I Hate Country Music....but....

I hate country music, which is both a dangerous and brave confession for a Texas girl. I love Texas and nearly everything about Texas culture except country music.

Today I was driving home from visiting my mom. My car radio has a button that I push to scan through radio stations. Somehow it landed on an old school country station that was playing Johnny Cash. Because I watched I Walk the Line I am a Johnny Cash fan, just like all the other "the movie made me a convert" fans. The station played this song When I Get Where I'm Going right after by Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton. That song made me cry like a five year old because it is about the things they will do when they get to Heaven.

Five years ago eternity terrified me. Today it ignites joy and passion. The difference between the reactions comes down to one word, Jesus. I know Him.

The third verse in Mr. Paisley's song talks about when he finally sees his Maker's face. Every time the thought of seeing His face chokes me up. Sometimes I fall off the edge of control and bawl my eyes out.

For so long the story of grace sounded like a mythical place that the "chosen ones" discovered. I always heard about the song of salvation, but I never caught on to the melody. Everything changed with one turn of a car radio dial. It wasn't a song, it was a word, The Word.

http://www.theimplantedword.com/

At that moment I knew God reached out to me. To make a long story short I said YES Yes to eternal life. Yes to salvation from my sin. Yes to a new beginning. Yes to a relationship with God, all gifts wrapped up in the amazing Jesus. At that moment I knew all of this is real and true because I met Jesus. Now it wasn't an it at all. It was a Him.

In these past five years, I have heard His voice. He speaks all time; in His Word, to my heart, through His Holy Spirit, and I recognize His voice. I have felt His presence; at my church, in my house, in my car, in the prison, at a loved one's funeral. I know in my heart He is real.

But I cannot wait for that day when I see His face, when faith is sight. I know I will say "You were worth it all!

Then, I changed the radio to Push It by Salt 'n Pepa. I was driving after all...at 75mph. It is dangerous to sob uncontrollably at those speeds!