Take me back...just for a moment

Last night I walked outside to get something out of my car. For once, although it's winter, it didn't feel that cold. I paused as I opened my passenger door and looked up into the sky. Man...the stars were so beautiful! The constellations produced a gorgeous display of God's creativity across the black canvas!

I couldn't help but stop and look around me. I was reminded of the good times. I remember when I used to sit outside with friends till 1 or 2am just talking. We'd bring out the lawn chairs from the garage and just hang out and deepen our friendships. It was awesome. Those were some times of good I'll never forget, and always wish I could go back to...just for a moment. I just want to go back to that feeling.

It seems the places that I go back and visit are filled with reminders of what things used to be. I like change and I don't mind it...sometimes. I do hate, when I go back and look at pictures and think to that time, and notice how those people are no longer in my life, or the way things started with that picture being taken...is not how things are now. It's hard to realize that God's plan is bigger, and some changes, though they may be bad RIGHT now, later on when the end result comes, will show God's power and wisdom.

Everywhere you go you will find memories. For me there are certain roads that I drive around in town that I can think back to a specific situation where something that happened either strengthened my relationship with someone...or it's where the friendship ended. There is a point in our lives that everyone has to pause and finally believe that without Christ we would not have the strength to take our next step.

At Thomas Road last week, Jonathan read a story that came from my extended family. My aunt was in the kitchen and she turned to her kids (my cousins) and asked "who will help me unload the dishwasher?" There was silence coming from my cousins and so she paused for a moment then she turned and asked the question again "who will help me unload the dishwasher?" My cousin Michael, who is 7 years old, yelled out from in the living room "Not I, but Christ!” Hahahaha, I was laughing so hard when I heard this story! You know, it means just one thing...even the children are paying attention in church!

Okay, so that was random and off topic, but it was hilarious and the one statement of Not I, but Christ fits. Christ has a plan, Christ will always have His way in your life, and I’m just learning to take His path instead of the scenic route...