When you decide to JUMP, it’s scary! If you’re visiting here and wondering what I’m referring to, check out when Jennie Allen says JUMP!
As the story unfolds, I want you to think about your journey. God has incredible things planned for each of us. Where are you along your path?
Praying “God I’ll do anything, if you’ll show the way” was the only thing I knew to do with the new call I felt God impressing on me. Every morning, I’d pray it out and wait for some kind of an answer. Steps were being laid out, but you know silly questioning me — I wanted something concrete!
Sleepily arising last Monday morning a friend texts, “Can you meet me for coffee? Debra George is in town and I want you to meet her.” I was shocked. NOT. THE. Debra George! A few friends had mentioned recently that I needed to meet her, but she lives in Houston and I wasn’t sure how that would ever happen. Knowing Starbucks, Debra, and Rosie would be a great way to jump start my day, I eagerly said YES!
In anticipation, I got there a little early and grabbed my cinnamon dolce latte! (can you say YUM?) I wasn’t sure what God was up to, but I began to pray that He’d make what I was to learn very clear. I knew this meeting was no coincidence — it was definitely a God-incidence! Debra walks in and gives me that biggest hug ever and says, “I love you already!” I’m not sure what I said, but I knew something special was fixing to happen. Y’all we both write for WHOA magazine and what were the odds we were getting to meet? (whoa! you need to subscribe, seriously!)
I was anticipating our conversation. I had read some of her articles and loved them, especially the one where she talks about walking up to two men drinking beers in brown paper bags and telling them about Jesus. (that’s in the Dolly Parton issue – get it!) We finally sat down with our drinks and began to chat. She asked about me and before I knew it I was telling her what was stirring in my soul. I knew God was calling me out into the neighborhoods and streets, but I had no clue where to start or what to do to be effective.
Debra shoots down my excuses with,
Girl it’s simple! You need to come join me in Richmond on the 14th. We’ll go into the neighborhood with bags filled with toiletries and a little bling-bling for the girls and we’ll tell them about Jesus. We’ll invite them to go to church, have snacks, pray and then we’re done.”
Well, there it was . . . the specifics I had asked God for. It surely was time to jump! As we say our good-bye’s Debra looks me in the eyes and says, “Girl, God is teaching you at warp speed. It’s time to go!”
But the “what if’s” are killing me:
What if I’ve heard wrong?
What if it’s dangerous?
What if nobody will help?
What if I can’t muster the courage?
And worse yet, what if I miss out on the life God has planned for me ‘cuz I’m afraid? Tweet this HERE.
So friends, here we go! I’m taking you with me and this journey is going to be priceless, scary, and a masterpiece of God’s moving hand. I hope you’ll participate, join in, and support in any way you can. More specifics coming later when I learn what the heck I’m doing.
First up a trip to Richmond, Texas on the 14th. Want to go?
While I pray like a mad-woman those “what-if’s” disappear, I’m wondering what “what-if’s” are holding you back.
What giant “what-if’s” do you need to slay before you can jump?
Excited for you, its going to be great and then you’ll want to climb up and jump off again and again. Before you know it you’ll be bringing others up the ladder with you. Blessing to you.
Shelly – what a great description of what is raging through me. But I want to keep jumping and experiencing this ladder of climbing upward with God. Oh to be so expectant to this crazy journey called life.
Alene, this post just tug my heart string. I wish you are closer so you can be the “Debra” in my life…. looking forward to hearing more.
Ah girl – what a blessing your words. I will be your “Debra” no matter where I am. Let’s hold hands and jump together!
Ya make me want to get up and dance with joy! So happy for you! And what do ya know…if we show up, He does, too. Even caters to our doubting hearts….at least He’s been catering to mine ; )
Let’s do the cha-cha girl! I love that God shows up even when we doubt and question. Sometimes I think that’s when He shows up most – He makes it known that it has nothing to do with us but it’s all His doings. Love it.
Oh, my! You are jumping, and God is showing you the way…so excited for you, Alene…praying God continues to uphold you and Debra as you go where He leads.
Thank you for your prayers, Dolly. They mean a lot. Come jump with me!
It’s always scary to do new stuff. My favorite saying is “Leap and the net will appear”…but I still get scared. Lol.
Thanks for stopping by. I am so going to steal that phrase. Love it — leap and the net will appear!. So I’ll be jumping scared and screaming this saying and watching expectantly for His net to appear. I know it will as God is never late, but my human heart wants Him to be early and He’s not. Needed this. Thanks.
You are gonna bless some socks off some people (or give socks to people who don’t have any!!).
This reminds me of our recent VBS where we had the kids visit “tents” set up like an ancient Babylonian marketplace (Daniel’s Courage in Captivity was the theme).
One of the tents was called “Blessings in a Bag” and the children filled freezer size zip-lock bags with toiletries for the homeless. On the last day everyone grabbed a bag to keep in their car to share with the homeless in our community. Sharing soap, sharing Jesus, sharing love!!
Excited to hear about what God is going to do through you girls!!
You’ll have a whole new set of “what if’s”….
“What if that gal over there accepts Christ! Whoo hoo!!”
“What if I run out of hours in a day before I can reach everyone God wants to us to reach? Yikes, we’ll have to start earlier!”
“What if I didn’t pack enough bling?”
Girl, you’re gonna be great!! Those “what if’s” creep me out too sometimes, but the “what if’s” are better than the “if only’s”….
I love you.
You are so flat out inspiring…
I mentioned your book, “I’m A Fixer Upper” in two posts recently — about how it is messing me up… in the best way possible. :)
Thank you for being you. xoxo