Not Knowing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTc98K9OeU&list=RDuxTc98K9OeU&t=4

Here as in Heaven ~ Elevation Worship

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ~ Acts 20:22 NIV

One Sunday morning, in January 2006, I was compelled to find my friend Nichole. She went to some church called Bayside. I didn’t know what I would encounter when I arrived at her church, but I went. I found my friend, but also healing, fulfillment, and many friendships that would shape our family.

In 2010, God called us to join a team preparing to launch Bayside’s first satellite campus. At first, I didn’t want to go. I had found my niche and didn’t think I needed anything else. But then God’s Spirit touched our hearts, and we went.

Then in 2015, as Bayside was preparing to launch its fifth satellite campus, Brad asked us to pray about going. I didn’t want to pray, because I didn’t want God to move me. We’d established deep relationships, our girls had the perfect pastor, and I felt like this was where we belonged. But Holy Spirit touched me, and we went.

And in 2017, God told us to pack and prepare. We did, not knowing where we were going, until God spoke to Brad and said we were Wisconsin-bound. I didn’t want to go. This was our home, the one God had established for us. But Holy Spirit touched us, and we went, not knowing what would happen to us there. We rolled into town extremely late on July 24, 2017. The year has been filled with many hardships. But also love. God established and re-established many relationships, people with whom we’d walk through each other’s joyous and hard times. Then exactly one year after we arrived in town, my Grandpa Hayes passed away. But he left behind him a legacy of love, prayer, and faithfulness to God and his family.

I don’t know what the next year or years will hold for us. But compelled by the Spirit, we will go and do as God directs in love, prayer, and faithfulness to God and our family.

©Heather Potts 2018

H.E.L.P.

https://youtu.be/cueulBxn1Fw

Help ~ The Beatles 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiK9S8iq4ek

Open Heaven ~ Hillsong

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

Life really hurts sometimes. My grandpa Hayes is dying. Brad’s grandma is very sick and weak. Brad’s mom just had several blood clots removed from her lungs and legs, and now must live on tank oxygen and blood thinners, and simple things, like washing dishes, are too much of a struggle for her.

Hard times and pain are just as much a part of life as are joy and celebration. But often, we don’t know how to respond when we see others hurting and either walk away—afraid the pain is contagious—or fill in the space with plastic wrap answers and responses that don't really help the people who are hurting.

But there is HELP:

H - Hands. Compelled by compassion, we want to reach out and ease the pain. Try a hug, a phone call, or text just to say hello and remind them you’re here for them. 

E - Everyone. You can't do everything, but everyone can do something. What comes naturally to me may be a struggle for you. Try cooking/buying a meal, running errands, doing a chore (like laundry), bringing coffee, or sitting quietly with them.

L - Love. Love is what compels us to act. It's WHY we're moved with compassion. In the middle of the pain, those who are hurting just want to know they're still loved and not alone.

P - People. At the end of the day, we're all people. We need prayer, real encouragement, and people who will stand side-by-side with us, until the end.

If you're going through something, don't be afraid to reach out and let others surround you. And if you know someone going through a hard time, they don't need you to answer "why" it’s happening. Just be there in whatever way God leads you. Comfort them the way you've been comforted.

They're looking for help and God sent you.

©Heather Potts 2018