The Calling

Caleb is a warrior. He is headstrong, he is overflowing with faith, he pours his entire heart and being into everything he does. Now, he has a heading. God has directed his path. The following is an excerpt from his personal journal (I typed it exactly how he wrote it):

"4/30/14
Tonight at 5:12, I had an important vision. So, I just walked up to a baby, and a roman army. The baby asked why I came here. I told the baby and the army I was here to tell them about God. So I told them. The baby and the army asked "Can I have Jesus in my heart?" A diamond appeared in my hand. A flash of light appeared among us. Then I got the verse phil 2:13 (NLT) For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him."

After Caleb told us the vision he said he thought he knew what it meant but he wanted to see what we thought. I immediately knew how to interpret it. I began speaking before I even realized what words were flowing from my mouth. I told him that the Lord was preparing Him to preach. That he was going to lead many to Jesus. Damian added that he believed the baby and the army represented that Caleb would preach to all ages. After we shared our thoughts with him he agreed that he also believed that is what it meant. He also believes that the diamond represents God's presence and that the flash of light was when everyone accepted Christ.

He has talked about the vision everyday since. He shared his calling with his Royal Ranger troop. He gave a speech about it in his (public school) classroom. He has begun digging into his Bible more. His heart is set. His mind is steadfast. He is excited about his future harvest.

Thoughts On A New Year.

Today is a quiet day full of peaceful moments all strung together creating a beautiful calm. My children are curled up in various cozy areas reading or drawing. The world outside is silent and covered with heavy snow. It's a good day to write, to think, to dream. So here I sit, at my wooden kitchen table that is scarred with the memory of meals and homework and play, and I write.

Comfort. It's a word that brings warm fuzzies to my heart. I long for it but God is calling me to step out of it. I am no longer content to pray for the hurting, hoping that they will step out of the mire on their own. That way I won't have to touch the filth. No. I must wade into that filth and grab those hurting in a loving embrace. I must meet the need with practicality, if it is within my power to do so. This year I will open my eyes wider. And yes, I will still pray, but my prayers will sound different. More fervent, less rushed. More passionate, less selfish. God is changing my heart. I must make a difference in the lives He has placed in my path. Those inside the church as well as outside. My soul longs to love harder.

I am blessed. This year I will be more thankful. I will slow down and drink in the beauty of simple things. I will realize the gifts all around me. My hard-working, Jesus loving, servant hearted husband. My three miraculous darlings who fill this life with such innocent joy. Sunsets. Bird songs. Hugs. Books. I will post Philippians 4:11-12 somewhere in my home and live it out on a daily basis! ("I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.")

I have other dreams, goals, resolutions, whatever you wish to call them. Those will remain safely tucked away in my dear journal. Now I am going to go and embrace this moment, turn the music up and feast with my little family! Happy New Year.