Reminded

We are taught things daily.  Some things we remember from the first time we are told.  Other things we memorize while needed and then they leave our thoughts.  Yet more important things we are lucky enough to hear over and over as a reminder for our well-being and safety.

I was reminded of something this weekend that has changed my life, yet I still love reminders over again.  At church, we are in the midst of a series called Prepared.  Really, I haven't learned anything new rather I have been reminded of a practice that saved me while on my first trip to Haiti.

I took my first trip to Haiti in March of 2012.  I took this trip ALONE because everyone else backed out of the trip last minute.  Yes, I said ALONE.  Now I didn't know at the time how dangerous that decision was and trust me, I will not do that again.  However, I knew I was in the will of God and that I was called to be there so I went.

What I saw when I stepped off that American plane was shocking!  I was accosted with smells (not so pleasant), sounds, and visions which wrecked my soul.  Again, I knew I was in the will of God and protected, but I was terrified!
I had never experienced anything like this, and here I was experiencing it with only the Lord with me.

While this is not a picture that I personally took, this show the abundance of people waiting just outside the Port au Prince airport!

BUT-this picture was taken from in front of the airport where it is the wealthy people who are able to purchase plane tickets.

The sights that greeted me on the other side (while I didn't feel comfortable whipping out my camera) where just as chaotic but with a more questionable crowd.

I was filled with fear and doubt.  I couldn't find the men that were helping me find my transportation.  I was desperate yet trying to look in control.  I wanted to crawl into a fetal position and cry for my husband or my daddy.  Instead, I stood tall and called to my Heavenly Father.

Pastor George has spoken many times about how verses will come in a storm.  Well, a spoken word did not come to my head but a song did.  A song filled with verses speaking the Truth of the promises.  In my head, I sang The Lord is my Light and Salvation. Whom Shall I fear? Whom Shall I be Afraid?  As these word resonated through my soul, a calm swept over me.  As soon as I stopped the lyrics, fear and doubt crept in.  

You see, my pastor has taught me.  I do not have to convince the world to believe the word.  I have to remind myself what the word says and use it to stomp on the devil's face.  

So I have a few questions for you.....

-Do you have a church that is feeding you the word AND teaching you how to use it?  If not and you are in Tulsa, I would love to have you join me some Sunday.

-Are you spending time learning the word?  Do you have a scheduled time to replenish your soul?  It doesn't have to take hours.  Just 10-15 minutes a day.

-Are you conscious of what you feed into your mind?  The words of a praise and worship song saved my spirit that day.  If I hadn't filled my mind with those lyrics, what would have come to my mind?

So I close in asking this question?

What do you speak in time of tragedy and/or fear?