A new creation....

2 Corinthians 5:17

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

I truly believe, with all my heart, that when we choose to live for God we are a new creation. Everything in our past is forgiven, we have a clean slate, and we are a new creation.

This last week I heard from 3 former students. They are all in college now. I still see them as 12 year olds because that is when I fell in love with them....but they are older now and growing up. There were times when I was teaching where I found myself so frustrated. I wanted each child to know how much I loved them and sometimes I wondered if they really, really knew. I would walk into that classroom every single day ready to love them like God loves them.....no matter if/how they loved me back.

It was neat this week to hear from a few of them because God showed me that when we plant seeds....there will be beautiful fruit. One thing I have had to learn is that I may not see the "fruit" for years....but that is ok. Back then I wanted to see fruit in those special moments, and sometimes I did, but not always.

This week I saw fruit from a seed that was planted 7 years ago and then fruit that was planted 5 years ago. And all I could do was cry very, very happy and grateful tears. To hear a student tell me that he loves God now because I loved him makes life all matter in a much more meaningful way. Yes, I wanted him to love God 5 years ago, but he loves him today....and it was worth the wait because his eternity is forever changed.

I have been so encouraged this week to be reminded that God will be faithful if we just plant the seed. Sometimes our ONLY part in someones life is to plant the seed....but planting the seed can change someones life forever.

As I watched Brylee paint a few days ago I thought about how neat it is when we give God the paintbrush and allow Him to do all the painting. It is neat when we can surrender areas of our life to Him and just follow Him in the way that He leads us....even if it is scary....

God can paint a much more beautiful picture when we choose Him daily and give the paintbrush to Him. I am at a place where I am trying so hard to just trust Him with everything. It is much easier to start "painting" each morning and doing what I think is best....but I am trying to stop doing that.

I want to be completely guided by Him and I want to continue planting seeds....even if I don't see fruit for years to come....or even while I am on this earth.

When we choose Christ we are a new creation.....it is that simple.

I encourage you to allow Him to hold the paintbrush.....and just get ready for ALL that He will do! He will amaze you.....