Wildflower Writes

I'm at a point in my life (mid-way?) where I don't want my own fears and insecurities to keep me from living my fullest life. So many times I feel an inclination or prompt to connect with someone, to say something (positive) I am thinking, or to try to get to know them better. In the past, I've brushed off those feelings, because reaching out to other people is hard. What if they don't like me or think I'm weird for saying something? So, lately, I've been trying to act on impulses to connect with people or show kindness. I believe the Holy Spirit is often behind these prompts, which means there is a reason for me to be certain places at certain times, and maybe there are things that only I can do or say. I don't want to miss any of these opportunities. But sometimes I wonder, is it me, or is it God? When I'm pulling u p to the door of my childhood Sunday School teacher's hous e, who left our church after decades of service... I ask myself, Why am...

When my sister and I were deciding where to spend the Sunday morning before Christmas, she suggested Grace Community Church in Goshen. I said as long as there were lights and Christmas music, I'd be happy. I was not disappointed. The main sanctuary was beautifully decorated for the season. And even though the music was worshipful and engaging, the message is what hit home. The speaker admonished us not to take the miracle of the season for granted, and took us into the perspective of Mary, a young peasant girl in a small town with simple expectations from life: marry, have a family, keep a household. Then an angel comes a-knockin'. Imagine the mixture of excitement, wonder, and trepidation upon seeing an angel, hearing that she was favored by God, and that she would be pregnant... by the Holy Spirit. Of course God chose the best mom for Jesus. Of course she was spiritually strong and faithful. Yet, she was still human. Imagine Mary trying to explain the situation to her ...