Take Off Your Life Jacket

As you know, as part of my nightly devotional with my darn self, I am reading, "Holy As You Are."

Read it.

Get it and read it.

Have tissues ready every single night, though!

Last night I was reading in the chapter about "Ministering."

That word is scary to me.

Like, do I have to go hand out scriptures to people??

NO!

In it, Christie Gardner tells a story about her neighbor and a boy named, Jace.

As you may or may not know, I have to read out loud when I am reading.

Ever since the stroke, I have to read out loud to be able to comprehend and retain what I am reading.

As I was reading last night, I was SOBBING.

Like, could not see the page to be able to read the next sentence.

https://fb.watch/4ZmXhrEbzl/

As I was reading about Jace, the distinct impression was placed upon my heart:

Heidi, I am preparing you to take off your life jacket.

I am preparing you to take off your life jacket, to push off, and to swim...

With the knowledge that I have that you will, indeed, pass the test.

So, keep trying.

The world (those on the deck of the pool) may not believe in you or your ability to do this.

But, I do.

I KNOW what comes next for you if you will keep trying.

Keep practicing.

It will take many, many push-offs.

It will take many, many times in the deep end.

You will sink MANY times.

But, Heidi - you are going to swim and you are going to pass the test.

I am preparing to put my shield back on this week.

In the past, that shield has been disposable to me.

I would put them on, then take them off if I knew I would be "swimming in the deep end."

Not anymore.

This shield, this symbol of my love and integrity on the inside and the outside, will keep me from drowning.

This, I finally know.

It will keep me in line with passing the test.

God's plan is ALWAYS better.

This I know.