Olives, Daisies and a Shower

 I was watching an episode of Pushing Daisies online yesterday and one of the main characters (Olive Snook) decided to become a nun.  As I watched her running around the abbey I was reminded of all the "Saints" who have left behind prayers that have been kept around for hundreds of years.  They are like little encounters with God that they left for us...I need those prayers right now as I am striving to revitalize my prayer life...As I was watching a second episode of Pushing Daisies this morning I was interrupted by a text message reminding me of God's grace.  It was a reminder of the present day encounters there are to be had with God...I need those texts right now as I am striving to revitalize my relationship with Jesus...As I was watching "Fireproof" tonight there were lyrics to songs that would just leap out at me as if they were shouting "HEY! Look over hear, you gotta get this!"...I need those songs right now as I am striving to listen to Jesus.

God is so patient with me its ridiculous!  If I wrote a song I think it'd be "your patience is extravagant." God spent over a year and a half teaching me about love, and I haven't even fully learned all I need to yet.  But now I think He's moving on to teaching me about my need for others and how the "body of Christ" is really supposed to be one.  I have a lot more questions than answers right now and through this time God has been showing me the supports I've needed.  When I didn't know what to pray He gave me prayers.  When I didn't know how to encounter Christ, He gave me thoughts to remind me of His character.  When I didn't know how to listen, He sent me melodies.  And all these are coming straight through another human that I need.   Its not that I NEED anyone else for life, but I NEED others to complete the flow of Christ coming to me.  Its like a shower head...have you ever had one that is super old and covered in gunk and the water is just spraying all over the place?  It isn't very effective, but when the plumber comes and cleans it out all the little streams of water come together and start spraying forward drenching the person.  A friend reminded me today that God speaks through us all.  So if my relationship with any person is not correctly aligned I can miss the encounter with Christ completely. 

Thanks to those who have gone before and have left remnants for those of us still learning to run.  Thanks to all the artists who have dedicated their lives to expressing the creativity of their savior through song.  Thanks most of all to my closest friends who are sharing with me daily, reminding me of Christ.