Take 2 – Your Qs Answered

Back to your questions today. Here’s one from A 5 Time Mom, “What was the turning point in your heart and life that brought you to the understanding of the Lord’s love and forgiveness toward you?”

I accepted Jesus as my savior at age nine, but I wandered from my faith soon after looking for love and acceptance, hoping for actress or model fame. Sounds like a typical child, wanting to be beautiful, rich and famous. LOL. Anyway, I struggled to return to faith because of my guilt into my early twenties. I walked the wild side.

There were many “turning points” in my life. I don’t have one big one. In 1993, I remember going to Pastor Tommy Barnett’s church and crying over a message on idolatry. God came near as I cried, confessed and prayed. This experience didn’t lead to a daily relationship with God. I wandered off again.

After two more rough years, in 1995, my husband and I were asked to church by another couple. I sat through the service almost bawling. The pastor was talking straight to me. We returned week after week. This was the start of my faith commitment as an adult. Real change started taking place. I cried a lot. God broke down the walls I had built to protect my heart.

In 2001 God grabbed my heart even more when we lived in the high plains desert. Personally speaking to me. I wrote about that in my previous Q & A post Take 1.

The bottom line is my experiences with God all feel like “turning points” to me. Without His Spirit guiding me, I wander off. Easily. I need God’s constant care. He loves to remind me of who He IS and who I am in Him.

Loved and forgiven.

Thank you, Jesus.

Susan at Forever His asked two questions:

What makes you so special???

Susan, what a question! Hmmm, how can I begin to answer what makes me special. I could give you a Christian answer and say, “Because God says I am.” But I don’t think that is what you’re asking.

So let me try and say something that makes me special.

First of all, I see life through a unique lens. Always seeing more than meets the eye. Often keeping my thoughts private but thinking deeper. I’m often wonder if anyone else notices and thinks like I do. I feel odd. I appreciate little things in life. And I mean little, I notice ladybugs, buds on trees, and spiderwebs more than most. I get frustrated with hurried people. To me they miss a lot. I wish they knew why I take longer and stop to take pictures. For example, to me hiking is an adventure of the senses. For others, it’s outdoor exercise.

Does that make me special? 🙂

I’m tenderhearted to the hurting or someone appearing different. I’m drawn to acknowledge the one sitting alone. Even if it’s just looking in their eyes and showing them I see them. I remember feeling invisible as a shy girl in elementary school. No one should live life unknown, unseen and unheard. If I can help it, I want bridge that gap. I believe all people should be treated with dignity. Including the homeless man with a cardboard sign.

I’m artistic. Love to create. Whether it’s in my garden or home, I love to make spaces of beauty. Places of rest. Sanctuaries. Love nature. Have lots of live plants inside my house. Love the sound of water and music. Love warm painted walls, candelight, and colorful soft blankets. I think out of the box. I’m known to buy an ugly fifty cent pot at a garage sale and paint it and make it mine. Special? Susan, I’m sure trying. LOL

I love to laugh. I’m known to go around my home using weird voices, singing goofy, making up nicknames. Just plain ole being silly. Laughter is something I value. I even laugh and cry at the same time on occasion. My former counselor didn’t know what to do with that “special” feature. Watch out when I’m in a party store with my kids. I love hats and masks. Love toys. They make me happy. Lord willing, someday I will do a dramatic presentation before a crowd for God’s glory. I have the skit in mind. Now God has to declutter my thinking and grant me courage to step out and try. Yep, I’m a closet drama girl. Have no idea if I’m any good, but I dream of acting out.

Anyone want to join me?

Who are some of your favorite authors and why?

Another hard question, Susan. I’m an avid reader. I’m always traveling with a book or two. Ask my husband. Or better yet, open my purse or look in my car. My bedside usually has a stack of six or more reads. I love reading non-fiction, Christian living. Inspirational. Motivational. Or even educational if I want to learn about something like photography, gardening or organization.

I can’t pick a favorite author because I don’t have just one or even two. Love a book that pushes me in the right direction. Towards God, towards His purpose. Deeper into His heart. Prefer a straight talk versus scholarly. Prefer a book over a fill-in-the-blank Bible study. I highlight and write in all of my books, like a study. I rarely read theology. Actually, I don’t know how I graduated because I never read when I was younger. Not what I was told to anyway. 🙂 So I’m the average 7th grade reading level or whatever grade they say about us. I’m ordinary folk…

I’ll give you a glimpse though. Right now I’m reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. So far, so good. I recently reread The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. Gotta love a book that gets me thinking outside myself and more about God’s plan for me by helping others. My favorite reads challenge and change and grow me spiritually.

I enjoy books by Larry Crabb because he’s honest and I relate to his deep thinking. Love John Ortberg, Henri Nouwen, Brother Lawrence, Brennan Manning, Richard Foster, Max Lucado, Ken Gire. Looks like I read more male authored books than women. True.

Loved the book TrueFaced because it spoke to my heart. Hate masks. I used to wear one. Still do some days.

John C Maxwell is my favorite for motivation. I have many of his books.

Appreciate the heart of John and Staci Eldredge’s ministry and their books.

It’s time to stop. I could write on and on about books. I love ’em all.

Pick a subject, I’m sure I have a favorite book..

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Care to answer these questions for yourself? If so, comment with your favorite authors, what makes you special, or share your turning point. I’d love to read your answers.