There is no place like home.....

This past Sunday I went back to where it all began and had the privilege to speak at Dallas First Assembly of God, the church I grew up in. It's so true when they say that "There is no place like home". There could never be a thank you card, gift, or words to express how grateful I am for sending such a special lady from that very church to pick me up every Wednesday and Sunday for years until I was able to drive myself. That simple act of kindness without a doubt changed my entire life and gave me a family to love and a place to call home. But most of all being part of that church cultivated the most important relationship I will ever have in my life. It was there that I met my Savior, my Father, and very best friend. 

I can't believe it has already been 5 years since I left for ministry school. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made but there were many times that I remember wishing I could be just like Dorothy, click my heels and be right back at home in the church I have always loved so much. Well, while sitting there in the sweet presence of God this past Sunday during service, I could not help but be reminded of God's faithfulness and how far He has brought me.  One of the most broken times in my life was right after my papi's (dad) death. My life just turned upside down. There were days that I didn't even get out of bed. I had no desire for God and I pretty much just gave up. I quit church, just quit life. I found things of this world to acts as band-aids to cover up the hurt and I did things just to feel good in the moment. BUT, GOD! Just like the scripture says.... BUT GOD! who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)  Ephesians 2:4. Yes, BUT GOD!, because of His great love and mercy for me, He sent someone to remind me of who I was. A friend  of mine called to say the tough things, to "call me out" so to speak. I was headed nowhere fast, but GOD!! How many times have you had a BUT GOD moment? Has God sent someone at just the right time for you? It's crazy to think about. I can't believe that I had actually had forgotten this pivotal moment of my life. If it were not for her call, I can honestly say that I do not know where I would be today. She invited me to spend the weekend in Griffin, GA. It was that weekend that God brought me back to Him and broke my heart for ministry. And for the last five years Griffin has been the place I call home. 

I said all of that to say....God loves us individually. He is a personal God. Sometimes it is so easy to blend in with this world, to do the norm, and to live life without purpose. Imagine a God so big that despite the billions of people in this world that He still has time for you. The problem is can we find time for Him? Do we really want to be a part of the individual, personal, and creative plan He has designed for us? Maybe someone reading this needs a BUT GOD moment. Maybe reading this could be that moment for you. Remember that God has not and will never leave you no matter where you are.  The phone is always ringing. We just have to answer. Most likely home is calling. There have been a few places that I call home. I believe that each of them have been a part of God's amazing plan for me.  They say "home is where the heart is". If thats true, then since my heart belongs to God, I can truly say there is no place like home. So I challenge you to look back at where God has brought you from, find your BUT GOD moments, and get excited because it only gets better from here!


PS: Thank you to Dallas AG for the amazing blessing this past weekend! I can't wait to see how God uses it to fulfill His beautiful purpose for the people of Ecuador!