This past weekend we had the opportunity to do something for our daughter Olivia. We took her to the American Girl Doll Store outside of Washington DC. If you don't know what the American Girl Doll Store is just think of of Build-a-Bear on steroids...in fact as much as stuff costs in there it should be illegal like steroids. But I'll admit this trip wasn't just for her...I needed coffee!! Now you may think, "I didn't know DC was known for its coffee." It probably isn't to most people...but while we were there I had to go Ebenezer's...a crack house turned coffee house. It is under the umbrella of National Community Church, led by pastor & author Mark Batterson. Our final day I asked Siri how to get to Ebenezer's...in pouring down rain I ran in to get coffee w/ a cause...their saying...all profits support global missions.
What does this have to do with a child's question? Stay with me & I'll get to that. Mark Batterson's books & sermons have had a tremendous impact on my life. It was his writings that began the process of me embracing spiritual risk. It was also an opportunity for me to 'see outside myself.' January of 2011 at The Gathering (a conference for ministers) Mark Batterson spoke...when he 1st began a pastor friend of mine said, "I'm looking at Tommy Albertson preach." Slowly I began to see a little of what he was talking about. During that time it was as if God was saying, "I want you to SEE you are capable of so much more." In no way am I saying I'll achieve the 'success' Mark Batterson has been blessed to achieve...I realized, "I'm not who I think I am." It was not an overnight change...
After returning home I had In a Pit With a Lion on A Snowy Day in the car with me. It was laying upside down with the picture of Mark Batterson facing up...as the kids got in the car they both asked, "Why is your picture on the book?" Once again God was saying, "You are not who you think you are...I want you to SEE you are capable of so much more." Leap forward 4 years to present day DC...while waiting in the car while I went into Ebenezer's Olivia asked Christy, "Why doesn't Daddy write books?" When Christy told me that my thoughts were, "I have nothing to write worth reading." "I don't think I could handle the rejection (sounds like a McFly from Back to the Future)." Then God said, 'You aren't who you think you are. I want you to SEE you are capable of so much more."
I don't know what that means going forward completely...I do know I am going to be obedient no matter how scary that might be...I know "By the grace of God i am not who I think I am...I am always looking to SEE how much more I am capable of."
(Disclaimer: In no way am I saying I'm a dead ringer)
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