Reality Check

Philippians 2:14

"For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing;" 

When I opened my email the other day and saw that it was from my editor, I was excited and curious at the same time. I new that it would be this weeks story budget and it would have the article that I was assigned to write. Unfortunately, after I opened it, my curiosity diminished and my excitement flew off a cliff as I noticed the specific assignment set aside for me. "Prayer Center."

I was so frustrated. My initial thought was that I was being punished for the poor job that I had done last week on an article and this was their way of letting me know they were disappointed. I was on a role. I had some of the most exciting articles assigned to me and now they choose to give me an article on the Prayer Center? Don't get me wrong, I totally respect what the Prayer Center does, but I just didn't see the need to write an article on something that didn't have any new or exciting information to bring to our Campus. Well, I was wrong. Dead wrong. 

Guys, let me just tell you about the spiritual slap in the face, if you will, that I received the day I went to interview the Campus Pastor of the Prayer Center. It's condemning, moving and crazy awesome all wrapped up in one little reality check of a blanket. (I'm totally aware of how corny that last sentence was hehe). 

#AintNobodyGotTimeForThat

So to start the whole thing off, I had to wake up at 7:00--if you know me, you know that waking up that early is basically the end of the world for me--to be at his office by 8:15 for an 8:30 interview. I didn't even have to motivation to match my shoes to the cute, purple business-like shirt I was wearing. I complained, I mumbled under my breath and I was even selfish enough to make Ricky wake up with me so that I wouldn't have to see him looking all comfortable and warm in our bed. (I know, so rude!) 

#realitycheck

Thankfully my parents taught me well enough during the 18 years I lived at home to know how to behave professionally in front of adults and to respect my "elders". I ceased my complaining and mumbling and approached the mans office door at 8:15 on-the-dot. The moment he answered the door, literally the exact moment, I felt a sense of calm rush over me. I didn't feel angry anymore, which to be honest, was a bit odd since I was beyond angry about the particular assignment. 

What happened after I walked into his office seems so clear to me now. I could feel the presence of the Lord and I could tell by the kindness that this pastor showed me, that God was evident and He was going to stir something within me that would allow me to grow in Him. 

This man, right from the start, wanted to know about me. He wanted to know how I was doing, he asked how things were going as a newlywed, he asked about my relationship with God. It was as if the words he was speaking were coming directly from God. How else would he have known exactly what to say to me to ease my mind of all the things I was going through/struggling with. 

Before I knew it, I was telling him what I called at the time "my life story", which really was just a shortened version of the issues I've been dealing with over the last couple of months. I don't even think I realized I was crying until I looked down and saw the crumpled up tissues in my hands. To some of you, this may seem totally inappropriate and should warrant a bad grade on my part for not immediately jumping into the story I was assigned. But to the pastor, it was his job. It was what he did everyday, and what he loved to do everyday. To the Lord, it was a time for me to open up about what was happening to someone who was equipped and prepared for it. And to me, well to me it was a growing experience. It was a reality check and it was a blessing in disguise. I was so mad that I was given such a "crappy assignment" when all along it was to be the best one I've had since I started writing for the Champion. 

I did eventually get to the interview, and I would honestly say that because of the talk we had just minutes before, it allowed for me to be more optimistic about the assignment and actually do well on it. I cared about the piece I was writing and I wanted to do it justice. 

The Lord used this article for my benefit and If I had only trusted him in the first place instead of questioning "why?", maybe I could have saved myself a lot of angry early mornings as well as saved Ricky some extra hours of sleep!

#LibertyChampion

In case any of you wanted to see the specific article that I'm referring to, you can check it out at this website: Liberty Champion