What Can I DO?

When I was living in a town called Pampa, TX, my mom took on a task of redoing some dressers. These dressers were hers from the time she was a little girl and had many layers of dirt and stain. I watched her wear rubber gloves and strip the dresser of all these layers. I was completely amazed by the process. I distinctly remember being told to not touch the chemicals she was using or I would get burned or hurt. Once the messy part was done she was able to restore the dresser to the original color and grandeur. I currently have one of these in my boys' room.

I feel like that dresser. God has taken me on a journey. He has stripped me of all the things I claimed I was or wanted to be. Sometimes, I would get hurt, but the hurt led to healing. He is showing me how he made me to be ME. Not only how he made me to be me, but that it is OK to be me.

The reason this is so important to me is because for too long I have done different tasks because it was expected of me or because I could do it. I filled needs that were not mine to fill. I took on roles that weren't mine to take on. Through the journey I stripped myself of those feelings. I need to know that I was OK even if I didn't do a single darn thing. I had to take myself out of everything. There was a time for that, but now I am ready to take on what God has called me to. I have been very cautious with this, but know that when you are in the place that God has called you there is freedom, joy, and a contentment, something I long for.

The trick in all of this is knowing that what I have is just as great as someone else's. I have to fight the comparing curse. Too many times I find myself longing for someone else's gifts or talents, but I am realizing that I need to be who I am and that is OK.

Here is a video of what I am trying to say....

Micah Bournes :: What Can I Do? from Antioch Church on Vimeo.