It's Not What I Know....

It's what I do...

I've heard that again and again lately. And, as I was looking through some previous blog titles, I found this one, and was transported back to the MMA classroom.

This past week, I stood there, as I was reciting The Student Creed. "I will develop self-discipline, in order to bring out the best in myself and others". Always, I think of my kids as the "others".

I know there are ways I could improve my self-discipline that would "bring out the best" in me and my children.

But, it's not what I know that it important.... it is what I DO.

It's the little steps I make day by day, poco a poco, toward the vision that He has for and of me. It is putting what I know into action. It's turning my compass toward Him and focusing my lens on what He is saying and what He is doing in my life. It is listening intently and hearing clearly.

And then, I must respond. I walk. I act.

It doesn't matter what I know....

It is what I DO that allows me to experience Him fully, and lets other people see what I know and believe.

"Lets read this together...."

It seems to be a theme lately. Twice in 2 days I've heard it. "I want us to read this together...." Curiously enough, for the same reason - so that the members of the teams will be like minded.

I see God at work in both groups, and I am honored to be a part of each team. I wait expectantly to see where He leads.

The feeling is hard to describe. It's like it's RIGHT THERE.... but not quite. Patience and timing. Perseverance and surrender.

Lead us, Lord. As we read together, use the words to guide us in the way You would have us move. Bind us together. Unite us. Strengthen and encourage us. Let us trust one another, encourage one another, and hold each other accountable when need be.

I love watching You in action. Thank You for my front row seat!

Ramblings

God is sure funny sometimes. The way things work out and flow together... even when they are seemingly unrelated.

One little prayer and a whole string of responses. Every day, a little bit. Every day, a moment of knowing God really, truly is active in my life... and in the lives of those around me (whether they know it or not!)

He stalks and He loves. He teaches and He forgives. He touches hearts and souls and minds. He heals - physically, emotionally, mentally. He brings clarity to the obscure and confusion to what seems to be the most obvious.

Above all, He draws me to Himself..... "Wanna dance...?"

The Shepherd and His Sheep

Sunday was an opportunity for me to depend on God. I have not interpreted (in American Sign Language) a full sermon in a long, long time. I also sometimes struggle with the interactive nature of the Education Hour (from an interpreting standpoint). But God showed up in a very real way.

He led my hands, and we endured. It wasn't perfect, but it wasn't as rusty as it has been in the recent past, either. So, for that I am thankful!

The man preaching talked about John Chapter 10: About the sheep and the Shepherd, the characteristics of the sheep and of the Shepherd, and of their interactions with each other.

When I got home, I finally had time to sort through some things that were given to me. On one of the pieces of paper were a list of scriptures, all pertaining to tending the flock. Ah, the sheep and Shepherd lesson continues. I don't know exactly what I will learn in all of this, but....

I recognize my Shepherds voice in this... and I will follow.

"Ouch.....Hallelujah!!"

We were being worked pretty hard in our Karate/MMA class. At one point the instructor said "This is an "Ouch.... Hallelujah!" moment" He went on to explain that while it may hurt now, down the road, we'll be loving it.

He was talking about physically. We may feel the burn - and later the ache - of our muscles, having been through it, will change our lives.... permanently. We get stronger. We get leaner. We gain flexibility and confidence. Really, it's a recipe for success! We just don't always see it that way.

I can't help but carry the analogy further. It's really the same for me emotionally and spiritually. I think back to the times when I have felt broken: broken-hearted or spiritually crippled. Thinking further back, were the days that I didn't even know what I was missing - I didn't understand relationships and feelings and choices. Sometimes I'd stick a bandaid on a wound and call it "good enough". There was no cleaning it or pulling out debris, just "done... move on".

But, God isn't OK with "good enough" when it comes to my heart and my spiritual life. So, He points it out. Often, I don't realize how improperly it has healed, or that there's still "stuff" in there that doesn't belong. Sometimes, He asks me to remove the bandaid, sometimes He does it Himself.

I used to run, hide, and pretend I didn't hear. Fortunately there were people placed in my life to encourage and support me. They called my bluff and made me look. They assured me I would survive what felt like an unnecessary and intolerable reliving of a painful experience. Little did I know it was an "Ouch.... Hallelujah!!" moment.

I didn't realize that walking through it would allow real healing and new life.

Oh, He's still at work with me, no doubt. And sometimes I still want to run, hide and pretend I didn't hear. More often, I'll grab one of those people who walk through such times with me and say "HOLD ON! We're going for a ride".

When I do hesitate, ignore or walk away with my ears plugged saying "La, la, la, la, la.... I can't hear You!!", they love me enough to call me on it. Sometimes I go shaking my head saying "No, no, no, no, no....please, please, no...." silently under my breath, but typically, I do walk. I've learned that there is healing in walking through the pain. At the end of the darkness, there is ALWAYS light.

Do I like the process...? No, not exactly. Do I limp and stumble awkwardly through life during those painful times...? Yes Sir!!

Am I grateful that God loves me enough to challenge me out of my version of "good enough"? Absolutely!