oh to be excited for Jesus...

Well, not a lot to say, I've been thinking a lot though.  I have a friend who has just recently been saved.  She just posted her testimony on her blog (which I've heard quite a few times in the last few months and could listen to a thousand more times easily).  She's such an inspiration to me.  I've been a christian for a LONG TIME, like since I was 5!  There's no doubt that I was saved then, I can remember the exact place and circumstances; but It's amazing how much of being a christian becomes daily routine if you're not careful, especially if you've been "doing it" since you were 5!  I think that when you become a christian later in life it's so much more "exciting".  Now, saying that I will also say that I pray for my children to have, what our student pastor calls, a boring testimony; but I also have decided that I want to inspire them to continually be excited about being a christian.  I want them to have the feeling my friend has had, and in turn has taught me to have, all the time for Jesus!  I pray that they never get bored, stuck in the routine; but that they are constantly renewed and refreshed with excitement for Jesus!  I mean, the joy on my friends face every time I see her and the excitement in her voice every time I talk to her makes me constantly think, "Am I that excited for Jesus?  Do I exude that joy and excitement to my friends, or even strangers for that matter?"  It has become my desire, my passion, to try desperately for that.  I must honestly say, it's not easy, especially when I'm at home.  I lose patience with my kids and immediately that joy and excitement turns to yelling and chaos.  I pray daily for Christ to give me patience, to keep me slow to anger, to shine thru me like none other so that people only see Him, not the sinful, impatient, irritated, tired mom/wife I feel like!  How am I gonna inspire my children to be joyful and excited for Jesus if all I do is yell at them?  I know that this journey could not/cannot happen without Christ leading me.  I know that I am "only human" but I'm starting to think that that's not a good enough excuse, because God is so much bigger than that!  I know that I'm not perfect but being perfected.  He will use every mistake I make to teach me and transform me, but saying "I'm only human" gives me an excuse and I don't want an excuse.  I want there to be God in my life and only God, and I want everyone else to see Him without me saying a word.  I want to be joyful and excited for Jesus, always!

I love you Allison, my new sister in Christ!  Thank you so much for your joy and excitement for Jesus and for the inspiration you are to me!

(Well, I thought not a lot to say.  It's just what's been on my mind!)