chances at being a better wife. Second chances of being a better daughter and sister. Second chances at living a redeemed life. And believe me....I'm far from perfect....FAR!

"I don't need my name in lights. 

I don't live for applause.

BUT He saw my heart and made something out of nothing!

He knows my name."

 We ALL have a story. Sometimes it takes true BRAVERY to tell it.

Mine started as a scared little girl of 13 who was so sick that even her parents thought death was close by. It was one night in March of 1970 that the pastor of a small country church came knockin. He knew I was sick. He knew I needed to hear the redemptive story of Jesus. I'd never heard it. He shared that story of the cross with me....and it was right there in my childhood home on Starr Road in Newark Delaware, that I gave my heart and life to Jesus Christ. It was a night that has changed my life for eternity.....I have never been the same since. 

It wasn't until 1988 when our son was born that I asked Mom why she asked the pastor of that little country church to come. She told me that she didn't. She told me that she thought after all those years that I had.

It wasn't until 1988 that I KNEW God sent him. God loved ME SO much that he sent a messenger to tell me the Good News of the Gospel. It still makes me tear up and to think that I really am someone special to the King of the Universe that HE would call my name out of millions. That HE has created me for a purpose. I am HIS workmanship to do things HE prepared for me in advance to do!!! What an exciting life!!!! 

I'm not meant to stay quiet....as much as Dad always tried to pay me 25¢ to be quiet for 10 minutes....it never happened!!!! I am a chatter box!!! I love to talk. I love to laugh. I LOVE Jesus!!!! 

The thing is....HE calls ALL of our names out....you have to listen...but he's calling you. He wants a relationship with you. He loves you. He is the God of second chances and wants to REDEEM you!!!!

We ALL can have a story of REDEMPTION!

I am redeemed. This will be my next painting....as soon as I'm moved and see those words and images in my head!!! Genius I'm telling you...just a sign of a genius!!! :)

Living BRAVE & BIG !!!! 
xoxo Diane