I left home at 9am and now it was 3pm and I was just getting home to eat lunch. I’d believed all day that I was going to Celebrate Recovery at 7pm that night despite the fact that I had not run a day like this in literally years. I usually went with my BFF but she had told me that she wasn’t going to go to top things off. God’s strength was with me, Hallelujah! I relaxed for a little bit before heading to the kitchen to pack my hubby’s lunch. Still running, I got him on his way, changed my clothes, and started to head off to Celebrate Recovery but I heard 3 times to pick up my “His Strength – Strength” art journal without knowing why.
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| My "His Strength" Journal |
(I got a blue chip for this act. The first of the year I believe God showed me to give Him my strength and devote extra time to making this journal from scratch. I am now filling it with artwork, scripture, quotes, song lyrics, etc… that either speak of His strength or direct me to His strength. Not every single day but some days even more than once I am giving Him my strength in exchange for His strength.)
I got to Bayside Community Church where Celebrate Recovery is held just a few miles from our home where worship was ready to start. It seemed like a Friday night like any other and I went down to the front row and took a seat (just love to worship). In just a moment the leader came up on stage and announced that as soon as we recited the serenity prayer that Sheila Raye Charles was going to lead the rest of the meeting. My mouth dropped. The last time she addressed the CR that I attended locally I was unable to attend and quite disappointed. Here was God making a way for me!
I had my His Strength journal lying on my chair and quite shortly I heard Sheila quite exuberantly holler “Power”, talking about God’s Power above all other. This was the reason that I brought my Journal. She gave a powerful, life altering message regarding God’s word for her to share with others, forgiveness, redemption, and on and on for a good 1 ½ hours.
As I looked around it certainly seemed that not a one person was untouched. God’s power had fallen through the presence of the Holy Spirit. I would be surprised if any ever forgot this night. As we all made it to the back I was definitely looking to speak to Sheila and tell her the story of why I was toting along my Journal. A lady stopped to ask me my thoughts on the night and to my surprise within about a minute, Sheila runs over to her, wraps her arms around her neck shouting “Mom”. To my surprise I had been talking with her mother. We naturally started talking so I showed her my journal and shared how I came about bringing it, her mouth fell open. I asked her to sign it, of course. (I will put this post with it in the my journal which is rough but it is not finished and is really only for me – my only attempt at making my own journal so still kind of fun, huh?)
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| Her Signature |
I spoke with her for a few minutes after, which is again a true God thing. (Not long after our move to Florida in 2005 I was prayed for and delivered from a spirit of fear. I was horribly shy even to the point of only praying out loud in front of people enough times to count on one hand since I was a toddler. – God has now been teaching me how to walk without that fear. I do count it all gain since I do know so much of the time when it is truly not me and it is for sure, GOD!) I also shared with her my word from God that I know I am to share with others, James 4:8a “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Sheila Raye Charles is quite down to earth and so comfortable to talk to. I felt like she and I could be girlfriends, sisters in Christ! It was all so very welcoming!
2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
I “floated” out of the venue not coming down from the presence of His Holy Spirit until around 1 am (nearly 4 hours later). Also, having a confirmation in my heart that God had given me a glimpse into my future, knowing that prison ministry is where I belong at least part time in the future. Those lost souls are my heart. I truly know no other way to explain it! “I once was lost but now I’m found!” ONLY GOD knows what’s next and how all of this will fit into my future yet I thank Him for His glimpses that truly help to keep my spirit seeking!
May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Also, please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Thanks and may God bless all your days!
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