It is inevitable, on this side of heaven, that we are going to face obstacles, that we are going to discover opportunities and that we are going to find ourselves at different forks in the road making a choice of which way we will go. These obstacles, opportunities and choices are the things that make up some of the most interesting aspects of the stories of our lives. They are also the things that create change of some sort. I look back and think of some of the really big events that have changed me: moving away from home, getting married, becoming a mom, going back to work when the boys were small, moving houses, Chris changing careers. At each of these points in my story something about my physical situation became different and change occurred.

There have been other times when it wasn’t as much my physical situation that changed as it was ME that changed. I look back at those times and realize God wasn’t just using the obstacles or opportunities to change me, he was using those things to renew me! I like the definition of renewal that says it is a conversion of one thing into something else, or another definition says it is taking something that is empty and re-filling it. Still another says renewal is a change of mind and heart. CRHP (which officially stands for Christ Renews His Parish) was just such a conversion, a true re-filling of my spiritual cup, a change of my mind and heart. The person I was last October when I started the process is NOT the person I am now that it is done. I started it with a fairly smug opinion of my spiritual closeness to Christ. I didn’t consider myself to be a Bible scholar or volunteer of the year – but I felt good about the little ways I was making a difference in the lives of those I came in contact with. I wasn’t looking for anything transformative to happen to me – but it most certainly did!

The women who held my hand through this journey will be close to my heart for the remainder of my time here on earth and they will certainly dance with me in heaven!   They really helped encourage my renewal by allowing me to feel comfortable with the growth that was taking place and by giving me confidence to be the woman God created me to be. There was Angie who brought meaning and therefore healing to my guilty heart. There was Corelia whose love of the scriptures and submission to the calling of Christ gave all of us a glimpse into the obvious working of the Holy Spirit. There was Gaby whose strength through disability and family struggles was a testament to how beautifully God can use these things to bring people together. There was Grizel who was truly on fire for the Lord – I will never forget the dream she told and how that so perfectly fit into something Tonia was working through. I believe without a doubt that God gave Grizel that dream and placed it on her heart to share it so that Tonia would find comfort and strength in it! Haley and Theresa taught us so much about working through pain and disease and using that to bring glory to God. In spite of their struggles they stepped up to the plate and filled the leadership positions in our group and I am thankful for their committment to us. Beautiful Irene taught me not to hold back tears but more importantly she gave a voice to my thoughts when she called out to Christ to continue to teach her humility. Karen and Paula were in some ways to me like protective mother hens – I always felt their concern for each of us and their kind words were always so perfectly timed and placed. Kim – oh gosh, there aren’t words to describe the impact of her prayers and how much strength she supplied to me immediately before my witness. Kim’s story of her miraculous healing was a beautiful reminder of what God can do and that we should never stop praying or give up hope. God blessed our group so much by giving us Young!  Her steadfast committment to the Lord and her witty sense of humor are such a beautiful combination.  My prayers for her daughters to reach out to her and bring her much needed peace continue to this day.  The sweet gift of Tonia whose place in my life was written in God’s beautiful plan book since the beginning of time. She is a living example for me of God’s redeeming powers, a perfect example of his capacity to turn all things to good. There was Monica whose words have captivated me since our first weekend. She shows me what true trust in the Lord looks like and she gives me courage to submit myself more to his will for my life.  Lisa’s huge heart for her family was nearly broken in two at our first weekend and it was wonderful to see the healing happening in her life through the months of formation.  The deep love she has for her girls is so apparent whenever she mentions their names!  I was so blessed to be co-table leader with Michelle!  What a tremendous amount of quiet concern she has for everyone around her – her resolve and dedication to the Lord brought so much love to everyone at our table.  Thank you God for Yolanda being in our group!  So many of us are drawn to her because of her easy nature and contagious laugh, but what I also see in her is a complex woman with a deep love for family and friends and the Lord.  I am so thankful she allowed me the honor of doing the renewal witness – it was such a healing process for me.  This list would not be complete if I left out my Mom.  She joined our group towards the end of formation to be our facilitator.  I am certain I am not alone in thinking that we could not have done it without her.  Her sense of calm and her loving control over all aspects of the weekend allowed most of us to fully engage in the spiritual beauty of what was going on around us.  She took care of each small detail in the way I believe God wants us to handle things – with compassion and consideration and love. 

Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 4:22-23 – To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.