Swilor Family: How Has God Changed You?

Hello Ladies!

I hope you all had a great weekend. I had a great time seeing my little brother get married and spending time with family. I am really looking forward to another week of studying God's word with all of you. I know that He has many more blessings in store for us as we continue studying, learning, and changing to be the women He wants us to be. I loved introduction week and getting to know all of you better. As informal as an online study is, I truly think I have learned more about each of you in one week than I would have in an actual in person group. I think one of the benefits is that we get to read about each other without any interruptions in our discussion. I am looking forward to getting together with as many members of the group as Jesus sees fit a few times throughout the summer.

Now that introduction week is over, we'll be focusing more on the study. However, I think it has been really fun answering questions and sharing our walk with Christ. I plan on sharing a discussion question a couple times a week, just to keep things exciting.

My first question for the week is How has God changed you? This can be How has God changed you from before you were a Christian to after you became a Christian, or a recent change, maybe even since we started this study. I know God continually changes us! He is constantly working on our hearts. I think this will be encouraging for all of us to hear and I can't wait to hear your answers!

May God bless your week!

My Reply

So, I am going to lay it out there. When I first asked all of you the question "How has God changed you?" The first thing that came to mind I was not going to share, because of humility. Then God clearly pointed it out today and I know He wants me to humble myself and share my sin. So, here it goes. God has changed me by making me more responsible financially. Ugh. Here's what happened today... I can just feel God pushing me out of my comfort zone here to share. I used to spend money I did not have. I was completely irresponsible with money. I took out cash advances thinking I would just pay it off next pay check. Well today I got a call from a collection agency from an account I had 4 years ago! I was sick to hear that I still owe money from that long ago. And even more sick, because I don't have a job with an income. My job as a mama is better than any job out there, but today I am feeling like I should be the one paying back this debt. I know that Luke's money is my money and mine is his now, but I feel like I should be the one working to pay that back. I am absolutely blown away by the grace that Luke has shown me. BLOWN AWAY! I don't deserve it at all! I love that through this I see Jesus shine through Luke and am so blessed by that!
He has changed me and changed me some more. Now I find myself happy with what I have. I don't blow money on extras. Well sometimes, but even my "extras" are different than they used to be. I make gifts out of what I have on hand if I can. We've gotten rid of so much extra junk that we don't need and have minimized so much of our stuff (Over and over. I think we have gotten rid of all we can and find more to get rid of). We have cut out cable and extra bills that we thought we couldn't live without (and don't even miss!) We share a car. We have cut our bills by 25% by the grace of God! Truly it was not us! Our flesh wants all the extra stuff! God has specifically changed me by making me grateful for what I have and especially grateful to be at home with the kids.
That is one way God has changed me! I wanted to send this out before I change my mind about sharing it. I know God has led me to do it, because my heart certainly didn't want to.

I was going to answer this question again, but one of the girls in the group answered almost exactly what I was thinking. She let me share her response here. I couldn’t have said it better!

God has changed me in so many ways! He has changed my priorities, the way I look at other people, the way I look at the world. But the biggest change I've noticed is that I actually want to change. I used to be so comfortable in my sin, wanting to wallow in it, justifying why I should be allowed to be in it. But now I truly, everyday, want to be a better person. I want to be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend. Not because I feel like I have to, but out of gratitude for the price Jesus paid for me to be a child of God and be able to commune with Him every moment. I long for time to be in His word, praying for Him to change me, to clean my cup from the inside out. I don't like to just be all shiny on the outside and feel all ucky inside. I like that I'm a work in progress and He's not finished with me yet, and that I have amazing friends who I can be real with. God has re-defined me as a genuine person, not aiming to fit in or be successful in the world's eyes, but through His eyes, based on His standards.

Worry is the other area God has changed for me. Over the last 4 years, He has truly changed my heart to lean on Him, not to worry about things. He's shown up and provided for my family in ways I could never have imagined. My faith is stronger than it ever has been, and I truly have peace that God will provide, no matter what. Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about ANYthing, but in EVERYthing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

How Has God Changed You?

1 comment: