refinement

I have been going through a difficult time with one of the disaster teams I lead. I had to remove a couple of folks from leadership. Since then, Christmas Eve no less, I have been under investigation due to the false allegations of stealing, record falsifying, unethical business practices and so on by the two folk. It has been such a HUGE strain on both Tim and I. (Bear with me, I’ll get to the point in a moment). We volunteer our time, for years to this cause- medical care to those after a devastation. Some of the accusations….uugh! It hurts my soul. I have TRIED to keep a faithful testimony throughout all of this as I interact with a committee and several on that committee personally. I love them. I love Jesus. I want them to repent from their sin and love Jesus. So I keep trying..and crying to my husband.

So one day I finally decided, God if I’m not doing this for you, then there is no point. So if I’m doing this for You – then I better get about it more DIRECTLY with some of these folks. "Hey____ do you know that you are held accountable to God for your family as you are the head of your family? I love you man, take them to church, go to God”. Also with a lady who knows the path to Jesus but isn’t ready “to give up what I know I’ll have to”…..we discussed letting God determine what needs to be surrendered after you’re His…no judgements..just go to God.
This week, this same lady blew me away. I didn’t think I was making any headway in her seeing my relationship w/ God until she said that she assigned a ring tone to me on her cell. Really? Sweet, what is it? Avalon’s…”Testify the Love”. My eyes well up just recalling it. Thank you Father for this encouragement. My walk does make a difference in someone’s life b/c lately it sure hasn’t felt it. But that’s why we don’t operate on feelings. My pastor tommy last night preached on the series Giants In Our Life, this sermon on discouragement. For me. God repeated one word to me over and over. REFINEMENT. REFINEMENT. This is for your good Karen and My glory.
Please pray for D. Please pray for L. And please pray for my Papa. I shared my faith with him over a week ago and he said I don’t believe in God or Jesus the way you and your grandma do. Yes, this is the same man who had a heart attack and left against orders from the ICU.

Thanks for hearing me out.

Another day gone by....