I Surrender

I haven't posted for awhile. It isn't that I haven't had anything to blog, it's just that I wasn't sure how much I wanted to articulate via blogland. This coming weekend is my last big YIAT meeting ..... soon I will have to change the name of my blog to something else because I will no longer be "YIAT Mama". The past 6 yrs have come and gone so fast. I can't belive it. The emotions in which I am feeling this week are all over the place, it is hard to articulate so I will try the best I can because it is time I put them to written words.

I don't want to give the wrong impression because I know some of my soon-to-be parishoners read my blog and I want you all to know how very blessed I feel to be your soon-to-be Pastor. The emotions I am feeling of letting go of one ministry and stepping into the next are so Spirit-filled and hard at the same time. The past 6yrs of my life have been so immersed in the ministry of the Youth In Action Team. My calendar as well as my heart reflects that today.

As I look ahead to this Fall, all the dates I normally would have filled with meetings will now be filled with other things .... new things, new challenges and chapters. And I will be thinking and praying for you as I walk those dates with you from a very different place.

I have been so blessed by all the people whom I have met through this ministry over the years. Thank you for sharing your life with me. And I will still be around via all my technology and such, so be sure to stay in touch. And also be kind and gracious to whoever God calls into YIAT leadership just as you have been to me.

This road has lead us both to the mountain top and the valley over the years, but all has been blessed by His steps and as always, faithfullness has prevailed. I hope I have taught you to persevere in your walk even in the tough times, and I hope I have taught you to surrender and follow where and when God calls your name, and I hope I have taught you to lead with humility and grace, and not to take yourself to seriously, and I hope I have taught you that you matter in life, that life is a gift and you need to live it well and with intergrity and virtue, and I hope I have taught you to love in all things.

Because you have blessed my life in so many wonderful ways and have taught me about myself though God's grace and call.

Today, once again .... I surrender.

Lori