A Crosspointer, I Must Become

Over the last week, our lives have officially changed.  No baby yet, still have a few weeks for that one!

As of Sunday, Rich has stepped into the role of Lead Pastor of our church, Crosspoint Community Church.  I am so proud of Rich.  Over the last 13 years, I have watched him grow so tremendously as a man, a follower of Christ, a husband, and a father.  What a journey, and what a blessing to see things desired become reality.

As for me?  I am humbled beyond all reason.  I feel like the shoes I now wear shall never fit.  As if parenting 3, almost 4, children isn't enough, now I carry the title "Pastor's Wife."  I much prefer the anonymity of behind-the-scenes work.  Beyond that, my role as wife (in general) really has taken on a new dimension, as my bi-vocational husband juggles more.  Add to all that a newborn.  Yeah.

Am I complaining?  No.  Am I in need?  Absolutely.  I think the beauty of this transition is found in the name of the church, "Crosspoint Community Church." 

When things become overwhelming, which I am confident at times they will, I can remember that I only need to point to the Cross.  The work has been completed, I must simply rely on what Jesus has already done for myself, my husband, my children, and our church.  What a stress reliever!  

Our church is based on community together.  What a beautiful thing to live in community with one another and become a discipling bunch, who in turn make disciples.  I have a built in support system that is committed to gathering weekly to lift each other up by the power of the Gospel.  It is beautiful.

As a community who points to the Cross, we step out on mission together, aka the "church."  When we feel lost, we simply join back in on the mission of the church, in the fellowship of our community, in admiration of the cross.

This new chapter is one that excites me.  I am not perfect, and don't have much in myself to offer.  But I do know a God who is infinitely equipped to handle any situation, and to Him I defer.

The Garment of Praise

On Sunday this week, I was taken to the ER with horrible abdominal pain. I could hardly breathe it hurt so badly. After a couple of hours there, they diagnosed me with Gastritis. They sent me home with some medicine and said to watch what I eat. I followed up with my doctor the next day.

She took me off the medicine they gave me because it wasn't as safe for nursing as she would like. While I was there, I asked her to thoroughly check me over--blood work and everything. I'm tired of medical surprises, such as this pain and my thyroid. She requested the records from the hospital and reviewed them. Everything looked great except for my liver enzymes were slightly elevated. She ordered some lab work just to verify.

Last night those results came in. Two of those enzymes were supposed to less than 31 or 33, and mine were well over 1200. Needless to say, I'm a bit concerned. Rich got home from his softball game and I lost it. I don't know how much more medical drama I can handle. I got a phone cal this morning just after 8AM from my doctor. They are ordering an ultrasound to look at my liver, they ordered some blood work to screen for Hepatitis, and I'm being refereed to a specialist. I am a nervous wreck. I have no idea what to expect.....a simple infection, a terminal disease, cancer??? I don't know.

As I was thinking about everything last night, I just felt a heaviness. It was a mixture of fear, depression and death. God reminded me of a song from years ago. Its lyrics are straight out of Isaiah 61. Specifically, I remembered the portion about how God will give us a "garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that we might be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified". Rich and I spent some time last night praising God. It's time to start wearing that garment of praise.