Engaged.

Engaged... this word became new to me this time last year, as I was just that--Engaged.   However, I'm wanting to fully grasp this word.  Not just as a means of planning, anticipating, picking out flowers, colors, cakes, dresses, invitations, songs, verses, vows, and the list only goes on.  Why do we call the "pre-wedding" period, an engagement? 

According to dictionary.com the word means to "occupy the attention and/or efforts of", "to attract and hold fast", "to bind as by pledge or promise".  Okay, no where does it say "the fret before the big day", "the stress of perfection", "the spending of too much money"... or better yet "getting married!"  So this word must mean so much more.

To be engaged is the perfect term for marriage.  "To bind by pledge or promise".  I didn't quit being engaged just because I got married.  Really, I still "occupy my attention and efforts" towards my husband.  Granted, most people occupy the time with efforts towards one day (the wedding day)-- but what if we occupy efforts to making life joined with another human-being work... last... mean something.  I like to think that is what my man and I did and are doing.

Okay, so this blog is not about me missing being engaged... or wanting another ring... and Lord knows I do not want to do all that planning again... But, this is about being engaged in life, in our calling, in our purpose.  I feel convicted that I am not engaged enough-- that my efforts aren't geared passionately enough--that my time isn't occupied intently enough.  It's all about the glory, all about the message, all about the worship, the service, the response to all of this.  Life is beginning to feel cluttered.  An array of social strife, appearance motivation, political discord, spiritual warfare, task obsessions, and selfish desires... all stacking themselves on a shelf that is need of much organization--and dusting. 

Why would I want to ever stop being engaged to my husband?  I wouldn't.  It was such a sweet time... the anxiety and butterflies.  The re-telling of the proposal.  The flashing of the ring.  From now on, considered me married and happily engaged.

Which takes me back to the moment I was called.  Called by my Maker to be a saint of service.  I remember the feeling I have received every step of the way... the day I gave my life to Christ.  The day He called me overseas.  The day He spoke through me as children and teens cried out to Christ.  The day He showed me He was the great Counselor and that through 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, He comforted me, so that I may comfort others.  That's all. No big deal. 

Each one of those moments I was fully engaged in my love for Christ.  As I am daily reminded through my "engagement" of love for my husband... I can remember to engage myself in my love for the Creator of the Universe... and that I must "occupy the attention and efforts" of my entire being to making this love known.

That's all, no big deal.  Still engaged.  Have you seen my ring? 

Responding...

Last night as I watched the horror across the screen of my television I had this deep cut inside that was urging a response... as I lay there in my peacecful bed, I couldn't imagine what a response from someone like me could possibly look like.

The most impoverished nation of the Westeren Hemisphere was deeply affected by a 7.0 earthquake... the Haitians suffered a number of aftershocks, all equallying in damage and injuries.  Hundred of thousands are expected to be found dead... children, will be left without parents, parents will have their child die in their own arms.  This small land has suffered intense amounts of natural disasters in the past years.  With 4 hurricanes upsetting the people in 2008, they were barely on the road to recovery, when all their foundations were struck.  How can these people feel hope, when all is continuously collapsing around them?  I struggle finding hope when one small thing doesn't go as planned... what about when your life is shaken over and over--with no means of support & finances.

Over 80% of the precious people live in poverty--- that's just dollars a day.  Dollars--2, 3, 4, dollars a day.  How could I live?  A response is necessary. 

This brings me back to remembering several years back when I visited the sister country of the Dominican Republic.  Another impoverished, third world country.... I can't help but let the images of barefeet, malnourished little bellies, and dirty drinking water consume my mind.  And those were the conditions without a natural disaster. 

Do these people have hope?  They most certainly do.  How is God going to take care of these people?  Through HIS people... we must respond.  Is. 25:4. "For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress."  We must continually pray about what our response should be... can we go? Can we send others?  Can we send supplies?  Can we raise support?  What can we do?

This is an emergency.



Lord, may this be true. Luke 6:20-21. "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."

As Mrs. Cooper.

My fingers tremble at the unknown words about to be produced. :/ I used to have this passion for "blogging"... I ask myself why?? I believe this is where I disect my thoughts and discover a little more of who I am. BUT-- the past 6 months, and then the 12 months prior to that (so 18 months...) I have spent everyday talking to the man God created for me to spend the rest of my life with. This may sound strange (or even romantic), but in a way, I have replaced the "blogging" with Laine. I can tell this man anything and everything. He listens (or pretends to listen) to every bit of nonsense I produce. Sometimes he looks back at me with this half grin and his eyes tell me I am crazy... sometimes he looks intently at me and I can tell he feels my heart and passion... sometimes he shakes his head and pretends he didn't hear the words I just said.

All this to say... my husband is an incredible man. He has been a rock to me since day 1. What a journey my past year and a half has been.

Beginning the summer of 2008, I embarked on an adventure to do what I love, once again. Belmont Univerisity in Nashville, TN was the start of it all... I had just returned from Greece with the precious Roma people, my heart was swolen and my head was itching. Literally itching... day 2 of camp, I discovered I had ((lice))... gross! I am proud to say I got in Greece, so it was unique at least. But this was the start of Laine and Felicia. He must have thought I was nuts- but he embraced it, and fell in love with it :). I, too, a bit more reluctantly, fell in love with this man who showed my God's grace and love endlessly.

It's history from there-- we dated 6 months, got engaged Jan. 3rd, 2009. I graduated from the University of Mobile on May 9th and on June 27th we were married! It has been incredible everyday since.

I took a leap of faith and followed my love to his home city of Paducah, KY. A place I never imagined myself in... and took a job with a Methodist church as the youth director. Boy, has this been the coolest place God has ever put me! Doing ministry day after day, getting to know the coolest kids, and doing it with my husband! We are blessed.

That is just a bit of an update and a beginning to a new era of writing for this lady. I forgot how accountable my words kept me and how much of a challenge they have given me. It is time to begin again...

I know I have my number reader out there-- dad! (If you're the only one, then that's perfect!)

So stay tuned as I journey through this new season of life and grow as a woman of God, discovering more of him and less of me each day.