When Jesse stood up, Ron couldn’t help but stare. He was looking at a brand new man. Jesse looked like someone had just cut a 1000 lbs of weight loose from his shoulders. His countenance was bright. There was this visible peace all over his face. He looked relieved to have finally settled the matter of eternity with his Maker. He had finally surrendered and could not stop smiling. And Ron had just witnessed a miracle.

Jesse pushed open the door to see Pastor Ron hovering over his desk, jacket on, shuffling through the papers on his desk.

“What’re you doing here?” Jesse demanded to know. His heart was now beating out of his chest.

“This is my office. What’re you doing here?” Pastor Ron asked.

“You first,” Jesse insisted. How much time had even passed between when he prayed and pulled into the parking lot. Why wasn’t there another vehicle in the parking lot? And then explained, “I’ve been calling you all day and you haven’t answered. What’re you doing here?”

“I don’t think you know me but you know my wife Kathy. I have a problem... I’ve been trying to call the pastor all day so I can become a Christian but he’s not answering. If you’re real, put him in the church. I’m turning left on Albion right now. Sincerely, Jesse.”

***this is an excerpt from my upcoming memoir on Jesse Morales’ life and legacy.***

If you’ve ever tried to pump to the next whole dollar at the gas station, you know it often ends up spilling because that tank only has so much space. Once it’s full, it’s go time. Continuing to pump when there’s no more room, is a damaging waste.

When he said those words, I was reminded of how easy it is for me to end up with a collection of strategies, words, ideas, visions, and intentions for change but never gain traction.

Nothing changes without action.

When God called Nehemiah to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem, he took some time to inspect what needed to be done, and then he informed those who would be doing the work what needed to be done.

Their reply? Let’s start. They had been inspired and they had intentions. But still nothing happened until these three words: “so they began.”

And because we never grow out of him, it's never just up to us. But there is something that is up to us; asking him for help. My daughter is doing online school this year and from day 1, we've told her, "If you get stuck, it's not up to you to figure it out on your own, but it is up to you to ask for help."

So, before you get busy pulling up your word-of-the-year-bootstraps, remember this from last week– BELIEVE that the Word He has given you is the Word HE is going to accomplish in your life. (Isaiah 55:10-11 from last week!)

The word I sensed the Lord gave me for this year is "intentional."

I got a new planner a few months before the new year rolled in where I wrote down all my cultivated goals and many other plans to change my behaviour.

But the first time I was alone in Superstore and I saw the bright read CLEARANCE sign, guess what happened? I was not intentional. I was the girl who loves a good treasure hunt in the bargain section while paying zero attention to the fact that it's past dinner time. My husband calling interrupted my treasure hunt and alerted me to the fact that I was late and everyone was hungry.

I hate to admit it, but my first attempts at change are often followed by the all out flop.