A few years ago I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I experienced something similar to what's described in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit fell on the early church on the day of Pentecost, 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. I didn't see tongues of fire, or hear the wind, but I did feel the love of God so powerfully that I began to shake and ended up on the ground for over an hour crying. I just couldn't believe that he loved me that much that he would single me out in that way. He loved me so much that he wanted to use me. Little old me!! I also felt the after effects as described in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” . I had a hunger for the Word like never before and I understood it like never before. I spoke with unusual boldness about my faith in Christ and friends all over my neighborhood began to give their lives to Christ after hearing my testimony. My husband, however, did not share my excitement. He was scared. He once told me that he was worried I was going to bring home some cool-aid and demand that he drink it! As I began signing up for every Bible study I could get my hands on, he began to feel left out and used. Something so wonderful as receiving the Holy Spirit was beginning to drive a wedge between my husband and I.
I have been praying for my husband since that time. That he would come to know and love Christ and experience God's love tangibly as I had. It has been rough. There were days when I would cry out to God "Why is it taking so long??" He would lovingly reply to me "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!" Peace would overwhelm me and again I would trust in my Savior's plan for my husbands life.
My prayers are being answered a day at a time. My husband is changing into who God promised me he would be! I am so grateful to God that I have no words to express to Him how thankful I am. His faithfulness moves me to tears!
Just this morning my husband recommended that I visit a site called CrossFit Faith. I have blogged about CrossFit before. It is an awesome workout regimen like no other. Elite and challenging, and on most days, down right insane!! But it is addicting and once you "drink the cool-aid" as CrossFitters like to say, it's all over. You can never go back to the old way of working out. He mentioned that he had been praying every morning and thanking God for another day! He also told me of something he had read on the CrossFit Faith website. Instead of saying "I can't believe I have to (enter your least favorite task here)"...try saying instead, "I can't believe I GET to (enter same task here)". I tried it out immediately!
You see, we have a very grumpy 4 year old. He is not a morning person. Every morning when I wake him up, I brace myself for the whining and crying and mean comments to come. This morning I said "I can't believe I GET to spend my day with my wonderful whiny 4 year old!!" So far, it has been a great day and I am so thankful that I GET to be a stay at home mom and be with him daily!!
I encourage you to visit CrossFit Faith and start the journey to Spiritual Fitness!! And if you're up to it...visit a CrossFit gym near you and try a physical workout too!!
Blessings,
Crunchy Katie
I Praise God for your Spiritual wisdom! You give me hope!
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