​The One Awkward Moment 
 
This past weekend I was visiting my youngest daughter at college. It was a great day watching her get selected into a sorority. My family and I said our goodbyes headed back home. We were having a great time traveling back, my dad and I were talking about hunting and the things we talk about. We were about half way home when I started not feeling so great but didn’t really think anything about it. It was a very hot day, so I thought I was dehydrated or didn’t eat enough at lunch. We were about 6 miles away from the exit when the fun and exciting day was about to change. It hit me like nothing has every hit me before. There was pain in my chest and left arm, my heart was pounding out my chest. As I was approaching the exit, I shared this with my family. They called 911 and the ambulance met us there at the gas station. 
 
Once they got me in the ambulance to check out my heart rate it was at 166 and my blood pressure was 200/120. I saw the look the EMTs gave each other and heard one say this is not good. Once I arrived at the hospital, I had so many people around me in the ER. After they got me settled, they told me that they would be taking me back to have an ECHO done of my heart.  As I waited I was listening to Casting Crowns on my phone. This song came on called, “One Awkward Moment.” It’s about someone sharing their story about how Christ saved them and used them to reach someone else.  The song really touched me and how true it was. I was trying to keep my mind off of what was going on with me because I still had no idea. Then, the door opened and this kid told me that he would be taking me to get my ECHO. As he wheeled me down the hall, I had no idea what God was about to do.  
 
We went in to this dark room and there sat this lady who was ready to start running test on me. She was getting all the equipment ready to go and I was so nervous inside. So I started talking with her about her day and what not - how long she has been doing this job, etc. You know, small talk to keep my mind off of me and what was taking place.  She was began to tell me about her kids and grandkids.  However, she had a middle daughter she didn’t share a lot about, so I asked more quests about her middle daughter. She became really quiet and did seem to want to talk about her. What she didn’t know about me was that I’m in sales and know how to ask very opened questions. She talked about how her daughter had just moved out of her house at the age of 17 and was running with the wrong crowd. I saw the hurt in her eyes and then all of sudden the tears started to come down her face. I thought in my head how sad and I felt so bad for her. Then all of sudden, God reminded me of that song I was just listening to and to say yes that “Awkward Moment” was happening now. 
 
See, I have a daughter that did the same thing and only through the love of Christ I was able to get through that time. I shared my own story about my daughter and what Christ did for me. The lady realized that I understood the difficult situation she was in. She then asked one last question that blew my mind. She wanted to know how to get this “Jesus guy” to help her. I looked at her and asked if she knew who Jesus was. She knew the name but no details but was now intrigued because there was a chance that he could help her. I was able to share with her about my Father who loves me and is willing to help His children.  
Sharing our experience with Jesus can change someone’s life. When it feels awkward to share, remember people learn and are helped from our own scars. Don’t let the moment pass you by! Oh, yea so after a few hours and few tests later, I found out I was not having a heart attack, but my heart was out of rhythm and I need meds and stay overnight. That story is on going…  

​I hear each day people say, “I did this or I did that“ but shouldn’t as Christ followers we being saying I loved this person the way the God Loved me. The way to show great love is to show it by loving others more than yourself. Just as Christ did for us. I know this sounds crazy to someone who is not a Christ follower, but If you’re a Christ Follower you know what I mean when I say that. 
 
Think about what people like to follow? People like to follow people that love them. Yes, sometimes it does come to speak the truth, but the truth comes with love not anger.  As a leader in the corporate world I see leaders who don’t lead with love and there I can also show you a team that falls apart. I can show you a leader who leads with love and I will show you a thriving and growing team. There is no difference in being a Christ follower. People want to be loved and if we are going to be Christians we should be like Christ and show love.
 
When I hear the word Christian these days it really causes me to think, what does that word even mean anymore? Because, ask the people around you that are not Christ followers when they hear that word. What do they think? I bet you will hear words like “fake, hypocrite, judgmental, and other descriptions.  Being a Christ follower, I would have to agree with them. Unfortunate people are quick to call themselves Christians but don’t show the love as Christ follower. You may be reading, and this say WOW. The reason I can write on this is because I looked in the mirror as a Christian and saw description they talked about.  
 
There’s a reason why Jesus said the second greatest commandment is like the first: if we love God with all our heart, we will love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). It functions like faith and works; if we truly have the first, the second naturally follows.
 
We may not all agree on certain things in life, but there is one thing that is universal.
 
THAT IS LOVE!!!!! SHARE IT!!