My Small Town Walk

I felt so restless today. I have a huge project I'm working on but I just couldn't focus. So, I decided to go for a walk. I love this charming mid-west town. It's quaint houses and tree-lined streets are beautiful, even in the cold of winter.  I bundled up and walked to my local thrift store and then through the alley to one of my favorite tea shops. 

It was cold today so I found myself alone in this awesome cobblestone alley.

I just love this window at "IVY" a local restaurant in downtown.

As a pastor's wife, it's nice to go out and about where people don't really identify you as such. I love engaging people in conversation and asking questions about things in their store. Today, I ended up Serene Teas. www.sereneteaz.com

I asked the gal who served me to tell me about a new product I found on their shelf. It's called Rock Sugar! There's also another product called Hail Sugar! She told me all about the process of making it and the awesome flavors that can be added. I found it supremely interesting and can't wait to learn more so I can share it with all of you. 

This darling shop sells a large variety of teas as well as beautiful tea pots and tea cups. The owner has been super sweet to let me take pictures of her things. The cup above is one of my favorites. 

So, why this sharing of my wanderings today?

When I returned home I poured myself a cup of  the French Vanilla Roiboos I'd purchased, and sat back down to work on my project. 

 I found I still could not focus. I kept thinking about my little town and the charming people in it.  I felt glad for the walk, the chat and the tea. I sat and prayed for the ladies who served me at Serene Tea, I asked God to show me how I could be a light in my small town. No huge epiphany hit me but I think I'll take a few more walks and have a few more conversations with people.  

I still have that project to get to. I guess I'll have another cup of tea and get to work. 

Red doors? What's behind them? I guess I'll have to take more walks to find out. 

Okay, I'm working, I'm working. 

Is my pastor's wife a christian?

Snow and tea, they don't really go together do they?

Unless of course you are drinking a warm pot of tea on a snowy day.  But no one would ever ask you, "Would you like some snow with your tea?" 

I wonder how God feels when we allow such juxtapositions in our lives?

Here's something that doesn't seem to go together. A pastor's wife who is not a christian. It's almost impossible to believe. Yet, it happens.

If you are one of my dear pastor's wives following this blog, stick with me okay. Perhaps you are a true Christ follower, but you may have a fellow staff wife who needs you to ask these very important questions.

Have you received Christ as your personal savior? Do you recall when it happened? Are you any different because of it?

When you arrive at church on Sunday mornings are you like these cups? Beautiful, but filled with icy cold anger, bitterness and strife?

or are you filled with the warmth and grace of the Holy Spirit?

Are you overwhelmed with anger, bitterness, hatred, malice, or self- loathing? These are all part of our old nature. If you've prayed to receive Christ you may still be tempted by these things but they ought not control you any longer. Now, I'm not saying to doubt your salvation if you struggle. I'm simple saying, as a Christ follower you have hope and strength. If you feel no hope and can't recall a time you asked the Lord to be the leader of your life then perhaps it is time.

The bible tells us that when we are saved we are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:6) and we are marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1;13, 14)

The scripture says nothing about being married into salvation. You husbands walk will not guarantee your own. Your family history of church going does not save you, any more than going to the grocery store weekly makes you a pineapple.

In order to truly know Christ you must come to a cross roads where you declare you are a sinner, confess your need of Christ and believe on Him alone to save you.  There's no short cut to faith. No way around it. You must believe in Christ alone. Have you? Will you now?

Here's a website with a video I created to explain salvation clearly. There is a prayer at the end of the video. Regardless of your husbands position or how long you've gone to church, you can pray that prayer. You can be sure. You can be transformed.

Go watch the bead story here:
www.wordlesswalkingsticks.com

I long to know we are ...
- under the same wing,
Joleen

Visit Pastorswife101's profile on Pinterest. Visit Pastorswife101's profile on Pinterest.