Sunday school.
Sleep-overs.
Hand written notes.
Late night phone calls.
Matching Tee-shirts.
These are the kinds of things that come to mind when I think of Jada Edwards. We grew up together. Her’s was one of the only houses that my parents would allow me to stay at overnight and her friendship was just a cozy as her bed. This woman knows more about me than I’d ever care to willingly reveal . . and she loves me anyway. She is a secret-keeper, a confidant, an encourager and a serious friend – the kind you keep for a lifetime.
So, I have.
Watching her journey has been one of my greatest joys. Deeply engrained in a corporate America career, her world was turned upside down when she met and married one of my Dallas Seminary classmates. Together, she and her minister husband started and church. . . and Just. Like. That. she was a pastor’s wife.
I’ve admired her grace and dignity through the transition, her patience and endurance through the hardships and her continue desire to press into God and His Word every step of the way. Each message she shares, through her teachings and writings, are evidence of her deep rooted walk with God. She’s thoughtful and pensive, funny and witty all at the same time.
That’s what makes Jada. . .well. . .Jada.
Enjoy her post today. I needed to hear it. . .and so do you.
Blessings,
Priscilla
Saw a very cool photo today of the tallest mountain on our planet.
Can you find it?
If you look closely you’ll see it in the middle of the photo. Can you believe that’s the imposing and revered Mt. Everest? Although it’s over 29,000 feet (that’s like 20 empire state buildings) it simply looks like an average mountain from just 250 miles above earth. It looks far less intimidating and much more like another bumpy place that almost anyone could conquer.
I wonder what it looks like from an even higher vantage point…
Hardly noticeable.
There have been well over 200 deaths as men and women have tried to master this mountain. There have been thousands of failed attempts. For almost a century people have used every tool, strategy and strength to attain this lofty (literally) goal – it calls climbers to risk everything.
But it’s amazing how vantage point can change the vision of a thing.
How perspective can make the overwhelming seem overhyped.
Looking at it from the ground up can be daunting. I ask myself “How will I even begin to conquer this thing?” I usually assess my skills and gifts, find the right tools and get equipped. Then I work on several techniques and spend countless hours, days, or weeks stressing over strategies. My strength never seems to be enough. My vantage point is too low. If I could just “set my mind on things above” (Col 3:2) I could ask God to show me that same mountain from his vantage point. He would gladly, yet gently and graciously, lift the veil to reveal His omniscient outlook. He would say to me…
“this thing that holds your joy hostage is a just another thing I hold in my hand.”
So when my mountains feel like this…
I must cling to the truth that a day is coming where….
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed…(Isaiah 40)
And in the mean time….
If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. (Matt. 17)
Here’s what it boils down to:
One day every Everest will be eliminated.
All mountains aren’t meant to be climbed, some are meant to be moved.
Mountains are strengthened by fear but moved by faith (think mustard seed).
Are you up for a little mountain moving today?
– Jada
