Sweetest Moment of All

Moments are just nuggets of time that come and go. Some , however, make such an impact they leave a lasting and even eternal impression. I couldn't think of a better way to begin this blog than to share my sweetest moment of all.

I was an ordinary girl, the youngest of three girls, who lived in an ordinary, small Texas town. My parents did their best to educate and raise me up in the Church. I participated in all the right activities and knew all the right answers. At age nine, I decided to "go down front" at church one Sunday. To me as a little girl, it was just what you were supposed to do next. I remember sitting in the Pastors office a few Sundays later. He quizzed me on my Bible knowledge, and of course I knew all the right answers. I was baptized a few weeks later, and that was that. It may have been a shallow start, but God started a work in me that day that will not end until the day I die.

I played the part of the good ,church going girl for several years. When adolescence hit, I was easily persuaded by the world. Things went downhill for me for the next 7 years. Throughout high school I dated a highly unstable and abusive boy. College was full of parties and another unhealthy relationship. Even in the midst of all this, I had a burning desire to run to God. I never felt "at home" in that environment. Why I kept up the charade for so long is beyond me. Most likely, it was due to my stubbornness and pride.

In the fall of 1999, my last semester in college, the pull from my Lord and Savior became irresistibly strong. My heart longed for Him in a way that I could not deny any longer. God used my oldest sister to lovingly and honestly set me straight. What a fool I would have been to hold on to my pride any longer. My sweetest moment of all was in my small bedroom of an apartment, on my knees before God crying out the painful but cleansing confession of my sin and repentance. Most importantly was acknowledging and accepting His grace and mercy, His gift of Salvation. It is a gift, no doubt about it. I have done absolutely nothing to earn this sweet and precious gift. I have a list very long of my own sin and fallen moments (that list continues to grow everyday!!) Because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, I have the privilege of a right and reconciled relationship with God, my Father and Creator. Though my list may grow, God sees me perfectly clean without blemish. Great is Our God!

I left college with a renewed and deeply passionate desire to pursue God in every way. I wanted to saturate myself in His Holiness and presence. I needed time to be alone with God. A few months later God moved me to San Antonio, away from everyone I knew. I got my alone time!! I sat many nights in my apartment pouring over the Bible and lost in prayer. For most of my life I had loved many people and things, but now my one and true love was God. I was in no way looking for a relationship with a man. I was completely content growing closer to God. For the first time, He filled my heart first and anything else was an overflow of my love relationship with Him.

About a month after I moved to San Antonio, I visited Northeast Bible Church and attended the Newcomers class. A week later, the leader of that class introduced me to Gabe Landes. I soon started attending the Singles group through which I developed many friendships, including one with Gabe. In the next 7 months, God developed between Gabe and I a lasting friendship that turned into love. We married in July 2001. Six years down the road and God has blessed me with an adorable and charming little boy, Isaac and a beautiful, loving little girl Julia. Precious Blessings!

God has grown me spiritually by leaps and bounds over the last 7 years. I have grown intimate with His true character and deepened my love for Him. My eyes are on Him and I sincerely desire to follow Him for the rest of my days. I still stumble, but God is bending down to pick me up before I even take that stumbling step. He knows my every thought, my every move. He knows me intimately. When my days end on this earth, I hope others look at my life and see God's Glory. May every step I take be for Him. It is ALL FOR HIS GLORY!