The Story Behind the Name

When we name something, there is always a story, significance, or reason as to why we've chosen that name. This is my story behind R & R Ministry (Redeemed & Restored Ministry), This new year I decided I would host watching the tv series The Chosen at my place. I am new to the area where I live and have been struggling to make connections and so I decided I'd put myself out there and do something that makes me uncomfortable, inviting people I do not know over to my place. That first night, we watched the first two episodes and I was drawn into the show. I could have totally binged watched the whole thing, however, I decided that's probably not the best idea. Here is where the first word of my site comes in, Redeemed.

In episode two, Nicodemus, a pharisee, comforts Mary of Magdalene about how he had helped heal her from the demons that had possessed her. He asks her, "I want to understand how it happened", and her response is put so elegantly. She told Nicodemus it was nothing that he did that saved her rather it was someone else (Jesus). She told Nicodemus, that this other man had called her by her true name, Mary and that she was His, and that she had been redeemed. When the word redeemed had been spoken, my eyes began to tear up and my heart ached because I knew that I too had been redeemed. I had been redeemed of my abortion, forgiven, and set free for committing such an evil act. Mary continues to share with Nicodemus about her healing and shares that she doesn't fully understand how the healing happened. What she does know is, "I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between... was Him". I cannot relate to Mary being demon-possessed, however, I think many of us can relate to being one way and now are completely different. That is the power of Christ in us. He brings us such healing that at times we cannot even begin to explain or understand. I am living proof of such healing, I committed the evil act of killing my child and that should have left me destroyed, and in many ways, it did for a long time. It wasn't until I fully embraced what I did that the Lord was able to do His wondrous work in me (a story for another time).

Restored. I was scrolling through Instagram one day and saw this post on the word restore. That description of the word restore hit me so hard that I knew that was what I was looking for. Here is what that post showed; "The BIBLICAL meaning of the word "restoration" is to receive back more than has been lost to the point where the final state is greater than the original condition. The main point is that someone or something is improved beyond measure". Man, how many of you want that?? Me Please! I knew when I saw that post that restoration would be a constant prayer of mine. I didn't just want to return to my old self, I want to be improved beyond measure. I think many of us seek that, whether intentionally or not, and it is possible. Through Christ we can experience restoration beyond measure, however, this doesn't mean we can sit back and let Him do all the work. We must be willing to step into the uncomfortableness that growth brings. It is only in walking through the fire, that we experience that transformation. Growth and comfort do not go hand in hand. And it can be very uncomfortable at times but so worth it.

It is my prayer that I can reach the hurting, that I can pour the hope of Christ into others, that through my testimony lives would be saved. It it my hope that through R & R Ministry, people would receive redemption and restoration that Christ offers.

Lord, I lift up those who are hurting to you. You are the only one who can bring redeemption and restoration to our broken lives. You are the only one who can bring about improvement that is beyond measure! Lord, I pray over these words, over my testimony, that You would bring about Your good work. Amen.