Are we there yet?

On our Summer Road Trips, we keep asking the question – ARE WE THERE YET????

Many of us believe that once we are in church or accepted Christ into our hearts…we are “there”…nope! We are now beginning our transformation journey as God works in our lives! There are basically 3 parts to our stories:

1. My life before Christ…..

2. When/how I met Christ….

3. My life following Christ…

Michele:

1. My life before Christ I lived in fear; mostly fear of being alone and made a lot of bad decisions.

2. When I became a Christ follower – I had to face my greatest fear after Dave passed away. God showed me that He would always be with me.

3. My life following Christ – I would like to say I have arrived – I haven’t – but I continue to walk toward God, to rely on HIM alone and when the fear sets in, He reminds me that He is still with me.

Carl:

1. My life before Christ, it was all about me-me-me –what Carl wanted, when he wanted it and at whatever cost.

2. I met Christ when I was at my lowest – I was isolated since I had alienate everyone around me with my pride.

3. My life now continues to be a journey of obedience as I work through letting go more of “me” and focus it being more and all about HIM.

Mary Ann:

1. My life before Christ - it was all “doing” and accomplishments (homecoming queen & cheerleading in HS – commercial banker – Chief Financial Officer..)

2. I met Christ as a Single Mom w/2 young boys, clinically depressed and 1 suicide attempt-no reason or hope to live - He rescued and restored me

3. Now I live to serve Him -everyday, letting go more of me to have it be all about Him.

When I first met Dean, my thought was that he was not “my type”, whatever that means! But God knew exactly what I needed not what I thought I wanted. I love that God’s plans are way better than mine. Dean’s gentle spirit, kindness and calm in my loud, fast and crazy life is exactly what I need and crave and love the most.

With our move from Pittsboro to Raleigh 3 years ago, I was planning our last Small Group gathering when I learned that a couple of the folks had suggested having it at their home and do a Pot Luck dinner. What? That was not in “my plan”. As I went on about what I wanted the evening to be about, Dean sat quietly and listened.

Then he said; “Did you stop and think that they were actually thinking of helping you with not having to add this night while we are in the middle of packing to move?” Dean did not raise his voice. In fact, I believe that the calm and quietness forced me to really listen…to be obedient.

Then Dean said: “You know Mary Ann, it’s not about you.”

OUCH!…….He was so right.

I know that I’m making progress, and I know that I’m not there yet…the cool thing is – He wants me to get there! He will do whatever it takes to get me there….and He encourages me along the way as I make it further down the road……and I know that I’m “somewhere in the middle”.

Are YOU there yet?