TGIF

The sun is shining, the air is warm, the birds are singing, and I am so glad it is Friday! The weekend ahead holds hope and promise of time with family, laughter with friends, extra sleep, and worship with the Lord. I'm already looking forward to 'a day of rest.'

This past week has been filled with medical appointments, a front tooth extraction, and surgery for my son. I have spent so much time leaning on Him and His strength just to make it through the days. His peace and love for me has warmed my heart and kept me sane. My only side effect of it all has been my stomach rumbling as if to say, "Okay you have held it all together but I have had enough!" It was a reminder of just how weak my flesh can be in times of trial and tribulation. It was also a reminder of life before relationship, a relationship with Jesus, my Savior and friend.

It was only a few years ago, one cold January day when I let my walls of pain, anxiety, disappointment, anger, and regret down at the altar of a small church. It was a day where I was "sick and tired of being sick and tired." It was a day when I was ready to surrender it all and see what this life of being a 'Christian' was all about.

As I approached the altar the tears were flowing. When I arrived a woman approached me and asked if I wanted to tell her what I wanted prayer for. To ashamed of my sin and struggles I shook my head no. She gently touched my head and began to pray. It was as though she were reading my mind. She prayed for peace in my mind and spirit. She prayed for relationship and trust in Him. And it was there at the altar that I cried and felt Him lift my burden, inviting me to trust Him.

Since that day my walk with the Lord has been like an amusement park roller coaster ride. It has had uphill climbs with downhill delights, twists and turns, acceleration and speed, and moments of sitting on the track while He repaired the brokeness inside me. He has showed me, especially through His written word, how to trust Him as I lift my hands in total surrender anticipating the 'ride of my life.'

The past few years have been a ride like no other. And as the week comes to a close I lift my hands and thank Him for riding with me, strapped in by my side. I cannot imagine the week without Him. Amen.

Have a blessed weekend! Kim

Him or Me?

(www.heartlight.org)


The lights were dimmed, 'smog' filled the air, a spotlight was turned on, and the voice of John the beloved began to share his story. He was telling of our Savior, Jesus, and I was on the edge of my seat!

Tonight I experienced the sights, sounds, words, and emotions of my first 'Passion Play.' The greatest miracle of all time, 'the Word became flesh,' came to life before my eyes.

The play began with the Christmas story, one of beauty, hope, and peace. Mary and Joseph, the stable, the star, and a baby lying in a manger. The baby began to grow and soon He became a man. A common looking man, dressed in a cream colored robe, walking among the village people in his bare feet. He spoke of love and kindness as he laughed, hugged, and healed those who followed him. His friends were 'common' men and women living ordinary lives. They were fishing in the sea, collecting taxes, gathering water at the well, . . . The son of God, our Messiah, was living among them, teaching them, loving them. I kept thinking to myself, "Look at him! He could have come as a wealthy, worldly king but instead our King was walking among the people in his bare feet! I soon began to wonder how I would have thought and acted two thousand years ago. Would I have taken the time to make my way through the crowd to see who Jesus was or would I have been too busy? Would I have questioned like the high priests with words such as, "Why is He with them, I'm the one who goes to church every week and reads my bible?" Or would I have sat at His feet and listened to what He came to say? And when He was physically gone would I have kept His message to myself or shared it with others?

Two thousand and eight or two thousand years ago, the choices are the same. Am I taking the time to sit at His feet and listen or am I too busy? Am I truly in relationship with Him or am I just going through the motions? And while I am waiting for His return am I doing as He commanded or am I keeping the good news all to myself?

The passion play has left me with so much to think about!

Happy Easter!


Kim Zaksek lives in NE Ohio with her husband and three children. Kim has a heart for missions and a burden to make a difference for Christ for those the world abuses, forgets, ignores or abandons. She has traveled internationally to pursue that call on her life. She also has a heart for adoption. Kim just created a new personal blog of her own at http://divingintohisgrace.blogspot.com/ If you'd like to contact Kim please find our e-mail in the profile. Thanks!