Casandra Martin

It is the simple things that catch your heart and leave you different. I just got back from taking a group of teens to do VBS for underprivileged children. There were no burning bushes, no writing on the walls, or seas parting at our feet. There were, however, enough encounters with God to leave you humbled, wide-eyed, and changed.

These God moments came in the form of little arms and giant hugs, small voices singing the big truths about Jesus Loves Me and the B-I-B-L-E, and hungry hearts being fed the Bread of Life. Children absorbed love like sponges. Teens saw with new eyes as little ones copied their steps, their words, and their attitudes. Adults stood amazed as God moved in and reminded us of the power of living fully in His presence.

Wrapping up the week, we stood in a circle talking about all the ways we had seen Jesus. Best things and blessings piled up in our hearts, breaking the hard places, and opening our eyes. One of the gentlemen standing there with us remarked that you can’t help but be changed by coming to this place. “You will always leave different. Every time.”

His words echo in my mind. Every encounter with God has the potential to leave us changed, transformed. And every day holds the possibility of meeting Him. However, in the ordinary surroundings of my routine, I miss Him. Busyness creates blinders to His presence. The familiar sometimes prevents me from seeing His face.

My Jesus Resolution today is to expect to be changed. He is here, as much in my heap of laundry as the hill country of Texas. As much in my workplace as in worship. As much in the familiar as the foreign. The difference is in my expectation. When I go on a mission trip, to church, or into someplace new, I have my eyes open for His presence. Today I am going to expect to see Him around the corner in my laundry room, at the grocery store, and in the dishes. And every time I meet Him, I am going to be changed.