And then God smacked me upside the head.

Amen & amen.

.......or something like that..........

Recently God has been showing me some spiritual adjustments I need to make in my life. Ironically, it is the exact same thing I pointed out in a close friend's life a few years ago.

Because deep inside where no one else knows me, I'm really a 3 year old. I've been a kickin' and a screamin' while God patiently takes me back to the naughty rug and says, "I'm not done with you yet sweetie."

This is a painful, personal process.
I'm not one of those christian's who can pretend I've got it all together. I've tried that route and it ain't really pretty. I think the church (in general) is full of those type of people and I just don't fit in.

If I'm confident about anything these days, I know this: Me & God we are going to work this thing out. You see, I believe God loves me the exact.same.way I love my kids and while I do not enjoy punishing them (at all) I do it because I want them to grow up to be good people.

This Lent has been a purging/pruning season for me spiritually.
I'm looking forward to some tasty fruit real soon.

"I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape-bearing he prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.
Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can't bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can't bear fruit unless you are joined with me.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon." John 15:1-8 (The Message)

My Lenten Meditation.

Comfort, oh comfort my child, Lisa," says your God.
Speak softly and tenderly to Lisa, but also make it very clear
That she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She's been punished enough and more than enough, and now it's over and done with."

Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys, level off the hills,
Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.
Then God's bright glory will shine in Lisa's life and everyone will see it.
Yes. Just as God has said.

A voice says, "Shout!" I said, "What shall I shout?"
"I am nothing but grass, my love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, if God so much as puffs on me.
Aren't I just so much grass? True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
but our God's Word stands firm and forever."

Climb a high mountain, Lisa! You're the preacher of good news.
Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Lisa.
You're the preacher of good news.
Speak loud and clear. Lisa! Don't be timid!
Tell the cities of Judah, "Look! Your God!"
Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power, ready to go into action.
He is going to pay back his enemies and reward you because you have loved him.
Like a shepherd, he will care for you, Lisa, as part of  his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms,
Hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.


(Isaiah 40:1-10, The Message.) 
(Personalization mine. Bold emphasis mine.)