Post #2 Does He still bring you to tears?

Oh Girlfriends!

I just heard a radio program while showering that has put a reverent fear in me. I am nervous writing about it. The holy spirit has a grab of my heart.

It was a simple radio program that encourages me whenever I get a chance to hear it. It is a helpful tool for family life, hence its name FamilyLifeToday. I didn't wait to hear the website but I am sure you can google it.

Ladies, a man and woman were sharing about their married life. However, that was not what stirred me up. The man was giving his testimony of how he met the Lord. Ladies, this man was a infidel, wife abuser, and alcoholic. Short story is he went to a revival with his wife to get her off his back so to speak. A week later 2 men visited him from that church. They didn't tell him he was a sinner or call out his bad ways. They just shared how God had changed their lives to make them better husbands and fathers. They left but not before they told this man that they loved him and that is why they took the time to come see him. They gave him a new testament before leaving.

This man, who by the way is a famous former NFL football player, was moved by their love. He stated he had never had a man tell him that he loved him. He broke. He told how he went to his refridgerator and dumped out all his beer and poured out his whiskey bottles. He threw away his cigarettes. He did this the very moment they left. He started reading the Bible immediately. He read the highlighted verse of John 3:16. He told God that very moment that no matter God had for Him, his life was God's. The man was broken and in tears on the radio. It was still so fresh for him. He was expressing such gratitude. He shared how the death of Jesus on the cross was so real to him. He still held it so personal to himself..."God gave his son to die for me". Ladies, what is incredible about this man and his decision to follow Christ took place 35 years ago. He is still brought to tears in gratitude for Jesus!

I am so hurt with myself. I can't tell you when my heart was so full of gratitude for the cross that it brought me to tears. Do I take the cross and sacrifice for granted? Are my praises enough? What have I given up for Christ? Do I flippantly depend on grace? This man immediately repented...He turned from sin and dumped it down the sink. I still hang on to old sins...angry language, overeating, and who knows what else. I know we aren't perfect but have we truly "dumped" our sins and turned our back on them. Yet, that is not my true fear. I fear the lukewarmness of my heart when it comes to truly looking at my life and my unworthiness and not appreciating God given grace with the sacrifice of His son. Truly appreciating and remembering the physical pain, torture, and disgrace my Jesus suffered so I can have life eternal. It hurts my heart. Yes, my girlfriends, it has brought me to tears this day.

I am emptied of pride and self accomplishment. I am nothing without my God. He is the great I am. I am His and I am grateful this morning. Does He still bring you to tears?