What I Love About Sunday

Encouragement From MeLinda Ann

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Hi y’all,  Welcome! Come sit with me for a minute today…

Episode 1:

Slow down and take a deep breath in. Smell the sweet honey suckle and jasmine in the warm, gentle breeze as it blows across your skin. Ahhh. Life is good here. Life is slow and easy. Feel the sunshine warming up the day. Hi, there you are, Im so glad you’re here.

Take a moment and head over to YouTube and listen to this song: What I Love About Sunday by Craig Morgan. Then come back to finish reading.

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Great song, isn’t it? When I was coming up with a name for this blog nothing seem to fit. Then the title of that song randomly popped in my head. I hadn’t heard it in a long time.  But every time I hear it, it transports me to another place and time.  I suppose you could say it’s my happy place.  I imagine a porch swing similar to the picture above. My reality and this dream place are so very different. The distance between where I’m at and where I want to be seems impossible to cross at times. Most days, I can’t see the bridge that leads from here to there. But when I hear this song, I am reminded of where I’m headed. And I’m encouraged to keep going, one step at a time, one day at a time.

I created my very first blog last week. I was excited, but I didn’t quite understand its purpose yet. So, I shared a testimony. But as the days went on, as I listened to the song, I realized that this blog is the bridge from here to there. When I come to this page, I can transport to that porch swing somewhere in the country. Surrounded by open space and fresh air. There is no where to be at this moment, but right here with you. Maybe I’m drinking coffee, or water, or nothing. Depends on the day.  I walk out the wooden screen door and hear it slam behind me. I walk over to the swing, sit down, and smile. I see you walking up the steps, and then you sit next to me. It takes only a moment for us to swing in rhythm at the right speed for both of us.

Hi friend. How’s your week been? Did you make it to church today? Hmm, still haven’t found one that feels like home? That’s too bad, I’m still praying for you to find a place that feels like home. I encourage you to keep looking because it’s out there. In the meantime, I’m happy to keep you in touch with the Lord. My favorite scripture verse is Roman’s 12:2. Do not conform to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test the will of God – His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

I don’t want to preach to you, I just wanted to share my favorite verse with you. But I do hope that it makes you curious. I hope that you’ll open your Bible or Bible app and want to know more.

Hmm. I always feel a sense of peace come over me as I read my Bible. Even when I don’t fully understand what I’m reading. I suppose that I trust that someday I will understand.

Today was my Sunday to preach. Our tiny congregation is blessed to have 3 pastors, and Im one of them. Today, I did something different. For the first time in my 4 year ministry, I allowed the Holy Spirit to provide the message on the spot. Usually, I like to be prepared with my thoughts written down. Not today. The thing is that I don’t know how anyone perceived it, but for once, I am okay with that. Since God called me to preach in 2021, I have been hung up on “bearing good fruit.” I thought that without fruit, then I had no proof that I was doing what God called me to do. However, the closer I walk with Jesus, the more I understand that answering God’s call is more about my personal relationship with Him than it is whether I lead others to believe. I believe this is true for every one of us. I don’t know what talent or special ability God has given you, but I know that you’ll know what it is by the way you feel about it. For me, it’s writing. Every time I sit down to write, I feel a divine connection between me and God. The best way to describe this connrction is complete peace, vulnerability,  and safety. There is more, but I’m struggling to put it into words. It is something that you love to do. Something that is never a burden, no matter how much you do it or for whom you do it. We all know how people often take advantage of each other’s special abities. That’s why our world is consumed with the entertainment industry. As Christians, we are called to use our abilities for the greater good. Not for personal gain or notariety. But as we realize our special abilities and step out in faith to share it, we become exposed to the applause (and criticism) of others. If we consider their opinions as proof of bearing good fruit, then we will always be disappointed and unsure of ourselves. This is why sharing our gifts is more about our personal relationship with Jesus than about whether people approve or not.

Friend, I hope that our time together has blessed you in some way. I know that I am surely blessed by your presence. Thank you for visiting with me today. Until next time, may the good Lord bless you and keep you. 💜

What I Love About Sunday – Craig Morgan