Setting an Example

I love it when God talks to me because I get filled with a joy that is unexplained and my eyes well up with tears.  Don't you enjoy sitting with a friend that you can laugh and talk with about anything?  Jesus and I had a great conversation today.
I was traveling down a four lane highway and just ahead was a Florida Highway Patrol car sitting on the right side of the road. I automatically look down at my speedometer and tapping on my breaks without even noticing the speed I was traveling. It was an instant reaction. Do you ever have one of those moments?
The question  that came to my mind at that moment was "am I setting an example?" On the front doors of my van are magnet signs for 91.3 Hope FM. Within a few moments I was transported back to the night before when a gentleman from our Celebrate Recovery group was leading. I have witnessed this young man change from the inside out and it filled my heart with joy and eyes with tears to see him lead the group last night. Before we adjourned to our cars, he stopped me to ask if he did alright in leading and shared his enjoyment in doing so. I feel like a proud parent. I am truly proud of this young man and the u-turn he has made in his life. He even mentioned how he desires to start his own ministry. I want to share that a young woman has been working hard at getting her children back and did. She went above and beyond what the legal system asked her to do. She knows God loves her children more than she does, but also knows He is as close as a brother. I can't wait to hear how she is doing as she moved out of the area to care for her children in a better environment.
The Lord showed me within those few moments how I have led by example. I was once lost in my ways of the world, partying all the time, dependent on others, and more. Now I am leading others into the fullness of who they are in Christ. WOW!
I give praise and glory to God for pulling me out of my pits, allowing  me the opportunity to help others out of theirs and the courage to pass on the torch.

I want to encourage you today that if you are in a season of change, know that it won't last a lifetime. God has great plans for your life and you just might be going through it in order to help someone else. It is difficult to trust in what you cannot see, but when you push through the unknown everything is brought to light. It is then you look back and say "so that is why I had to go through the mud."

~Be encouraged your praise has meaning at all times