Fall With My Favorites

I love the Fall. If there was one thing that I missed, other than family and friends, while we lived on Saba, it was the change of the seasons. We left Tennessee for our new Caribbean home in the middle of a Tennessee hot and humid Summer. August melted into September. September melted into October. Then October melted into November. No cooler temperatures. No crisp Autumn smell in the air. No football games to tailgate. No multi-colored trees. The true Tennessee Fall of 2001 is one of which I have no memory.

This time of year continues to be my favorite. My eyes love the changing tree colors.  My arms love the feel of my favorite sweatshirt. My nose loves the smells of campfires and toasted marshmallows. Football fills my Saturdays. Cups of hot coffee fill my hands throughout the day. And the knowledge that my Creator could only orchestrate such a miracle as the changing of the seasons fills my soul with comfort.

Through the years, this time of year has brought about new and different things for our little family. A few years ago in our church family, Michael and I were asked to consider teaching the college age class together one Fall. We accepted the challenge. And somehow in someway, it has become a tradition...Michael and Aletha Thomas teach the college class each Fall at the Woodbury Church of Christ. And somehow in someway, it has become one of my favorite things of the Fall. The people that fill and have filled this class are some of my favorites. (Go ahead and chuckle, college age friends.)

We've studied specific books of the Bible. We have read and studied the newest and latest from some of the best Christian authors. We've split and done guys and girls studies. We have served together and played together. We have laughed and cried together. But most importantly, we have grown closer to God together.

This Fall has been no different. Michael is leading the class and we are partnering with our friends, John and Amie, in facilitating "The White Board Bible Study". In the curriculum, we begin in the beginning, with Creation. And we march through the entire Bible, not just picking out certain people and stories to study, but fitting all the pieces together. This study teaches how the "stories" of the Bible are all part of God's big story. You can't have Abraham without having Noah. You can't have David without Ruth. You can't have Jesus without Adam.

This past Sunday we finished a section dedicated to the Exodus. So we have seen the story line of many famous Old Testament characters. Adam and Eve. Cain and Abel. Noah. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joseph. The Children of Israel. Moses.

These folks have taught me wonderful Godly character traits through the years. True intimacy with the Father in Adam and Eve. The importance of worship in Abel. Dedication in Noah. Great faith in Abraham. Morality and forgiveness in Joseph. Courage in Moses.

But this go around...this Fall, in this college bible class...this almost 40-year old mom of three has seen things a bit different...

WHAT A HOT MESS!!!

Every single one! They by no means had any of this thing called life figured out. Alot of us today, think these times we are living in are the worst. I beg to differ.  These first generations we read about were far from perfect or G-rated. Things are bad, but that isn't new to God. It isn't new, but it still all makes Him sad.

They listened to satan. They murdered. Some could be called arrogant and prideful. You ever laughed at God in doubt? They did. They lied and deceived. Some of them sinned in anger, while others got drunk. They witnessed the greatest of miracles and actually heard the audible voice of God...and the next day they complained and looked around for other gods to fill His place.

Oh, but the hope this gives! God uses the roughest, the weakest, the nastiest alot of the times. No, let's be honest...He uses those types of folks all the time. I know this for sure because I have witnessed it. I am a product of it. You want a hot mess...look no further than this girl right here.

I have been the world's worst with impatience. I overcommit and let people down. I am prideful. I like to be in control. I have lost my temper. I have hurt the ones I love the most. I have said the wrong things. I have lied in order to not disappoint.

And then there are the big struggles. The ones I only trust to my inner circles, my accountability partners. The sins and struggles and burdens that carry heavy shame and fear and anxiety. We ALL have these. My encouragement to you in these matters, is to find your people. Find the ones you feel safe with, that can accept the flaws and extend more grace and love than disappointment and shock. Find the ones that can be open and honest in return with you. Find the ones that will weekly hold your hand and remind you to hold your eyes upward. Find the ones that will speak truth to you and gently lead you back when you get a little off course.

Secrecy is a dark and scary place. It isn't safe. Exploiting all of your junk and mess for all to see and know, or sharing it with the wrong, non-trustworthy person isn't safe either. God did not intend for us to walk this road alone. You know the verses...confess your sins ONE to ANOTHER...carry ANOTHER'S burdens. I encourage you to be private, not secret. There is a difference.

I am beyond grateful for and adore my people. They know who they are...friends and family. As a book I just finished reading put it, "Your mess is mine.", and vice versa.

So yeah, He didn't intend for us to walk all this mess alone. He gave us each other, and He also gave us people we can't tangibly touch or talk to, but He gave us their stories.

So when you mess up, when you tell the lie or you doubt. When you are envious or seek to have all the control. When you are angry with the discomfort of where God has placed you for the moment. When you struggle with lust and being faithful. When your mess is alcoholism, drug addiction, or the such. Remember Eve, Noah, and Abraham. Remember Moses and those impatient children of Israel. Remember Joseph and all the others.

God never gave up on these people, and He won't give up on us. If we follow Him and allow Him to, He won't only not give up on us, He will use us. Because the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Moses...He is the same...He is our God too.