"Your love made the way to let mercy come in ..."

 When I entered the prom closet recently and saw all the racks, boxes, dresses, and shoes everywhere, I felt overwhelmed and embarrassed.  What would people think? I felt that I needed to clean it up and get things looking decent.  So, I got busy. 

As I worked, I was reminded how this beautiful mess was started 12 years ago because of HIS vision. It was then that I realized my faith walk is just like the prom closet! A HOT MESS! I don't think Tammy, or I could have ever dreamt of all God has done and provided through the miracle that is the prom closet.

At last count we have given out at least 4,145 dresses and probably many more because we didn’t keep up with every single one. The number of dresses given out seems like a big number and it is!

For 12 years there have been so many God stories that have made us cry, laugh, inspired, and challenged.  We have the best seat in the house because numbers are just a representation of the impact, but we have the privilege to see deeper and see God at work as He brings each of us into His purpose.   

For the last few years my faith has looked like the Prom Closet - a HOT mess and just like the Prom Closet I was embarrassed to allow others to see that.  What would people think? How do I begin to clean things up again? Start again, find my faith, and find connection?

I heard God say “Aileen what are you doing here?” while doing my Bible study a couple of weeks ago.   The topic was 1 king 19 where Elijah experienced God's power and miracles (We all have experienced His power and miracles in our lives.) But at some point Elijah hid because of fear (ouch… is that what I have been doing lately?)

"Then the word of the Lord came to him ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” 1 Kings 19:9b as Elijah is hiding in a cave! 

The lesson doesn't end there.  Elijah doesn't answer the question but let’s face it God knows our heart and He knows why we hide. I have been hurt, I am afraid, I am not enough, my faith is not strong enough, I am not equipped, _____________(fill in the blank.)

For 12 years I have experienced God and seen the miracles he has done through the Prom Closet but lately I have been hiding in a cave much like Elijah.  Afraid to get out.

But this song hits hard and for the most part I can't really listen to it because it makes me cry. It's my worship song for now as I try to figure out how to step out of the cave:

"Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin 

Lost without hope with no place to begin 

Your love made the way to let mercy come in 

When death was arrested, and my life began" 

With lyrics like “I am not a prisoner” and “Jesus arose with our freedom in hand” WOW! talk about raising eyebrows!

Faith is complicated and never perfect, and I am always a work in progress. I am still inside the cave, but it is not as deep in there anymore.

As we move towards a new milestone, the TEEN years in February of 2023 let’s not forget the miracles that have happened.  And they won’t be the last ones…. 

Blessings,

Aileen