1 Week Later

November 13, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

1 Week Later is 1 of 3 conversations.

1 Hour Later

1 Week Later

1 Additional Week Later

following the blog written 15 Years Ago Today.

1 Week Later

Sequence 2 of 3...

In all my excitement after 

1 Hour Later

I immediately sat down to journal what

that moment had brought about. 

 So when I received the text 

“I'm here and have our table.”

I felt terrible having completely forgotten a lunch date
with a dear friend.

My text

 "I'm running late be there soon, about 20 minutes."

In ALL she had waited 40 minutes for me to arrive.

If you know me 

I AM NEVER LATE

15 MINUTES BEFORE A MEETING IS ON TIME TO ME!

As I arrived I apologized for the inconvenience I had caused her

feeling awful for being a terrible friend.

Yet feeling excited to share with her what God had just done.

Read blog 1 Hour Later.

In my exuberance I shared that

 the Ministerial Servant and his wife 

would return 

1 Week Later

I couldn't help but tear up thinking how far God has brought me.

I had one week to pray.

I had one week to seek God 

What would next week would bring?

Of course in all my humanness I started to create a plan.

I thought

This couple doesn't know me! 

They are from another congregation!

They don't know my maiden name!

I can stay undercover for awhile!

I could “pretend” I knew nothing

and ask the 'typical' questions 

and see where they would take this!

I could ask all the questions most people ask!

I would 
Start from the beginning.

"Why do you call yourselves Jehovah's Witnesses?"

"Why do you believe you are the one true religion?"

"How is it that you came to the conclusion that you are God's remnant and not Israel?"

"Why don't you celebrate Birthdays or Christmas?"

"What is that memorial thing you do each year?"

"Oh and by the way, the tract that was left about the dead

On and on and on I would go.”

Yes! 
That's it I will be undercover
 for however long God will allow......

How far have a I come....Not that far...

if I am still coming up with MY plan.

As time would tell and needless to say 

God had other plans

and He was not going to allow me 
and my own workings to play out.

One week later.

Prepared.

Ready.

Undercover.

The door bell rang. I peeked out the window.

NOT the Ministerial Servant and his wife.

I see my plan deflating right before my eyes.

I already knew the words that would be spoken.

I could predict the outcome.

All in a split second

I knew then and there

God had a bigger plan.

Two women.

From the 'West Side' congregation.

I grew up going to the ' East Side' congregation.

Two women I knew.

Two women that I remember going door to door with.

Two women I remember sitting around bonfires with.

No more undercover.

MY plan wasn't happening.

NOTE TO SELF (once again):

It never does Melissa, it never does.

Kinda like a V8 moment with the knock between the eyeballs.

God's plan Melissa, God's design Melissa.

 His will. His way.

Duh!

Oh Lord help me!

As I welcomed them in

I wondered how long it would take for them to recognize me.

The funny thing is they didn't recognize me.

Did I still toy with the idea of being undercover.

I didn't toy.

I must admit the thought entered but I took it captive

I chose to surrender and follow God's plan.

They offered a basic greeting.

“Hello, sorry the gentleman and his wife from last week couldn't make it.

They are from a “different” Kingdom Hall.

After reviewing our territories

you and your home are actually in our district

the 'West Side' Kingdom Hall Congregation."

"Sure I understand."

(I realize and know all to well

 what is happening, as I am now chuckling in my spirit with God.)

“So they mentioned you wanted a return visit

to discuss a tract that they left you, this one

Can the dead really live again?”

“Yes, yes I did. 
However I have to be honest with you.

I'm Melissa, and we know each other.”

As they both pressed in and really took notice of who was standing before them
their potential 'householder' deflating before their eyes.
Now making direct eye contact with me

 they both recognized me fully and completely.

The usual banter took place, a reminiscing of sorts.

Then in a split second the words that I knew would be spoken

the outcome I predicted.

The sting.
The piercing.

Happened.

'Disfellowshipped.'

'Put Out.'

'Rejected.'

'Do not talk to or with this kind.'

I can't ask questions

And

They can't give me answers.

Because I'm no longer one of them.

'I'm the one who chose to leave

so there for I pay the price.'

However

“We can send the Elders to talk to you if you would like?”

Honestly at first

I did say “No.”

But then my spirit stirred

and my quick

“No”

turned to a

“Yes.”

“Melissa, you must understand

things have really changed in regards to people like you.”

“Really, then explain to me why my mom still shuns me

I'm sure that hasn't changed.”

"Well you do know what Corinthians has to say about that REMEMBER."

I thanked them for coming and said it was nice to see them again.

We set up another time

1 Additional Week Later

for me to meet with

two Elders

from the 'West Side' Congregation.

"... In the spiritual world as we fight a spiritual war. 

God can do a lot with a little. 
Our numbers may not be large, but our God is all-powerful. 

And as we go forward in His strength, we can make a difference.

~Pastor Greg Laurie

Lord,

Please hear my prayer. 

I am not much and only have little to offer.

Trying to create MY own plan is just another example of that.  

Please forgive me.

Please take my little and make it yours and all that you want it to be.

Please take my heart and use it how You see fit.
 Amen.

Love,

 Me~