What is your story?

Here I go again.  I'm in church and this flood of revelation comes over me again. (singing the song below!)  I have another blog to write.  I have to tell you, that I am NOT a writer!!  (my family, especially my mother, will attest to this!)  So the fact that I keep feeling led to write I know is from God.  I guess someone out there needs to know what is on my heart.

A song I love and that is most convicting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5JdWHaTGnI&feature=related

There is no one higher, 
No one greater,
No one like our God.


There is none more able,
Christ our Savior
Great and Glorious.


So I'll stand 
With arms high and heart abandoned
In awe of the One who gave it all
So I'll stand
My soul Lord to You surrendered
All I am is Yours

Can you even begin to imagine what the world would look like if we all truly believed those words?  What I've been convicted of, is we are all supposed to have stories.  A story to glorify The One who gave it all for you.  I believe the story starts when you realize there is so much more to this life.

The week we decided to adopt our paster said something was exactly what we needed to hear to confirm the decision we had made.  We are all called to be radically devoted to Christ.  What most of us do is strive to live the American dream.  We live for life to become easier and more comfortable.  That is not what we were called for - we were not called to live the American dream, we were called to change the world . .  for Christ.  Most likely, if we were pretty comfortable we were not radically devoted.  

Through this journey, that I'm sure God is getting impatient with me for taking YEARS to realize, I have gone from being the selfish Christian thinking I was doing okay, to realizing I have fallen very short of what Christ expects of me.  Hate to admit it, but we had become very comfortable, again.  All 3 kids in school, I have a job that I work 2 days week - sweet!  We were set.  But had I truly impacted the world in a way that would have an eternal impact? This is the exact question that led us a few years ago to leave our very comfortable church. A very difficult decision.  We were sunday school teachers, worked in the nursery, took food, volunteered for VBS, etc.  All important things, don't get me wrong here, but for most of us, that is all we do.  We surround ourselves with what is comfortable and what is comfortable is being with people like us.   We were not radically devoted.

We, the whole family, spent yesterday serving in Nashville in an area that was devastated by the flood.  We served in a single mom's home who had no money to hire contractors so she was doing everything herself.  My girls vacuumed and mopped for hours.  Jay and I power washed and Carter jumped in on all activities.  I was so proud of my kids - we got no whining, no complaining, just dedication to what their job was.  I had reminded them when we woke up very early, that today was not about them and it was not about having fun, but rather today was a day we were giving back.

"Remember why we are out here."  Those were my words on the way.  We get the car to come home and they all were in great moods, saying how great they felt and that they really had a fun day.  I realized yesterday this is the culture our entire family needs to have consistently.  We give money (something the kids never see) much easier than we give our time.  

To whom much is given, much is expected.  I am constantly being convicted with that verse.  What I realized is if I don't start creating the culture of giving back with our time as well, will our kids ever find their story? 

I don't write all of this to bring light on what we are doing, but to inspire someone else and to glorify Christ.   It has taken me years to find my story.  What I now know is, my story is about orphans.  I have fallen in love and my heart breaks for those who need a family.  Your story might take you years, but I pray you realize you have one - an incredible one.  

So get out there.  Start creating a culture in your family that inspires every member.  I promise you will find God and He will lead you to be apart of His story. I know all of our stories will come together one day and glorify Him beyond our wildest imaginations!

There is no one higher, No one greater, No one like our God.

There is none more able, Christ our Savior Great and Glorious.

So I'll stand With arms high and heart abandoned In awe of the One who gave it all

So I'll stand My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours