15/30

A day rich with thinking and pondering...wondering and questioning...daring and caring.

Up at 5:00 AM to by on the road by 5:30 AM to reach Madison in (plenty of) time for the noon rally with Franklin Graham.  Decision American finally comes to Wisconsin!  Twas a beautiful day in spite of a forecast for rain and thunderstorms.  Momma and I enjoyed coffee and a morsel from Harvest Bakery (along with a quick daydream of whether a Harvest Bakery would make it in Cumberland - will need to look into that!).  Great radio listening en route.  We have this down to a science.

And then we took note of the probable hand of Providence in small but meaningful ways such as turning on the GPS within a mile of the exit, getting to the parking garage moments before it was full, going into a Starbucks at just the right time to run into an old BGEA acquaintance, walking out of the crowd at just the right time to bump into Heidi, Dell, and Terri from church, striking up a conversation (thank you Momma) with a group of people on the way to the parking garage to end up swapping phone numbers, prayers, and suggestions for connecting our churches - and we had just enough extra waters in our bag for each of them!  (Living Water Community Church, Madison - but not to be found online???)

 It was good to gather...to see others...and the variety of people...they weren't ALL elderly and white :)  Franklin led the crowd through various prayers of confession for self, family, and nation.  He challenged the crowd to be engaged and active - to organize in our communities :) and to sign a pledge! 

And then at home I listened to Jonathan Cahn with Glenn - challenging, convicting...it's time to gird up and prepare!  Well actually it's past that time...so time to ramp up the girding up!

So at day 15 of 30...there is a barrier...the novelty is wearing a bit, yet it's rather satisfying to be hanging in there.  There was no run today :( and there won't be tomorrow morning due to an super early appointment...so the well intentioned pattern has been jumbled.  

Read:  "Today, how might we - with the Spirit's help - reach out to someone unlike us?  Lord, give us eyes to see those around us as You see them. Give us ears to hear their stories; give us hearts to share Your love." ODB

While at the rally there were protesters, of course.  We referred to them as our guests or the visitors :) I have been well trained by GB to see this as an opportunity to welcome and to be gracious. It was hot, so I gather some bottles of water with the plan to share with the guests.  How surprisingly difficult it was to share water on a hot day!!  But I reminded myself that it isn't the reception, but rather the act of doing - and if the prompting/idea is from God, the act of obedience.  

There was a bit of a risky feeling to 1) attend a clearly Jesus centered event in the middle of Madison (versus Beck-fests which while mostly attended by believers, the events aren't identified as such) 2) to step out to engage even a little bit with those who don't exactly seem friendly, to put it nicely.  It's good practice...and one should looks for more opportunities to continue to practice!