On March 6th, I posted this on social media streams
without knowing anything except for the feeling. I have felt "shifts" happening in the past but I don't think I have actually announced them out loud. For some reason, with this one, I thought I should.
Okay, rewind back at least 2, maybe three years.
I have been hearing a loud whisper saying "use what you have" and I have honestly been practicing it myself and passing it along, encouraging and reminding you, fellow friends, followers, pinners, posters and readers to in fact, #usewhatyouhave. I thought that I was practicing, encouraging and inspiring myself and others to, again, #usewhatyouhave when it came to our scraps, stash and unused inventory of stuff i.e. paper, paint, fabric, felt, ink, etc. because we all got too much junk. (remember, I use the word junk in a good way)
Now fast forward back up to a few days ago when I finished reading an AMAZING book called The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston. He is the Pastor of Bayside Church in Northern California and he recently visited Saddleback. (you can watch his sermon here. p.s.print out the sermon notes and grab a pen.) After finishing the book, I went back through it and reread all of the areas that I had highlighted (I highlighted a lot) and came across this:
"The greatest thing about discovering and developing your gifts is that it frees you to be yourself. When you find and use your gifts, you will be encouraged to trust God for what is next"
woah.
wait.
#use what I have
my gifts, skills and abilities...
DUH.
I mean, I know this but maybe it is not just about using up all my junk...it is about using MY JUNK. The junk HE gave me and please remember, I am using the word junk in the most kind way. (not like junk as in junkyard or junk mail)
and my shift!?!
Maybe this is part of my shift.
This is what I call a light bulb moment and it is how God talks to me (besides when I am running or in the shower and have no way to write it down.) When things start to connect, a "light" turns on and/or something "dawns on me" it is really important for me to WRITE IT DOWN so that I remember it because guaranteed, I will forget it and I know that I will need it in the future for myself and quite possibly as a reminder for someone who might already know, but forgot to remember (that is you)
THIS is why I document my faith.