April 20, 2003 was Easter Sunday

In essence this coming Easter Sunday is an anniversary of sorts. My steps into a church. Steps I wanted to take and not steps parents pushed me to. Or even being the biggest Osmond Brothers fan and take seat in a LDS ward to listen to the Osmonds share their testimonies.

Yea, I wasn't feelin' the whole God thing back then. Hey, I admit I'd make fun of folks and call them 'holy rollers'. Why would anybody give up sleepin' in late and then --EEKS--miss NFL football--for CHURCH? Naw. Wasn't part of my plan. Hangovers had to be recovered from, pizza to be bought, wondered how quick Friday could roll around again to see if the guy I slept with remembered my number.

Yea. God, church and me. Not BFF's. I had too much other stuff to do.

In 2003 life was topsy turvy. I still grieved the death my dad, Big Daddy Don in '01. I'd get an e-mail from the lawyer saying I had to pay this and pay that. Dad, unfortunately died without insurance--which I didn't didn't know until after he passed. I guess, I should have kept on him about such things, yet I thought my step mother had a handle on it. She didn't. My fault I didn't talk to her--so long story on all that. I eventually was minus 12 grand.

My work situation was horrendous. I experienced the sensation of a boss trying to find something to get me fired. Why? Gotta ask her. My boss wound up being my boss due to a reorganization. This happened right after I was promoted, that job--a dream job--lasted 4 months, before the re-org. I wasn't able to stay. I won't bore with everything. From working together literally 6 working days, my new boss wrote me up because she 'saw things'. When I asked what, she couldn't answer--then to my birthday week in April, and another week before Easter 2003, she wrote me up not once--but twice. The last accusing me of gambling on company time. When I asked her HOW I did that, she had no actual proof. I proved her wrong on what she did have.

That was Thursday, the day before Good Friday 2003. Earlier in April something just popped into my head, "Go to church." I'm like "Huh?" and poo poo'd that off. CHURCH?
After the chat with my boss, I went straight to a co-worker who earlier told me about a church pretty much in my own back yard. She'd printed off directions because she knew I would be back. She said God told her. OK. Yea. OK.

I didn't drive past that night. Scared I think. So I waited for the next day. Good Friday. I couldn't even drive in the lot,. I just parked in front of the church. I remember saying, "I'm going to THAT?" Chills thru my body. I really wanted to go IN.

Eager for Sunday. I'd purchased a bible. Acted like I knew what I was.
Then on Easter, which is Resurrection Sunday, I got up on the day Jesus died.
And journeyed to my first, I really want to be here church service-
Chills
They have yet to stop...
I am blessed.

Easter Rise

Grand Easter Service spent at Inspiring Body of Christ Church, with Pastor Rickie Rush, who spoke how we should not let a stone cover our grave. Basically, the stone was moved away from the tomb of Jesus and He was not there. In our lives, the stone is the devil who tries his best to not let you move. To not let you rise up. The devil tries to make you feel hopeless, helpless and isolated from your support.

The sermon hit me. It was how I felt pretty much this past entire week--a week I had off. To enjoy and celebrate my birthday. I did have a good time--yet, something hung over my head the entire time. My time wasn't like I wanted it to be. Due the stone that was over me. The stone I didn't push hard enough to move. As Pastor Rush said, the more the anointing the more the attack.

I understand that NOW. The devil doesn't want us to succeed at what we're called to do. Some times I think I've let God just to to voice mail. That needs to stop. Be thankful with what He brought me through--even if this week. He was with me all the time. Because of Him I am here. Because of Him I can go on.

This Easter Sunday was also an anniversary of sorts. On Easter Sunday 2003, I stepped foot in a church for the first time other than a child to recite a verse or a fan to hear the Osmonds bear their testimony, or even somebody's wedding. I went to church that day because I wanted to. Needed to fill a void in my heart. At my wit's end professionally and still mourned the death of my dad.

Easter Sunday 2006, was my first time back at church after my mitral valve replacement surgery. I'd just gotten the OK to drive a couple days before. Been away for almost two months. He had been in my house, to get me well, then it was my turn to go to His house. It was Resurrection Sunday-for both of us.

And today. The message Pastor Rush delivered touched me. Hit all the way home. I've been called to use the gifts God gave me. No more voice mail. I will listen to message first hand and not run. I'm destined. We all are. Do what you know you should do.

I am blessed.