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8/3/2019 Faith Hope Love: Chapter Eight
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/faith-hope-love-chapter-eight 1/2
Brook ElaineEmail: [email protected], [email protected]
Faith Hope LoveChapter Eight
1
Have you ever experienced anything like a hurricane, tornado, tsunami, volcano,etc? Once (while in the U.S.), I woke to an earthquake in the wee hours of the
morning. I was on the second floor of my rental house and I stared at the movingblinds on the window as my mind tried to wrap itself around what was happening.
The building, foundation, and earth below me rolled as though I was perched onthe deck of a boat at sea. I was unable to stop it, powerless to save myself,
incapable of escape. I was along for the ride whether I wanted to be or not! I wasat God’s mercy!
Having my eyes opened by God was a similar ordeal. The birth pains, if you will,
were small and far apart at first…difficult to even identify. But as time went on
(many years infact), they became more intense and closer together…until grace.He was calling me and I knew the Good Shepherd’s voice. I was going towardHim by instinct without thought or hesitation. Could I put on the breaks? I
cannot prevent death. Could I hinder God or thwart His doing? And, why wouldI? I was in His tractor beam and being pulled to the mother ship.
The book God used (in addition to the bible) as a tool toward the end of this
process was Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival by NancyLeigh DeMoss and Tim Grisson. It is one I highly recommend. Of course, at that
time I also had a wonderful guide to help me navigate through the book and thedeep, tumultuous waters of my conflicting feelings as my flesh burned and I
transitioned from being a slave to my sin to one of righteousness (Romans 6). Butwhile in Singapore, I was closer to the beginning of this progression. I was still
focused on worldly things and naïve in my young age.
Ethics and integrity were always important to me…but so was going out withfriends, dancing (as a guest not employee) at clubs, having a few alcoholic
beverages, cursing, and “enjoying” life. You only live once you know! And Iwas under the impression God would forgive me no matter what! He loves me. I
can indulge all I want and ask forgiveness later, right? And the overall thought of God in general just was not at the forefront of my mind. I flew by the seat of my
pants and ate up every moment. I felt invincible and maybe even above reproach.
One night that stands out in particular in my mind during this season was when alarge posse of coworkers and I went out to a popular restaurant to celebrate.
What, exactly, we were observing I cannot remember but I do recall standing bythe bar with one or two others and exceeding my drink limit. I cannot speak for
anyone else but I for one was juiced, tanked, intoxicated. It all became a blur of laughing, cheering, chattering (about God only knows what, I have no clue), and
hopping in a cab with a bunch of others and heading to our next destination which
8/3/2019 Faith Hope Love: Chapter Eight
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/faith-hope-love-chapter-eight 2/2
Brook ElaineEmail: [email protected], [email protected]
Faith Hope LoveChapter Eight
2
was a trendy night club. Though I was probably there for hours it seemed likethirty minutes and then a particularly lovely gal from my work family (with
whom I am still friends) took me by the arm and escorted me safely home. Godwatched over me that evening and thankfully so! I imagine He was probably
shaking his head and muttering something about what a terrible mess I was but Hegave me His mercy and protection though I certainly did not deserve it!
Two gals and I returned to that restaurant a second evening for dinner. While
there I made many comments about the bartender and how he had flirted with usthe first time we were there. As my mouth ran away with me, our server politely
asked me how I knew the bartender and stated he was her boyfriend! DEER IN
HEADLIGHTS! “Uh.” I could hear crickets echoing in my brain as everythought had quickly vacated the premises. She waited my response. I just wantedto climb under the table and disappear! What did my face look like? Was I
smiling or was my jaw just hanging open? “I am SO SORRY!” I uttered inabsolute embarrassment. “I had NO idea!” She smiled warmly and gave a
chuckle. We did not even have our food yet and already I could not finish minefast enough. Needless to say I never went back to that establishment again!
