A few weeks ago, I swerved my car into the parking lot adjacent to the Chick Fil A restaurant six miles from my country house and glanced at my watch, so glad that I was on time. I knew we’d only have a few minutes. Most of the parking lot at the restaurant had already been roped off and overtaken with a stage, large speakers and lights. Fold out chairs were set in rows facing the platform but I know a little about the spiritual side of Houston and that most of those listeners would only sit in those chairs until the first note. Then they’d be up on their feet. This is a hot, sweaty, some-might-even-say-homely town in a lot of ways but it is a fair and lovely place to those who love Jesus. Maybe one of the reasons is that our area is home to a really fabulous, award-winning Christian contemporary radio station – KSBJ, 89.3 FM – that serves as a central station for unity, that turns up the volume on worship and still fights harder to win souls than awards. They host something called “Brown Bag Concerts” throughout the year where they bring in various CCM artists to do concerts at different Chick Fil A restaurants around the city. (I feel so sorry for you – truly I do – if you do not live where there is a Chick Fil A or, worse yet, if you have no idea what one is. Move.)
That day the artist going up on stage was Christy Nockels. My pastor of 25 years, John Bisagno, used to say, “All people bring gifts to the church. Some people are gifts to the church.” Christy would be one of those. A year or so ago (not sure how long it’s been), we invited her to one of our LPM Tuesday night community Bible studies. As I sat to the side and watched the women packed in that sanctuary and the aisles, lifting their faces throne-ward, many of them with their eyes closed and their hands raised, and listened to their voices in almost perfect pitch with hers, I had a revelation of sorts. I realized that in so many ways, Christy is to this generation what Amy Grant was to mine. She helps place words on the tongues of true worshipers who want so much to express themselves to God but don’t always know how to say what they feel. That makes a person a gift.
As I got out of my car and headed across to Chick Fil A, I spied my two friends, Christy and Nathan, and they were grinning at me just like I was grinning at them. We hugged then headed into the small RV so we could chat a little while. Mike McCloskey, who was managing the evening for them, asked me if I wanted anything from the restaurant while we were visiting and, of course, I did. “Nuggets and an Ice Dream? Oh, and Polynesian Sauce?” And in minutes, I had them. While I spooned Ice Dream into my mouth (always spoon down, for some reason), we conversed quickly like a couple of people on borrowed time. We talked mostly about their kids, my kids, and my grandkids, and did a bit of musing about Passion 2012 and had some wild thoughts about Passion 2013. We got out pictures on our iPhones and even watched a video their son Noah had created. (Actually, it was astonishingly impressive. But I guess his gene pool is nothing to whine about, now is it?)
Mike reminded them about the time and Christy glanced over at me and said, “Hey, Beth, do you care if we rehearse one song really quickly?”
“Absolutely not. Please, do!”
And so I sat right there on the couch in that RV, six inches from Christy to my right and Nathan across from us, leaning in with his guitar. We were all three crouched in about 4 square feet. And I listened to a song I’d never heard from a voice truly as beautiful as any I’ve ever heard. The album is out now so you may well have already heard it but I really need you to join me in the intimacy – no, the strange sanctity, really – of that small RV and hear it again. With nobody else listening. Just you. Just the voice singing. Just that guitar. And Jesus.
“I’m so concerned with what I look like from the outside.
Will I blossom into what You hope I’ll be.
Yet You’re so patient just to help me see.
The blooms come from a deeper seed that You planted in me.
Sometimes it’s hard to grow when everybody’s watching.
To have your heart pruned by the one who knows best.
And though I’m bare and cold, I know my season’s coming.
And I’ll spring up in Your endless faithfulness.
With my roots deep in You, I’ll grow the branch that bears the fruit.
And though I’m small, I’ll still be standing in the storm.
‘Cause I am planted by the river by Your streams of living water.
And I’ll grow up strong and beautiful, all for Your splendor, Lord.
So with my arms stretched out, I’m swaying to Your heartbeat.
I’m growing with the sound of Your voice calling.
You’re bringing out the beauty that You have put in me.
For Your joy and for Your glory falling.”
Written by Christy Nockels and Nathan Nockels, Copyright 2012 sixsteps Music/worshiptogether.com Songs/Sweater Weather Music (ASCAP) (Admin. at EMICMGPublishing.com)
As that melody floated in the air, I pictured Annabeth running down the path from my house to Big Pops and Memmaw’s, sunlight dancing in her dark honey hair. I pictured Amanda and Melissa, each of them growing up before my eyes in Christ. So, so different from the other, just the way they’ve always been, but equally breathtaking. My mind cased across the faces of so many women I’ve seen, faces reflecting the light bouncing from an open page of Scripture. Oh, now, you know I love our brothers. But I’m not called so much to our brothers. I’m called mostly to sisters. And somehow the lyrics touched me in a deep place for all of us. Deep enough that I’ve thought of it every day since then and played it many times in the same car I pulled into that parking lot. Now I know it almost by heart. But that day I knew it more by faith. More by growing experience.
I want to say to you today that I watch many of you fight this good fight, trying to keep your equilibrium in this crazy culture where – for the most part – a woman is as desirable as she is sensual. Or, on the other side of the spectrum, she’s as valuable as she is marketable. I want to cheer you on and say to you, Good Job! And Don’t Give Up! And don’t forget, no matter what this world tells you, that the most gorgeous blooms come from a deeper seed. The lyrics ring so true. “It’s hard to grow up when everybody’s watching.” And sometimes God lets others behold the pruning process in us when we’d just as soon have done it in private. But He always knows what He’s doing. And He is only doing you good. Never evil. Never harm. He cannot be unbiased toward you. The blood of His Son flows through your veins. Even through the silence He is talking. Even in the stillness, He is moving. He is hemming you in. He is closing in on you to open you up to Him.
All that you are going through, all that you are learning, is bringing out the beauty that He has put in you. And some of those same folks who watched the pruning will see the blooming.
I just want you to know that I already see it happening. And others already see it, too. And if you’d look really close, not into your rear view mirror, but into His Word, I think you could even catch a glimpse of it.
You get more beautiful by the day, Darling Child. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t decide it can’t matter all that much. “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Hebrews 6:10) He will see to you until you are stunning for His splendor.
I know your season’s coming.
PS. I totally forgot until this morning (Tuesday) that we snapped this picture that day in the RV on my iPhone. If you’re like me, you love pictures in blog posts. If you’re not like those of us who do, stop reading now. Laughing. Man, I so love you guys.
Thank u so much, beautiful and very encouraging, I have miss your voice, I was thinking that today, so this post speaks confirmation in so many ways, blessings to you dear Beth.
PS/ What is an ice dream?
Thanks Beth so needed we wait for a judge to sentence our grandson on a murder conviction drug related so hard walking thru this season, so much hurt, so much public display, but God is faithful walking with us filling and surrounding us with HIS peace, love and yes even Joy. HE is sooo good we just have to make a effort see and know it by His WORD. Love you this again
Beth -thank you so much for this!!! God’s timing through you is amazing!
How strangely timely….
Just this morning I woke up with a Watermark phrase running through my head….”the more I get alone the more I see I need to get alone more” (“Still”, one of my favorites).
Christy Nockels has a voice like no other, and her music has been the spiritual soundtrack to my walk to freedom with the Lord.
Thank you, Miss Beth. YOU are a gift to the church, no doubt. I needed to hear your sweet encouragement today.
so beautiful! thanks!
Thank you for sharing that song. I haven’t heard it yet, but the line “It’s hard to grow up when everybody’s watching” definitely rings true in me, a classic introvert far from home and family, married to a very well-loved (super-extrovert) minister, trying to figure out what exactly He wants from me each day of this sweet station in life, mothering my 3 sweet babies. (Wow! What a run-on! But I don’t have time to fix it right now… supper time!)
Thank you so much for posting that today, Beth. The last couple of days have been a little rough for me. Sometimes I’m so insecure I wonder if I ever left high school. lol God knew that I needed to read the beautiful insight you had to share today.
Wow! Thank you for your encouragement. I so appreciate the authenticity of that first line in Christy’s song! We have been embraced in prayers by our church this past year- a year of unemployment and searching,not just for a job, but for our purpose. We have felt both the wonderful support of Christian friends as well as the aching quietness of waiting. My man starts a new job soon, and we are grateful, but still feel as though we are walking a dark path of faith, as many of our prayers for purpose still remain unanswered. We believed for a great victory for our family, but feel now that perhaps our belief was vain expectation. How do we believe for big , impossible things without getting wrapped up in them? We are longing to know His purpose, but in the end feel like we must’ve thought higher of ourselves then He does.
You just had to say Chick-Fil-A didn’t you!!!! I live in Western New York – probably the only state in the Union that does not have one. Just last week I ended five and a half years of eating a vegan diet. I could really use some nuggets and waffle fries to celebrate. My closet hopes to getting some is in August when our family vacations in Florida. (I’ve been known to travel between terminals in the Atlanta airport with my nephews just to get some Chick-Fil-A…. Last year in Florida my nephew’s dream came true when we got the 50 piece platter for the family lunch one day.)
Your post reminded me what my heart yearns for – I just want people to see Jesus in me and to live out my life and be used as He intended my life to be.
Thank you! Much needed today…
Dearest Beth. Thank you for writing this post to me today; for surely you did. He has been saying this to me lately; I have not believed Him. He has been trying to show me this lately; I have ignored Him. So He has been silent lately; and that is when I so desperately want to hear from Him. And I did. Today through you.
I love you!
Sooz
1. I LOVE Watermark/Christy Nockles!!
2. I am 26, and I also LOVE Amy Grant. She was the first singer that I liked and my dad took me to all of her concerts in our town.
I can’t wait to get the new CD from Christy, this song sounds amazing.
Thank you for listening to Him and sharing this with us today and encouraging us. I’m at a loss for words as to how much I hear Him answering my cries in this post.
On a completely unspiritual matter WHAT is an ice dream from Chick Fil A???? Please share. I love some chick fil a and have never heard of this.
Mama Beth
God has given u such a gift of love to b able to encourage and strengthen the ladies He has called u to serve. Thank u for being such a faithful, godly mentor and leader.
pray for u and ur family often!
Blessings to u today for ur word!
Beth, Thank you so much for posting and God thank you for nudging me here today. I am a pastor’s wife who lost my husband to sin and to prison last year. I am being pruned still. I thank God for His words He speaks thru u to us. He speaks to me often thru you. Thank you for the words to the song and a new artist to listen to.
I read today in Ps. 97:11 that “light is sown for the righteous.” I think it is proof that God’s plan for our future is full of the goodness of his love. He plans ahead for a harvest of light! Christy Nockels songs are like that. Light into possibly dark places.
we’ll now that just made me cry-amen
This post is so timely. Thank you Beth.
On a slightly different note. It is funny that you mentioned KSBJ. A little over a month ago my daughter and I went looking for a christain radio station to listen to on line and we came across KSBJ. We live in southeastern AZ or fly over country as we refer to it. We like to live here so don’t get me wrong there. Anyway we do get a few christian radio stations, which we are grateful for. It is just that they are mostly talking and we can’t get them in the house. Anyway KSBJ has become my favorite one to listen to. So seeing that mentioned in your post just tickled me and I thought I would mention it.
Texted the lines about Chick Fil A to Dan Cathy, President and COO of Chick Fil A, earlier today to let him know that Ms. Beth is a raving fan. Turns out he’s a raving fan of Ms. Beth’s! He asked if I’d pass his cell phone number on to y’all, which I left on Diane’s voicemail tonight. Hoping the two “mutual fans” can connect! Appreciate the precious post – Love, grace and peace to you all
I remember some time ago there was a great post on this blog about the Cathys, and also one from the time Chik-Fil-A visited LPM. There was even a photo (I think) of the LPM staff with the Chik-Fil-A mascot cow! Isn’t it cool that Mr. Cathy is a fan of Siesta Mama Beth too?
Adrienne
Adrienne,
That’s pretty cool! I must have missed that blog entry- My parents have known Mr. Truett and Ms. Jean for years. Mom actually grew up across the street from the original Dwarf House where Chil Fil A was born so my family has a LONG history with them and the restaurants. Mr. Dan and I met when I worked on his tech team for a CFA event not long ago. He gave us all his cell phone number so we could let him know about receiving “second mile service” (based on Matthew 5:41) or if we encountered any “raving fans”. It was my pleasure to let him know about Ms. Beth! He’s a good man and I believe he and Ms. Beth share an important quality that I hold dear – a deep humility that keeps them continually surprised at the mighty ways the Lord uses them.
Take care precious!!
Kelli – How cool that you and your family have such a history with Chik-Fil-A! Everything I have heard about the Cathys has impressed me; they truly are role models for how to operate a business. There is not a Chik-Fil-A in the small town where I live, but happily there are several in Chattanooga, which I frequent often.
Blessings,
Adrienne
It’s great to hear from you Beth and thank you for sharing the lyrics of truth to encourage me and I’ll bet sooooo many others!! I was just thinking today, actually hoping…that you will consider taking us through another year (2013) of scripture memorization. I had planned on doing it on my own…but, it got away from me. I continue to recite my 2011 verses and value the wisdom they bring to my daily life. You…sweet Beth…are truly one of those “gifts” you spoke of in Christy!!
Wow. I was going to write “if you only knew how much I needed to hear that” but then I stopped myself because I have a hunch you do know. And I thank you.
Thank you. Your words were much needed today.
Sweet, sweet words falling on open ears and this heart that needed to be reminded. Praise the Lord for your timing and insight. I don”t know how I would get through the days without our Christian artists and Christian Radio. Words from them through my car radio and my iphone as I take my long walks do so much for heart. They lift me up and reassure me of my place in His world.
Just thank you.
I took a break from writing a paper over spiritual formation for my college psych class and found this. It hit me like a ton of bricks, because sometimes (like today), the roughness of school just seems too much.
But it’s His story in me, not my own. You reminded me of that.
I needed this so much today. Feeling betrayed and heavy hearted over something someone in authority over me at work did today. Trying to remember that God can even use someone like that to refine me. I want it to purify me and not make me putrid! Thank you.
I so love Christy’s album and this song. Your word was like a balm to my soul! I so need it tonight. Thank you for your faithfulness to tell stories that let me climb into the car, drive into the parking lot and sit right with you listening to Christy and Nathan in the RV! Such an incredible gift. Thank you for sharing.
Midge
Beth,
Don’t you just love her song called “Elliana?” It is so beautiful especially thinking about Annabeth while you listen to it!
“Baby woman, tiny in stature now
But your heart is a treasure
Little princess come follow behind me now
I am reaching for you
(chorus)
Elliana, God has answered my prayers
Elliana, God will conquer my fears
To mother a daughter, to look you in the eye
To know that I had everything, to walk with you in life
To give you to Jesus that He would impart
The wisdom that I’m longing for to mother your heart
Elliana, God has answered my prayers
There will be others to lead and to guide you girl
But only one you’ll call Mother, the honor is all mine
To show you what a woman’s like
I’m so glad you’re mine
(chorus)
Tenderness of God is twirling around
In our living room tonight
Lighten up your daddy’s eyes
And know that he just wants to freeze you in time”
(chorus)
So powerful to reflect on these words as Mother’s day approaches!!
We have Chick Fil A but it’s in a mall food court and they have never had a concert…how blessed you are to have them at “your” Chick Fil A!!! Thanks for sharing the experience and the lyrics!!
Oh, Beth, thank you SO much for doing what you are so gifted to do – encourage women in the unique way that God has blessed you to do it. I needed this encouragement. Thank you. And Thank You, Lord Jesus.
Oh me.
Wow! Thanks, Beth! Your words were like a fresh wind on a warm day and sweet water for a parched throat. Especially as just yesterday I discovered Christy Nockels and early this morning I downloaded her newest album. I teach a small group of women (53) at our church and usually feel as if God prunes and prunes me through the process. I often feel like the hours spent preparing, praying, loving them, studying and listening to His leading don’t really matter. Sometimes I wonder why I am working so hard. Then you bring to light Hebrews 6:10! Whoa! It gives me hope and helps me know that what I do, no matter how small, is making me beautiful in His eyes. Thanks too for your teaching in Kansas City. It set my feet back on solid ground. It encouraged me to dive back into a deeper prayer life and I have been memorizing Scripture again. I love you!
You are such a blessing to our Wednesday group. I appreciate all that God does through you. Do everything for the glory of God!
Are you sure? Even in the silence He is talking? Please say yes! He’s been silent for so long that I’m starting to wonder. I think He’s forgotten me! I know in my head He hasn’t, but it really, really feels like it. I feel broken and abandoned and I sure hope He speaks up soon!
Thanks for your encouraging words, Beth. They really do mean a lot.
So thankful for your words this evening. Letting others see my struggles has always been something I’ve avoided but the last 5 months it has become know to more people what I am going through. My husband of 28 yrs walked out and has ssaid he isn’t coming back. The church will be brought in soon and everyone will know. I always thought this would be the worst thing in the world but am at a place now where I am ready for more people praying for me. God has been good and I’ve learned that he alone is the one I can depend on. I still don’t know what the future holds, I only work part time, the same place he works so that will have to change. I don’t really have skills for the workforce and issues that keep me from being on my feet for very long. Even with all of this I am so thankful for the Grace I receive everyday. I have only gotten through the last 5 months with God’s strength because I’m a mess on my own. Thank you for the reminder that God has a plan in our sorrow, and the reminder that his good will come out of it, maybe for others who are watching.
Thank you for this, Beth. i’m sure you knew when God gave you this message that it was timely for many of us..our church is going through a pruning right now, and I needed this reminder that the fruit that results from this is always better than the fruit before, for His glory. So thankful that He considers us worthy of His attention.
please join me in praying that we all will submit to his shears,.and remain in the Vine.
With tears streaming down my face, I thank you for that encouragement…so needed and so precious. You touched on everything going on in my heart! Praise you, Father, through our Siesta Momma!!!
I SO needed to read this today. Thank you, Beth, for listening to & obeying the Holy Spirits prompting. You have ministered to me in an indescribable way this evening.
Thanks for sharing! Thought about my spitrual life this morning and how much it has growed. I was awaken at 5 am this morning with this song on my mind! Something beautiful Somethng Good! With all my confusion God understood. He made something beautiful out my life!
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Just what I needed. Thank you for allowing God to use you for His Glory.
Cindy
Thank you so much for this, Beth. It’s so beautiful I just cried. I really needed to hear when you said: “He cannot be unbiased toward you. The blood of His Son flows through your veins” I will pocket that picture. And I downloaded Christy’s song. God bless you!!
So grateful for you, Beth!!! You cannot IMAGINE what our Heavenly Father is doing through you, to minister to us ladies who love the Lord. I praise Him for your faithfulness to this calling….I, myself, have been so blessed by you.
I wake up every morning to Christie’s “And They Will Know Us By Our Love”……sweetest song and voice to wake up to…..
Praise Him! Praise Him!
I have been in a season of deep struggle…just having a really hard time with the why’s of tragic events like my best friend’s son dying so young in Jan. God is so good, and yet life can be so hard. He’s been telling me to surrender everything. Psalm 1 says that if I meditate on His Word I’ll be like a tree planted by the river…strong and healthy. I have no idea how to surrender everything, but I’m trying so hard to trust His guidance and sometimes silence, wondering if I’m ever going to be all he desires for me. This post has me in tears….I so needed your encouragement to keep going and trusting…so I can help spred His love and peac and hope. Thank you so much for lifting up a fellow sister in the Lord. Bless you, Beth. Much love.
Such sweet words after a long day, thank you so much!
karen:)
You get more beautiful every day, too, Beth. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Beth. I will never erase this post from my phone. It was as if my loving Father whispered these words lovingly in my ear. My heart! I will keep this post with me close by to read and re-read until God causes me “to spring up into His faithfulness.” Four years of pruning. I lost everything except my way to His presence. This encouragement is so treasured.
Beth,
I have never heard this song but the lyrics themselves are more than enough for me. I wrote a blog in response to how God has worked through me. It was the positive side of the work that was done that I wrote about. I have been compelled to tell the other side that was the pruning. Thank you for the opportunity and the encouragement through this blog. The short of the positive side is God provided all things necessary for me to fly down to TX last November and pick up my niece from the hospital the day she was born. Her mother, my sister in law, was in prison when she gave birth to her.
Now to the pruning part. There was a past of hurt between us that directly dealt with children. I struggled for three years to have my youngest son. I had five miscarriages in one year. She was able to get pregnagnt and would make choices that I 100 percent was not in agreement with. I held resent for to long. She had no idea of this. God moved me shortly before she went got pregnant and went to prison to go to her and ask her forgiveness. We put it in the past and moved forward.
I can see know His timing is so incredible perfect. When she told me she was pregnant and that she would have to go back to prison (she was out on bail and took a plea of three years)I was floored! I said “please tell me that you want this baby”. She said ” Yes I do!” When she asked me if I would come get the baby and take care of her until she was released I was more than floored!! I’m not usually quick to make a decision, especially of this magnitude, without prayer and of course consulting with my husband. That is why when the words “well of course, yes I will” came out of my mouth I had floored myself! What was I saying, this was all happening so fast. I did pray for two months after this and my husband prayed for three. We were obedient to God and agreed to do this. My husband had the idea that this was what “I” wanted to do. I said let me assure you that I did not WANT to do this. I was scared to death at the entire thing. I am a mother of three so it wasn’t that part. I LOVE babies so it wasn’t that part. It was all of the other stuff. Flying from PA to TX by myself, picking up a two day old newborn, flying back, the custody part, the paperwork, then more in PA when I got back, and that was just TWO DAYS! How would I not get so attached that it wouldn’t break my heart in two when I had to give her back to her Momma? How long would I have her? How would my children respond to her arrival and departure? How was I going to do this? I couldn’t! The only way this was gonna happen is if God did it because there was NO WAY I could pull this off!
I let HIM have complete control. I cried to Him when I needed to. I praised Him when things were good and when things were confusing. I thanked Him for this chance to grow closer to Him in such an intiment way. This was not a private growing experience for me. It seemed that for what ever reason God wanted me to share it with almost everyone in my life and then some. Usually I love to talk and share but this was not one of them. It was incredibly hard for me to do. It was hard to except peoples responses. The only response I could say was “It was not me who could do this, but the power of Christ I’m me”. It touched so many in our church and community that I was in awe of what God had done through me. People were reaching out to me and to each other. They were evaluating them selves and where they stood in there obedience to follow Him where ever He asked them to go. It caused so much spiritual growth. Just one act of obedience by one person to follow. I cannot even begin to imagine if everyone did this what it would look like. Just one act of obedience. It makes me humble my self before Him over everything I do. It has profoundly changed me and I can’t wait for the next time I get to draw even closer to my Savior, my Father, my Teacher and my God!
I will never know the full extent of the ministry that came out of this but I do know this that it was ALL TO HIS GLORY AND FOR HIS NAME SAKE. I believe that there is more to this for me. He has something else for me to do that this xperience has equipped me for. The path is daunting at times but I know I am not alone. So what ever it is I will humble myself in obedience and serve my God and King.
PS While all of this was happening I was in a womens Bile Study, Life Interupted. It’s a God thing!
PSS My sister in law and I are closer than ever. She attends Church with me and got to meet all of my Bible Study sisters that were all directly impacted by her and my story. Oh yea, Jaycee is very much in my life and I get to see her at least once a week. Also a God thing! Praise the Lord for He truly does reward our obedience.
The Spirit burns within me as I read your post today – I am such a woman who is desiring Jesus more everyday and feasting on His Word. I am seeing the gradual opening of a new bloom inside of me from the seed which He has planted. Praise be to God for your heart, your encouragement, your tender care and your example of a Spirit filled, abundant life!
Much Love
God hasn’t forgotten about me? I hope so, I really, really hope so.
Dear Siesta Mama….thanks. Just finished Breaking Free Bible Study at my church. Part of what struck me in the Study and in the Song were the lines about being planted with deep roots, by His river….and that I can be a strong tree for Him. Something I’m trying to do instead of living in fear.
And I got a “kick” out of the line about being small,but still standing in the storm ’cause I’m 4’11” on a good day….But part of my commitment from the Study is to stand tall for Him.
I feel like God has given me confirmation I’m on the right track through your post today…
Bless you
Thank you for the encouragement. needed it tonight.
Thank you for the invite to move in 😀
…Well some of us Canadians can’t just up and come to Texas, and since it was suggested to move….oh you didn’t mean in with you? 😉
I believe I saw a previous post of a Chick-Fil-A …never seen in person, nor tasted 🙁
Sounds like it was a definate GOD moment – right between the music and the notes! GOD does clever things when we look!
I will have to check my local Christian bookstore …see if they have any of Christy’s cds.
Love your blogs! and thanks! 🙂
Beth,
I just wanted you to know, over the last 7 years, I have done I think 12 of your studies. As you have allowed God to speak through you, you have helped me seek God to get through many tough things,some of them are things we have in common, some not. I am so thankful for your obedience, for your sold out dedication to Jesus, and the example it sets for me, the benchmark I see more clearly and the increased desire I have to obey. I want you to know your name is on my prayer list, and you are prayed for regularly around here. May you be richly blessed as you continue to pursue the path God calls you to and thank you from the bottom of my heart.