overwhelmed... in so many ways

As I woke up this morning, I thought about everything I needed to do this week.  I also thought about the "goodbye" reception at church, and the dirty dishes in the sink, and the books I want to read, and the house that needs to be straightened up, and the laundry that needs to be done, and the things that didn't get done before leaving my position, and so on... OVERWHELMED!!!
It's not just the business of the "to do" list.  It's all of the emotion tied to this moment - this day in my life.


Yesterday was the demarcation point for two significant things:
1) It was the "goodbye and thank you" reception for Donna and me.  It was wonderful and we were truly honored.  

We had a chance to stand up in both services and say good bye and ask for prayer.  I was so happy to be able to do this. I hope and pray that it helps people understand what we're doing and why we're doing it.  I also hope that it encourages and challenges others to examine where they are with God and if He is calling them to something new too. I was totally fine and held my composure until the end of second service when the sanctuary erupted in a standing ovation.  It was like having 200+ people saying "thank you", all at once. We felt very appreciated, very loved, and very missed... already. We were broken. I've never felt that kind of overwhelming love before.


2) It was the first time I sat at home on a Sunday night, when CRASH was still going on.  The teens and adult leaders gathered, without me, and had youth group.  I sat home, ate leftovers and missed them.  I prayed for them and thought about what they were doing and I missed them. 
It was weird sitting at home on a Sunday night.  It didn't feel "right".  There is a hole and only God can fill it. And He will.


Today is a new day...
Psalm 96: 1-3

1 Sing to the LORD a new song;

   sing to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Sing to the LORD, praise his name;

   proclaim his salvation day after day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations,

   his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

God is still on the throne, still in control, still loving us and caring for our needs.  His outpouring of love is constant and diverse.  He shows us His love daily and I am amazed! 

I can choose to look at yesterday and cry and feel sorry for myself; or I can walk in the faith that God has placed in my heart - knowing that He has an awesome plan for our lives.  I choose the latter. Not because it makes me feel better (which it does), but because it is the truth. And God commands us to worship in spirit and in truth - His Spirit and His truth.

Now I am overwhelmed in a different way, a good way.  I am overwhelmed by a loving God - an amazing, heavenly Father who knows every hair on my head, every broken place in my heart and every desire in my soul.

"Oh Lord, continue to overwhelm me with your love.  Create a passion in my heart for you and for those that You love.  Help me, daily, to listen and hear you, O God.  You are my Way, my truth and my life. Amen"