"Tomorrow, Easter, we shall celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Christ. I shall be remembering you in the Holy Communion. Away with tears and fears and troubles! United in wedlock with the eternal Godhead itself, our nature ascends into the Heaven of Heaven. So it would be impious to call ourselves miserable. On the contrary, Man is a creature whom the Angels were they capable of envy-would envy. Let us lift up our hearts!"

C.S. Lewis in Letters: C.S. Lewis

Today I read the blog of a woman I do not know, but I wish I did. She sounds beautiful and wonderful.

I've been spending all my free time (which isn't much with a 1 yr. old & a 2 yr. old) reading. I've been devouring books in a quest for finding other Truth seekers. My quest for actual Truth comes through my reading of the Word.

In all this reading I've been feeling like an island. Like I'm the only 30 something, wife, mom, business owner, sister and friend with this burning hunger to really KNOW God in a mature sense. I'm sure that deep down I know that I'm not an island. I have so many wonderful friends and family who are also Christ Followers, but I've been doing so much mentoring lately that it's been hard to find someone else who is mature in their faith and also actively seeking, reaching and moving forward.

So, when this blog popped up today and I read the content my heart did a little flip and a jig and started to grin, then smile, then burst into a full blown "Whoop!" My encouragement tank got all filled up by someone I've never seen or met. Ah, technology!

So, here's my response to her blog - I hope you'll read it and take some time to answer these questions for yourself.

1. When did you become a Christian?

I became a Christ Follower very early - age 5. I remember the day (warm and sunny in July), the setting (Vacation Bible School), the place (Juniper Park). My mom even made me a cake to celebrate. I knew I wanted to follow Jesus. I've been doing it all my life. There was very little rebellion in my life. Some, but not a lot. The call of the Holy Spirit was too great to allow me to stray far. For some this is a boring story. For me it's been the one true thing, the foundation and rock that I've clung to in stormy times, lonely times and the times when the road was unclear. Life has thrown it's best at me but I've had a sure and secure shelter all along the way.

2. Was there anyone instrumental in your decision to be a Christian?

My parents were very instrumental - their example of how to live a life that is guided by Christ has been priceless. Mary Jo Earwicker was the one who gave me the comic book with the story of Jesus and His sacrifice. She drove me to VBS and helped to light the way. Over the years my friends have helped to keep me on track - Sally, Julie, Jenny, Debra, Britta, Kristin, Karin and Jennifer. All these women were friends to me, supporting and loving me through the storms.

3. Were there any difficulties to overcome in your early walk with God?

As a strong personality I didn't deal with a lot of peer pressure. I had the respect of my friends and classmates in junior high and high school so the difficulty came more from my choices than from outside influences. I had to make good decisions and choices about my friends and my activities. I didn't always succeed, but I had so much help - the Holy Spirit was always there to guide me back to the path and light the way. I often marvel at how people go through their lives without this type of support. I can't even begin to imagine the loneliness, the despair and the confusion that comes with feeling as if you have no where to turn. But that's another post.

4. How did your life change after committing yourself to Christ?

My life didn't change in a drastic way. I don't know if it can at age 5. But looking back my entire journey has been so different than if I hadn't answered the call. My struggles would have been so much bigger. My troubles so much more intense. Through it all there was always this constant - God. Through the sacrifice of Christ my life has been a testimony to Him for all to see and hopefully learn and grow from.

5. Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

I have two life verses.

The first is Prov. 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight." My father gave me this verse very early in my life and it has been a guiding principle for many many years. It goes along with "I must decrease so that He might increase." Or in layman's terms - It's not about you!

The other verse is Jeremiah 29:11 - "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 hope and a future." Oh, how this verse has carried me through. There is no better promise than to hear from God that hope is alive.

Today it is the verses that surround these passages that give me strength. I am able to understand the context so much better and I revel in the idea that God listens to me, He will find me when I am in captivity and He will honor my loyalty and kindness with health and vitality.

6. What does it mean for you today to be a Christian?

In a world filled with evil and destruction there is nothing more comforting that to live as a Christ Follower. There is nothing out "there" that can pull me away from Him. Many things vie for my attention and the attention of my husband and children and that is why I stand secure in the knowledge that Christ is alive and living in me.

As a wife I have to stand each day on God's promises and rely on His strength to be the spouse He has called me to be. As a mom of two very young and impressionable minds I need His guidance to teach and impart Truth to my kids. I must be grounded in the Word so that I may raise up godly children who have the best possible tools to make decisions and choices that will affect their whole lives. Following Christ for me is not a option, something I do haphazardly. It is the core of who I am. The reason I talk, dress and behave the way I do.

7. Any last words?

There is no better way to wake up each morning than with the deep abiding joy that fills my heart. My daily goals are to grow in Christ, mature in knowledge and love with abandon. Life tries to get me down, but He is it for me.

Prayer is key. Talking to God about everything is what gets me from the early morning to the end of day. I know He hears but more importantly I know He listens.

The things of this world will most definitely pass away, but I plan to live with God forever. So let me encourage you to find time to be with God. Walk with Him, talk with Him and find out what He wants you to do today.

If you are baffled by these things, let me know. We can take the journey together.
The Truth will set you free and you will be free indeed.

"If God exists and we are made in his image we can have real meaning, and we can have real knowledge through what he has communicated to us." - Francis Schaeffer

I like that. It means something to me.