Friday, August 27, 2010

Population Me

I was just in the car and heard a new song on KLTY. It caught my attention because, although I don't remember the exact lyrics, the idea was; I can make selfish decisions when the population is me.

That line of "population me" was very black and white. Selfish = me, selfless = 2. When we do something for another person, we leave the "me" camp and our perspective is broadened.

My husband and I have just bought a home and are moving this Sunday. We prayed through every decision regarding this house, because we knew this home was not ours, but a tool the Lord would use to bring peace and joy to other people. The first evening we owned the house, we went in the backyard and said "This is God's house. We don't deserve this and we did nothing to earn this. So we will only use it how God tells us to use it."

Making that decision from day one was so important to the population of our house. We can have a mentality of "us four no more" or we can create a safe environment for hurting people to come and find healing, through hospitality and friendship.

This example was set for us very strongly by our parents. Many people have found the love of Jesus through the peace and safety of our parents homes.

I wanted to write about this today because I pray that many others will have their perspective broadened about the value of their home. In American, the value of homes are based on size, materials used, trees on the lot, etc. But what is the true value of your home? Do you see it as a place for your family to eat and sleep? Or is it a place of refuge for the needy and comfort for the brokenhearted.

Kyle and I were raised in homes that didn't just shut the door to the world around it, but welcomed others in and met their needs.

This blog is a shout out to our parents. They prove that communities are changed when a family doesn't close the blinds, but instead, looks out and loves those who need help.

-Katy

Saturday, August 21, 2010

When Priorities Change

Goals, dreams, lists, values... all great things, but it seems they change.

When I was younger I wanted to work in marketing in a tall building in the big city, drink coffee, wear high heels, be in charge of things and go to meetings with clients. I know, drink coffee? But it just seemed really cool.

So at the ripe age of 21 I actually worked for an advertising agency, in a tall building in the big city, drank coffee, wore high heels, had a lot of responsibilities and even went to client meetings. (some pretty cool ones to) Well, it turned out that was not what I truly desired after all. What my heart longed for, was something completely different!

God removed me from that career path and took me to my current job in women's groups, which by the way, I said I would never do. I work for an incredible church that is setting the example for churches all over the world for health, healing, worship, stewardship, giving, local and global outreach and much more. My job is not glamorous as I spend most of my day answering questions and making excel sheets, but I love it. It is my dream for today and God changed my heart so that I could fulfill this role in the church body. For the record I still wear high heels.

The reason I was thinking about this is my sister posted a blog today about not having a desire to have anymore biological children, although she values that gift, her heart has been changed by the Lord to long for orphans to have homes. Her mother's heart has been redirected for the motherless. What an honor that the Lord trusted her to fulfill this role. She is an advocate for orphans around the world and her voice will bring thousands of abandoned children to their mommy and daddy.

I am so proud that what society says is most important, does not control her decisions, but her humility to the little ones in need and listening to the call of God.

This makes me wonder what dreams I have now that I currently think are important, but will eventually turn into insignificant details. I can say today that I never would have dreamed of being a part of a ministry that washes the feet of strippers... but God changed that too.

-Katy

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Why's

Sometimes things happen that make you go "Really?"

This morning I learned about a sad loss in my family and my body is still numb. I am frozen by the "why" in my heart.

A few years ago my family experienced a tragic loss and the "why" of that event took over in my heart for a season. That is a nice way of saying I was ticked at God. For months I was in a funk of numbness and hurt. From that experience I learned that the "why" that haunts you can be your worst enemy. To demand to know why and understand can be the source of depression or rebelion.

Today as I feel the need to scream at the Lord and explain to Him what would have been better, I know deep down that my will has to rise above my emotions and decide to trust my faithful God.

I'm not going to stuff down my feelings or pretend that I'm fine, but I will express them and know that although those feelings are real, they have no power over me.

The only power that I can allow to be over me is the healing power of the Holy Spirit. It is His job to heal mine and my family's heart and it is our job to guard our hearts from bitterness.

I believe it is not the events in our lives that cause the most pain. It is the why that we allow to control us.

- Katy

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Three Lessons

It is Saturday night and I could be spending time with my awesome friends or family. But instead I am here, sitting on the ground in the corner of the dressing room hunched over clipping a strangers toe nails and she's HIGH!!

These were the thoughts that were going through my mind about 9pm this past Saturday as I was back at the strip club giving pedicures to the dancers with three other women.

The lessons learned this time: 1) humility 2) patience 3) and a grand finale of faith.

Humility


I realized something while washing "Clover's" feet. The moment I walk in the door here, I no longer work at a mega-church and do important Kingdom things all day. I don't tithe or give to missions. I don't have a solid marriage, healthy friend and family relationships. I don't watch what I eat, work-out or drink lots of water. I am no longer the person that makes me a "good person" in church world. I am a stranger here to give you a free pedicure.

A dancer decides I look trust worthy enough to let me paint her toenails and immediately I am a part of her world. Smoke blowing my face, dirty language used in our conversation and all the drama you can image. So different than my world.

Then the moment I walk out, my handsome godly husband picks me up in our shiny new truck and saves me from the dirtiness and takes me to our peaceful happy life. (Keep in mind I like it that way and I don't want any of that to change, I guess I just find it ironic.)

Any way, that is how the evening began. Contemplating how my life is so so so different then theirs, but only by a few choices.

Patience


While sitting listening to the girls' casual conversations, each one of them admit that they have either been raped or sexually abused. This is their casual conversation. That is when I realized that maybe clipping Clover's toenails didn't matter tonight, but overtime it will. This ministry is about trust. When you reach out to those who have been wronged their entire life, it is going to take some time.

Faith


While we were in the club, Kyle stayed at a near by McDonald's and prayed for us. As he was sitting there a woman walked up and asked him if he was reading the Bible. He said yes and they began talking about why he was there. She said that she was a Christian also, from New York, just passing through and she thought it was awesome what he was doing and went on the restroom. When she came out, the woman went back over to Kyle and said that God had told her to give to the ministry and handed him a $100 check.

That woman's faith in God's leading gave us a huge boost of faith and encouragement that we were needing. It showed Kyle that his time spent in pray mattered. It showed me that the time spent listening to these hurting women mattered. And even clipping Clover's toenails mattered. But most of all, the dancers matter.

- Katy