Cute story! :)

[Justine]

20. Am I afraid that by giving my life away to others my dream will be lost?

There was this really cute story I heard this past Sunday at Mandarin United Methodist Church from Pastor Curran. ((Awesome service by the way!)) He was preaching a lot on the book of James and also how many of us don't even know our story until we tell it and tell it. Then he told the story of the waterbug. I'm not sure of all the details but this is how I remembered it...


There were lots of waterbugs at the bottom of a river among a bunch of cluttered rocks. They were all clinging onto these rocks in fear. They were miserable, scared and cold. Even in this state, some waterbugs would brag about how their rock was better, or how they had better algae on thier side. But, the reality of the situation was that they were all in the same place. One day one water bug decided that he just couldn't take it anymore, so he just let go of his rock! The current ripped him down and he banged into a few rocks, and it hurt! But then the current kept going and took him further down the river. Eventually he was washed up onto bank and layed there and rested. The sun soon dried him and warmed him. When he got up and looked around, he saw a beautiful calm cove with other waterbugs who were laughing, swimming, eating good food and enjoying life. This was life changing! But now that he has found such a magnificent place, does he have the courage to go back and tell the others of what he has discovered?

I found myself thinking about this story when I was reading lent question number 20. Are we afraid that by telling others our dreams, that ours will be lost? Why are we so afraid to tell others the good news. Just like the Casting Crowns song, "If we are the body, why aren't our arms reaching? Why aren't our feet showing them there IS a way???" Isn't this our purpose. I mean our lives here are just like sitting waiting room until we reach Heaven. What do we have to lose?? Do we have the courage to tell others what we have discovered?

[Katie Ullmann]

:)! And I went through Life Hurts God Heals which is the youth version that I think started and fizzled out with my group at least last time I heard. Have you been to MUMC lately with the new pastors? My mom says she likes them, but I haven't heard them cause now I'm a member of CrossRoad as well! :)

[Justine]

Hey, I kinda church hop. Lol. But I do go to Celebrate Recovery there. I went to the 9:45 service and will probably go back. I am a member at Crossroad UMC though. But MUMC is growing on me, and Pastor Curran is AWESOME!!!!

[Katie Ullmann]

Hey, you go to MUMC? I grew up going to Mandarin UMC for years. I just was looking through the blogs and noticed you mentioned MUMC and Curran in the same sentence and thought I'd ask. What service did you go to?