So tonight was our second night at "Launch" in D.C. where we are officially launching to leave for the World Race! Eeeek! I have loved every second of being surrounded by my new brothers & sisters. I have never felt more at home. =)
A couple people decided to get tattoos today, so about 12 of us hopped in a cab and drove to the nearest tattoo parlor on our break time. (NO mom I did not get a tattoo!) This was my first time in a tattoo parlor & I was extremely excited to see the atmosphere & meet the artists. Upon walking in, I felt this deep pulling at my heart, like a weight, & I knew this place was struggling spiritually. The man who was in charge (Joey, I believe) was extremely overwhelmed by all of us crowding his shop, & at many times talked over us. We immediately sensed a bitterness in him that would be hard to break through to.
Time passed & a couple people got tattoos from a woman on staff. When it was time to go, we all decided to huddle outside the shop & pray over it, asking God to bless that place & fill his presence in the shop & in the heart of Joey. As we finished, I felt the Lord nudging me to walk back into the store & precede to give Joey a hug. Not pray, not minister, just hug. Silly me argued with the Lord & I thought, "What? Why would I go hug him? A very large man covered in tattoos is not going to be receptive to a young woman wanting a hug, Lord!"
The second I began to doubt, I turned toward the store, trying to locate where Joey was. Immediately, about 50 stickers on the door caught my attention — they were various labels & logo's from companies or friends they supported. One in particular stood out to me immediately — it was the logo I recognized as Joey's personal logo. It was two hands across the silhouette of a man's chest. First thing I thought when I saw it was hug. Hug? Haha I put the two together, shook my head & said nope, that's just coincidence. That's not God.
A minute went by & I looked at the logos again. Next one I looked at immediately was a graphic image of a face — in particular, Christ's face. Ha ha really God? You are speaking to me through stickers? Nope, no way, not you. I denounced him a second time.
A couple more minutes pass, & as we are patiently waiting on our taxi, I glance around one last time at the store, & caught a glimpse of one more sticker. Guess what this one was. A rainbow!! Ha ha, I about lost it. (As seen in two previous blogs, "Jesus Healed Me," and "Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops," a rainbow is the Lord's constant way over the last couple of weeks of reminding me of his presence and promises).
I said, "Shoot, fine I'm going!!!" I ran into the store, called out to the man, "May I shake your hand & bless this place?" I was too scared to ask for a hug so I thought a handshake would suffice. He immediately jumped out of his seat and said "Sure!" (Wait what? The old bitter guy who didn't want to talk to us jumped out of his seat for a handshake? No way God.) I then preceded to say, "Ok well actually no, Jesus wanted me to hug you, is that ok?" "Ha ha, Sure!" "Thanks man, Jesus loves you and this store. I ask many blessings over this place and your work. He loves you so much!"
I sprinted out the door & barely made it in time for our taxi. PHEW!
So I challenge you to listen for Him in your thoughts, & in the things that surround your daily life. Look for signs, they are EVERYWHERE. Ha ha He is in continual conversation with you whether you respond to Him or not. He wants your response. In fact, He yearns for it. He wants to not only be in communication with you, but to maintain a relationship. I love you daddy so much! I'm upset that I didn't listen to Him & doubted him, but that doesn't make me any less of a daughter, or Him make me love me any less. We are human. We are open to the enemies schemes of doubts & failure. That's why when we choose Him, it makes it all the more worthwhile. Believing in Him is a choice, thats the whole reason for Him sending His son. All we have to do is chose! Ha ha how simple is that!
I have no doubt this is going to be my life for not only the rest of the year on the race, but the rest of my life. In fact, the second I jumped in the cab, we ended up speaking truth into the life of the cab driver through Jesus. Haha so good! His love never fails. I'm falling in love more and more everyday living in it & becoming it. I am so ready to leave for our first country in Mozambique & form an even deeper relationship with my Father. He is soooo good!!
