What I'm Learning...

I have learned many things in life, as all people tend to do, but the last week has brought a lesson in serving.

I spent last week (my spring break) at my parents house. This house has never been my home and I have never felt much peace about being there, especially when I am there alone. This past week was different. For the first time since my parents moved into this house, I felt like I was 'going home' for a visit. It was a strange feeling, but one I hope returns for future visits.

Over the past few years I have learned to love my family in spite of all the bad things that have happened, and all the stupid decisions we have all made. Until now, I have never felt called to minister to them, or serve them in the name of Jesus.

Last Saturday presented me with free time, and my first opportunity to serve and a nudge from God I could not ignore. I won't bore you with the details about why I was alone, but I was, and I was BORED! Just before giving into the desire to indulge in cable television (something I have not had in my home for over 5 years), I heard a whisper of a voice say "doesn't the floor need to be vacuumed?" to which I immediately responded, "well, sure, but its not my mess!" after a few similar exchanges I was vacuuming the whole house. And the nudging didn't stop with vacuuming, I was taking out the garbage, cleaning pet areas (cat boxes, food dishes, etc.), unloading and reloading the dishwasher...you name it, I was doing it! JOYFULLY!!! There were no witnesses, I wasn't even at the house when my family members returned, but the joy of knowing I had served my family in these simple ways was great.

Saturday was the first of a week full of days involving service to my family...some through physical labor, some through conversations, some through just living my life so they could see who I am, and some I'm sure in ways I can't even imagine or will ever know.

This past week was one of the best weeks I have had in a long time. I am thankful to God for blessing me with time to not only serve my family, but to spend time with them in LIFE. The only thing missing from this week was my older brother, and God even covered that through a phone conversation on my way back to my house. The Lord has blessed me with a new start with my family. We are building a new foundation in our relationships, one I hope will allow us to grow closer together as a family of the world, but also as a family of God.

It is my prayer, oh Lord, that the eyes of my family would be opened, that the scales causing their blindness would be scraped away, and that the little light you have placed inside of me would shine through the darkness into their hearts and bring them to a place of knowing and loving You. You have delivered my soul out of the pits of Sheol, I pray you do the same for them. In Jesus Most Holy name, Amen.