Go

Service Times

Sunday:

    • 8:30 am Sanctuary
    • 10:30am - Sanctuary
    • 10:30am - Walker Hall
    • 6:30pm - Walker Hall
    • 8:30 &10:30am - CHURCH ONLINE

Contact Us

  • Phone:  
    714-288-4400
  • Email: 
  • Sanctuary Address
    185 S. Center St.
    Orange Ca  92866
  • Walker Hall Address
    184 S. Shaffer St.
    Orange Ca 92866
  • Mailing Address
    154 S.  Shaffer St.
    Orange Ca 92866

 

 

I Need a Spa Day

Posted by Family Ministries on with 2 Comments

So I was thinking I'd like a spa day to start off 2017 the right way.  Who's with me?  I've already subjected myself to a juice cleanse.  Heck, I've kept my resolution for over two weeks now!  That HAS to be some sort of a record, right?  I deserve that spa day!  Scrubbing old skin away, waxing unwanted facial hair...and whatever else comes with a reasonably priced spa package is what I need!  Yep, sign me up. 

As I searched for a Groupon, I thought of all the moments over 2016 that have left me needing this day of pampering.  I remembered days where I thought, prayed, and even cried "Why Lord?!"   I thought about times that later revealed a lesson, or at least times that I was given peace about the "Why?" behind the trial.  What I realized was that many of these "Why?" times were sent by God, or at least USED by God, to refine me.  God wanted to, and wants to, smooth the paths that lead me to His will.  For example, sometimes relationships need to softly be scrubbed away, and sometimes other relationships or things need to be ripped out from the root.  Some of these times left me with painful reminders of what once was, but is no longer.

Once I got done remembering this, I smiled... because smiling’s my favorite. 

Once I got done remembering this, I smiled... because smiling’s my favorite.  I smiled at the thought of the "Spa day".  The thought of it sounded so good to get rid of life's build up over this last year.  But then, I thought, "Why am I going to pay someone to do what God has already done in my life?"  

"Lord, you've exfoliated my heart and it ripped away the things that I held on to a little too tightly. Things and people I thought I needed, have been replaced with things from Your perfect plan." 

Not to say I couldn't use some pampering... but, this year as trials and difficulties arise (they always do), I'm going to try to remember that God goes with me.  Even in the difficult and painful moments God uses all of these times and trials of this journey for new growth.   

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT

Irma Bates
Early Childhood Coordinator

Share This:


Comments

Kattyna Napoleon January 20, 2017 3:58pm

Thank you for sharing this, I truly connected to today's message.

Sarah January 29, 2017 10:12am

Dear Sister,
That Isaiah verse Is precious to my heart. Thank you for sharing it.

Miss you!