The essay took two months to write. The contest rules had stated that it needed to be no more than 1,000 words and postmarked by October 1, 2015. The winner would then be announced on November 26th, Thanksgiving Day of 2015. After I had finished writing, still for my eyes only, I was pondering the gift of having actually taken the time to compose this essay. It was very therapeutic to share with concise words some of what our flock’s heart was beating after. I decided at this point, it was good enough to have written it. I didn’t actually need to mail it in. But God, well… He caught my attention, while I was on a jog.
I always stream podcasts by my most favorite teacher ever, Louie Giglio. He happens to be on my life-list to one day meet and give thanks. I hope meeting him happens on this side of heaven (in case you know him and can help me). Anyway, I sensed God sweetly whispering within my heart as Louie was teaching about how we are all great storytellers and God was then whispering “This time is for you Kara, mail in the essay.” Oye! Really?!?
Yes, I really knew and with this new “knowing” came a crazy new wonder within me. A wonder of why?
Why is it important to mail it in!?! I still hadn’t shared that I was even writing the essay with anyone other than Ryan and the children. Knowing I was to mail in the essay, I now needed a “professional” set of eyes to edit it as the rules stated there were to be no grammatical errors. Mmm, who could help me here?
The year prior I was involved in a co-op for homeschooling and I was aware of one, special and highly regarded, teacher. The only trouble was she didn’t know me. So here I am, gonna be the weird one, reaching out to ask a favor. I needed her set of eyes to edit this random essay for a who really knows if it’s legit contest to win a farm all because God says so!?!
I did ask and she was kind enough to share some of her time to edit it. She even said, “This is really good, you actually have a chance at this.” to which my heart did somersaults because at this point I knew I was moving forward in obedience.
In this time I realized that deep within my heart I struggled believing in God’s goodness being real for us and that it could be received through winning this farm. Having been raised in the church and among the religious there is much for me to sift through just to arrive at the real and simple truth of Jesus.
The truth is:
He was, and is, the beautiful Son of God, our Son of Man, my Lord and Saviour.
He existed to be the perfect, faultless, flesh and blood, last and willing sacrifice.
His death covered all sin and brokenness that we, and this world, will ever hold.
His resurrection and promise to us (of never leaving those who seek Him, and giving abundant life all the while) is true grace and a gift for us.
He loves us so much, and indeed, lavishes me, and the rest of his saints, with an indescribable, pure, and tangible love.
He shines His truth into our hearts and minds with love and gentle conviction, ultimately ushering us into complete wholeness and freedom.
ALL of who He was and is, purposed for the Glory of God, His (and my) Father.
Why in all His love for me, for us, would I not allow my mind and heart to embrace the truth that… someone’s gotta win and it could be us! I digress, not really though, because Jesus is why I am here sharing part of our story!
To be continued...