My Transformation

Last Friday, I was thinking to myself, "My how my taste in vehicles has changed since my husband entered my life." Since I got my driver's license at 16, I have owned nothing but small cars; the largest was a Hyundai Elantra, if that tells you anything! I had company vehicles during my tenure at Pepsi, and those were small vehicles too, although I didn't have a choice in that matter. After I left Pepsi and lost the use of a company vehicle, my husband and I decided that it would be best for me to drive his "bought and paid for" '96 Chevy Silverado. It's guzzling gas and so we set out to find an inexpensive, yet reliable vehicle, that we could pay cash for. (yes, I'm a Dave Ramsey geek!) His father found me a Nissan Altima first. There were some outstanding issues with the paperwork, so he set out to find another option. He found a GMC Jimmy and I love it!!!

Who would have thought that the woman who dreams of owning a Mini Cooper one day, would be excited about a '95 GMC Jimmy?! Well, since my husband was brought into my life, I have a new-found appreciation for trucks...the weight and protection that I feel while driving them, the respect and not-quite-so curious look I get when driving the back-country roads in my work territory, and the ability to load up just about anything and get it where it needs to go. He brought that perspective to my life and I am grateful for the eye-opening experience.

This weekend, we started a new sermon series at church, "Transformed to be Transformers," which prompted me to also consider how I have changed since Jesus became a part of my life.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~Romans 12:2

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven. ~Matthew 5:16

I know that the fact that I'm even writing this blog is a huge transformation for me in the "do not conform" department. We had a guest preacher, a missionary from Haiti that said, "Be the thumb." If the palm of your hand represents the Earth and your fingers, the people, you be the thumb. You are there, on the ground (not high and mighty) working below to serve and help the others, but yet standing apart...looking different. I've never quite fit in the crowd, per se, but I do struggle with resisting the urge to conform. For instance, I still don't feel comfortable witnessing to just anyone, and maybe I never will. But it is comforting to know that it is enough for my God that I can serve him and my neighbors and let that be my way of drawing people closer to him.

Only God can judge whether the change in me is genuine or adequate, but I do strive to remember and live by the above scriptures. I pray that my transformation never ends, and that it is always as exciting as this phase of my transformation. But, if it is his will that the rest of my transformation is a long, lonely walk in the wilderness, I will praise him for what he has allowed me to do and be so far.