Mistakes, Burdens, and Answered Prayers

God is amazing. The more that I learn about him, the more he amazes me! I just recently finished a 21 day fast from meat, sweets, and caffiene (along with the support of two friends who fasted with me). We each verbally and written expressed reasons for the fast and what we hoped to get out of the whole thing. My orignial purpose was for God to reveal to me the next step I am to take upon graduation in May. I also asked God to place is guiding hand on a friend of mine, Courtney. Over Christmas, while on vacation from school, I got to spend a lot of time with a couple youth from church. Courtney and I became really close friends and shared a bond like none other. She is really like the little sister that I never had. Courtney unfortunately had begin to travel down a path that I was very familiar with. A path that leads far away from the hands of God and straight into the arms of Satan. I knew this because I had been down that same path and was myself, slowly finding my way back into the light.

Seeing Courtney make some of the same mistakes I made really bothered me. I later realized that God was placing a special burden on my heart for her. I also realized that special burden was His way of telling me that I needed to fully surrender to Him. The fast was just one example of me giving it all to God. I have also decided that rather than worrying about what I want to do after graduation, I will concentrate on what GOD WANTS me to do after graduation.

After a lot of worrying and praying, I got a random strange text message from Courtney last night. The message said, "I broke up with Derek." and that was it. The message came in the last part of intermission for the Mr. and Ms. Mount Olive College pageant that I volunteer at every year. I was dumbfounded and wanted to call her but knew I wouldn't have time to chat as the second half of the pageant was about to begin. All throughout the second part of the pageant I kept thinking about it and I couldn't wait to call her. Finally, the pageant was over and I was able to call her. Sure enough she realized that he was a complete loser and that she had changed so much because of him. She admitted to basically renouncing God and church because of her boyfriend Derek, who claimed to be the "spawn of Satan". However, she told me that she prayed for the first time in a while and that she felt God touch her and tell her it would all be ok. It was music to my ears. My prayers have been answered! She realized that she made mistakes and that she has a road to travel for healing and re-growth in the Lord. Please continue to pray for her healing heart and for her re-growth as she is back in the Father's flock!