Abide

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Abide in my love.

. . . .

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you,

and that your joy may be full.

I think abide is so much more than we realize.  Abide is God's promise of  joy and freedom - -freedom to just “be.”  Sometimes we feel like we have so little to offer.  We think that we are just too broken to shine for God.   We think we have to “do” something exactly right  in order to have worth in our Father’s kingdom.  But the truth is that we can impact people around us in ways we don’t even realize just by showing up, being our genuine selves, and loving God in our own unique way.  I was recently reminded of that in a powerful and very personal way.  During praise and worship at church Saturday night, I was really moved with a spirit of joy.  I raised my hands and sang to my God.  About half way through, I noticed the man in the row in front of me turning to watch me ….a couple of times …..and then….his arms went up in praise.   Now, I rarely pay attention to other people when I am worshipping but I noticed this.  After, when Pastor asked us to introduce ourselves, the man turned to me and said “Hello lady raising her arms in praise.”  I told him that it was still a little new for me.  He told me to keep doing it and smiled.  WOW.  Now, here is the part you might not know.  I can’t sing.  I was told as a child that I could not sing and was not allowed to sing in the choir.  I was the only one.  It was a church school.  You can imagine how I feel about singing.  I did not sing in church.  I mumbled into my hymnal.  I did not look up.  I did not raise my voice let alone my hands.  Until I went to a bible study last year and felt a room full of women I became close to do it in safety.  I raised my hands real close to my sides and I sang, softly, almost to myself, ‘cause I can’t sing.  Then, I went to a retreat called “Unveiled”  last year….and I came back singing off-key and raising my hands a little higher.  Still quietly -but enthusiastically.   Then Unveiled again this year.  A little bit deeper with Jesus.  This Saturday in church I was singing my heart out in praise to my King, my hands were lifted high and I shined for God.  He used ME to make someone else feel comfortable.  WOW. WOW. WOW.  Jesus heals. I just need to keep showing up.