A Fish out of Water.

I start this blog after a 3-hour hiatus of hiding in my new favorite book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer and my morning bible time with my homemade lavender cold form latte. It’s better than any coffee shop I swear.

I decided it was time for a shower after I’ve bathed in my own filth all morning in my raggy t-shirt and shorts. Of course, all my greatest ideas have come from showering, I don’t know the science behind it. Maybe it’s Living Water :)

As I was washing my hair, I thought of all the different ways to start this blog, the FIRST blog of our launch of EMBER, might I add. So, it’s kind of a big deal, after deep conditioning I figured, I’ll get on my computer and God will direct my steps. Seems to be working so far.

I am so particular and always have been because I want to ensure the reader or anyone listening, understands the depth of wisdom and thought behind “my” words. The depth and wisdom coming from God, as they always are, so I should say “His” words.

I spent the last 3 months thinking of the encounters I’ve had with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Like the time I was 3 and tugged on my grandma’s pant leg to ask if the wine was turned into blood during a Catholic Eucharist at mass. Or the time Jesus saved me during sleep paralysis. Or the overwhelmingly roller coaster of a journey in my marriage. Or God’s deepest call to me in the middle of the wilderness, I was lost, confused, and oh so desperate for belonging.

I read my favorite authors, one mentioned already, John Mark Comer, Lysa TerKeurst, my favorite of all favorites, God Himself. I think about how great they are, how much beautiful skill and craftsmanship they have in their eloquently choice words. I can never measure up!

I never thought I could. In the 3^rd grade I found myself in special classes for students, lacking in pronunciation development (ask my husband, it’s still one of my biggest struggles and wounds). But God didn’t call those perfect in their craft, right? Moses was a quote “terrible” leader as self-proclaimed to God at his calling. Yet he led all the Israelites out of exile and saw God Himself. David tackled the goliath, yet was an underdog by all who knew him. The bible is full of stories like this. I feel my story is similar, yet who am I to compare to anyone in the bible. Maybe you feel your story is similar?

I had a dream once, I was completely submerged in water, yet I was breathing. In my dream, I remember being so scared to take a breath, with every ounce of being in my soul feeling as though, I’d never be able to get air, yet, somehow, I got a breath. I think starting EMBER was God's way of bringing this dream to reality.

Today is the day I’ll be baptized (for the second time, more on my story in later blogs). I had an epiphany, in the shower (again of all places), God is our “Living Water.” Without Him, we are fish out of water, we are out of our element. The truth is, we will never be able to accomplish anything without Him. We need His Living Water, flowing through us like a youthful fountain of hope. Hope in our lives, Hope in our dreams, Hope in our callings. Come walk on the Living Water of Truth, Hope, and greatest of all Love.