Friday, October 8, 2010

Remembering...

I have not always walked with the Lord.

Surprise!!! :)

No really, there was a time when I pretty much ran the other way. I used to love Metallica and Pantara (can still sing you every word to Enter Sandman). I loved big hair bands, smoked cigarettes, went to bars and did stupid stuff.

I am not proud of it, and to be honest there are times when I forget that that is part of my past. Because I am so NOT proud of it, I sometimes sweep it under the rug and try not to let people see the lumps.

Last weekend I went to a dueling piano bar. Have you ever been to one? I haven't ...not sure they had them when I was a bar hopper... or that I would have gone, they want money to play music and I only wanted to spend my money on booze.

But last weekend a friend was having a bachelorette party and I thought I would go. The piano playing part sounded like fun, and I like the girls, and I didn't have to drink so it seemed like a good enough time.

Oh my goodness! Our waitress looked about as old as my S and was wearing next to nothing. I wanted to tell her to go back to her room and put clothes on.

The music was fun, I knew most of the songs, and I did sing. I enjoyed the talent of the guys playing piano's!! Seriously, they get paid to play songs by request, and they play them from memory...and sing them! THAT is talent...although I don't know why they waste it in a bar.

The place was packed with people... and all I could think of was... I don't belong here any more. This used to be me... but thank you Jesus it's not any more.

I caught myself being judgemental...then realized I was there. I was that person. I am still that person. The only difference is that I now know the one that died so that I didn't need to find myself at the bar looking for what it is that I was missing.

I can still sing those Metallica songs, and I will admit to getting a nostalgic when I hear one.

The thing is that I cannot forget from where it is that I come from... (I think that's from a John Mellancamp song...lol) No really... I could still be there, or worse...

I am no better...just have Savior inside of me who is....

Thank goodness because if not, the old me would have decked the little twerp in the bathroom that told me I look just like her mom!!! :)

5 comments:

James 1:27 Family said...

Hilarious about the "mom comment!"

Thanks for a great reminder that "There is none good. No not one."

I get really hard on people sometimes and that's just not how Jesus intended for us to be. I don't think anyone ever got saved from being looked down on or chastised. :)

Much love,
Amy

Unknown said...

I am so with you on this and so thankful that I am a new creation in Christ, old things have gone, new things have come.

I wouldn't beat yourself up about being judgemental. It's hard to realize how fallen this world is and realize that these people have NO hope beyond salvation in Jesus Christ. That's not judgemental, that's truth! We are not of this world, our citizenship is in heaven and we realize that when we see the fallen state of this world.

Thanks for the reminder that this life now is greater than anything I could have ever been without Him.

Christie

Unknown said...

Andrea,

That was so WELL SAID and SO ME!! I was the same way sista! But I thank God now that I am changed although I admittedly still miss some of that stuff. It's AMAZING how God can transform us huh?
AMEN!
Jen

LisaShaw said...

Oh friend, I can RELATE to the parts of our past we are not proud of and to be thankful that JESUS is the reason we are no longer that way. Makes me humbled and makes me pray more for all who are still searching (in the wrong places) for what only HE can give them.

You said it best in these two paragraphs:

The place was packed with people... and all I could think of was... I don't belong here any more. This used to be me... but thank you Jesus it's not any more."


Love you much!

I caught myself being judgemental...then realized I was there. I was that person. I am still that person. The only difference is that I now know the one that died so that I didn't need to find myself at the bar looking for what it is that I was missing.

Anonymous said...

Oh I do love you so!!! And I do so love this post :)