No Excuses

What a sunday! My little brother, who has been in more trouble by the age of 16 than most men are in a lifetime, went to the alter today. To see him pour it all out to God. Weeping and praising, as he so often does now days, breaks me everytime. A first-timer, a former believer in the practices of wicken, and one of our beloved Junior High girls gave their lives to God today. Two weeks ago, I talked to this Junior High girl about some things that were going on in her life. Things that nobody should be thinking or doing, especially an 11 year old girl. My best friends mom and aunt, like myself, are two individuals that have been hurt by the church, attended church today as well. A church is supposed to be a place of comfort and love, and these 2 have recieved just the opposite. Here are five differnet people, with five different stories, but all came to ONE conclusion, Jesus Christ is our healer.

September 30th, 2008 was a day filled with worry, tears, and prayer. Vestel Estes, better known as Papa to most, had decided to undergo back surgery in Oklahoma City. A procedure to prop him up, so to speak, so that he wouldn't slouch so much when standing and/or walking. This surgery started great, but quickly took a turn for the worst. Papa had fell into a coma, his vital organs were shutting down and the outcome was not looking good at all. The doctor's tried everything they could think of. They couldn't give him certain medicines because it would speed up kidney failure, and other medicines because it would speed up heart faulure. The doctors were out of options and informed Pastor that he should start preparing himself and the family for his father's passing.

Papa Estes was back at home by the second week of November.

Yesterday, the youth had a fund-raising chili dinner. I was fixing to leave when I saw Papa and Mimi sitting 4 tables from the door. I had some things layed on my heart from last week, after being informed by Pastor that Papa had a blood clot in his leg. This made his leg kind of feel like playdoe, only hard to bend, which made it very hard to stand up and walk. I decided to go and see how they were doing before I left for La Huerta. I extended my hand toward him, as he took it and looked up at me, I began to tear up. Knowing that I had something to say, he just smiled and asked how I was doing. So I let him have it. I told him how GREAT it was to see him at church and how inspired and encouraged I was by it. As we were talking to each other, the same thoughts kept running through my mind. How frequently people come up with exuses to not do something. For example, people want to be at church but can't because they are sick, the kids are sick, or my favorite, because they are just simply tired. Or for those who want to reach out and invite someone to church, just have a conversation, be a friend, and/or just show the unconditional love that Christ shows us each and every day.

Papa gets out of bed and to church almost every sunday, despite his pain and weakness physically, because the power of God in our church has healed him and made him strong spritually and emotionally. Papa has a real exuse to not come. He can barely walk, or even stand up for that matter, but still comes. Comes and sits in his recliner with his hands lifted as high as he possibly can, praising with all of his heart.

My friends and I have a weekly Bible study at our apartment. This week, David took us on a tour of Colossians. The book of Colossians, like the other 65 books, is wonderful. A real helper in how to live a life for God. We pick a "key verse(s)" every week and write it on the dry-erase board to serve as a reminder. On the board is Colossians 3:12-17, a quick strategy for how live a Godly life.

1. Imitate Christ's Compassion
2. Let Love Guide Your Life
3. Let The Peace of Christ Rule in Your Heart
4. Always be Thankful
5. Keep God's Word at All Times
6. Be a Jesus Representative

It is unbelievable how visible God makes himself sometimes. I was sitting there thinking about how many people that I have come in contact with that week, and how hesitant I was to start conversation. For one reason or another, I made up these stupid exuses to not act. Through all of this, I kept thinking about Papa Estes, and how he may handle situations like these. I have never seen him turn from somebody, if anything he is always eager to talk. He doesn't allow his one real exuse to become an exuse, so what gives me the right to do it? In just one quick year, Vestel Estes has went from the old guy in the recliner that used to Pastor the church, to a role model. God often puts small "instruments" in our lives to help us through our situations. Instruments of God that help us in different areas, and Papa is just that. An instrument that helps us fix little problems through advice or his loving attitude. He is a compassionate man, who lives for God, and is extremely thankful. He's able to recite scripture everytime I talk to him, and represents Christ with the best of them. Seeing him at church, shaking his hand, and having a quick conversation with him, just puts a skip in my step. He is a real encourager and true inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with.

Thank for reading!