There is something powerful when you can truly say you had an encounter with God.

I can recall a few times in my life when I specifically sensed God's presence by my side, in me, around me. I know there are probably many more "ordinary" moments when I either don't sit still enough to recognize His presence or simply take it for granted. So that makes the times when He does get my attention even more special. I ask Him to please do so more often, for I am a failed human being who needs constant reminders of His power. (My prayer is literally, "God, please whack me upside the head when You need to get my attention." That's really what I pray!)

His power is what I sensed on Saturday night as I drove back from Lexington. On the one hand, His power was gentle, as I felt Him accompanying Kaelyn and I on our drive home. Kaelyn had moments of fussiness on the 1 1/2 hour drive. On the way to Lexington that morning, I had pulled over at a rest stop when she cried and fed her with no hesitations. But there was something more intimidating about stopping to feed her at night. So I prayed that God would give her rest and give us a peaceful drive. She had two times of crying, but both times God provided comfort to her so she slept again and comfort to me, knowing that He was with us. I felt as if He was riding right in the car with us!

What an amazing God that He would promise to be present with every believer in such a personal way. A huge God caring about every single human being. Unfathomable!

During those minutes (that seemed like hours!) while Kaelyn was crying, I realized something: my heart broke for her to hear her cry, knowing that I was in the front seat and not back there to comfort her. Yet I also knew that she was really OK and just tired and that if she let herself, she could be calmed enough to get to sleep. I knew she was in no real trouble. Yet how does it break God's heart to hear the cries of people who are in real trouble?

I tried to imagine the pain God must see on a daily basis where innocent young lives are abused and cannot stop the abuser, where elderly people are neglected and can do nothing to change their situations, and where others cry out because they are not whole and they do not know the One who can fill them. How God's heart must break to hear their cries. I prayed for God's gentle, comforting power to be present in those lives.

[As I see that my thoughts were longer than originally intended (as usual!) I will put these next ones in another post to break things up for you, dear reader! ; ) ]

I like my job! Not everyone can say that, so I feel truly blessed. God has given me certain skills, and I want to use them for His glory. Editing ENCOUNTER--The Magazine, I get to use those skills to help teens connect with God in a deeper way.

As an editor, I have the opportunity to come into contact with terrific writers who can put thoughts about God and life into articulate terms. Just by working on ENCOUNTER, I grow as a Christian. I get to see other people's creative thoughts, inspired by God's word and Spirit, and as I proofread, I gain from the process. At the same time, I hope and pray that there will be teens who later pick up the magazine and connect as well.

I also enjoy the times when I get to help some not-so-great writers. When I see people with awesome ideas who may not know just the right way to put them on paper, I have a great time coming alongside and trying to bring out the best in them. I never realized that would be such a gratifying experience! I used to think being an editor just meant that I was a picky person, but I can step back and see a higher calling -- I am there to bring out the best in a writer and through that work, call out to teen readers in the best way possible.

I came to a realization over a year or so ago that I like doing the same thing in life. I enjoy listening to people and being there as they work through situations. I might not always have a solution, but I try to be there with them in the journey and give any help that I can. There is a joy when I discover that God may have used me to help to bring out the best in that person. In doing so, I become an editor of life! I take no credit on my own (because I usually don't even remember what I did to help!) but realize that God can use someone as flawed as me to do something on this earth for Him.

Praise God for working through (and despite!) imperfect people.