Mission Memories in Memphis

“Then The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals for you are standing on holy ground. I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.'”
Acts 7:33-34

This week is the SOS-Service Over Self mission trip. Many youth from FUMC are currently serving in Memphis in the name of Jesus. This particular trip is significant to me because Memphis is my home town. Memphis is “holy ground” to me because it is where I met “That Jesus” at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1978 but it is also my “Egypt”, my place where captivity began. May I add, that I myself am responsible for those years of bondage and by the grace of God, HE alone is responsible for my deliverance, restoration and fulfillment!

Memphis has always been a bitter/sweet place for me, until The Lord completely removed the “bitter” in 2012/2013. Personalizing Isaiah 61:7-“Instead of her shame, Katie receives a double portion! And instead of disgrace she rejoices in her inheritance…and everlasting joy is hers!” The final paragraph of my “restoration story” began when I ran the 2012 Memphis St. Jude Half Marathon. The location of the course brings back memories of many lost years, a “broken road that led me straight to YOU!” (It was a literal version of the Rascal Flatts song:) What was so incredibly sweet was how The Lord chose to rewrite my script as I ran! HE used an iPod on “random shuffle” (although we know nothing is random with God) with over 2000 songs to put a “new song in my mouth”. Beale Street became “Today is the Day” by Lincoln Brewster, a song that sings my dad’s favorite verse! The rejoicing began! Front street became “Fields of Grace”, as I looked up and saw a “Graceland” sign! “When you say nothing at all” by Alison Krause, is my and Jay’s song, which trumps the Chicago & Lionel Richie, that marked a decade of poor choices. A “random” Catalyst podcast message came on that spoke of rebuilding the ancient ruin, as I passed the Pyramid downtown and the kicker was passing a “house of horrors ” with “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound” forever erasing the voices and the videos in my mind! It may not sound like much to you, but I encountered Jesus “Walking in Memphis, walking with my feet 10 feet off of Beale”!

2013 began a season of burning up the highway between my “promise land and Egypt”. I made many memories with my momma, as she approached “a city with no need for the sun or the moon, for the glory of The Lord illuminates it!” April 19, 2013 was the day my mom walked into the “multitude, beyond what anyone can count, from every tribe, tongue, nation and people standing before throne, before the Lamb dressed in white.” During this driving season of “Jesus take the Wheel” I noticed 2 signs(literally green highway signs:), one said “Canaan” and between Canaan and Memphis was “Olive Branch”! It was always there but I had never seen it! The “Olive Branch” is Jesus and HE is the bridge between “Egypt” and “Canaan”, “Slavery” and “freedom”, Memphis and Huntsville!

Acts 7:33-34 struck me today, as I walked down memory lane! That walk no longer brings tears, except of Joy! It magnifies the greatness of “That Jesus” , instead of highlighting the source of my scars! You see, last summer, shortly after mom’s “Home Going”, my children went on SOS and physically participated in “the rescue of God’s people oppressed in Egypt”-in Memphis! My children were the hands and feet of Jesus, as they answered the “SOS-call for help” and “rebuilt the ancient ruins and restored the places long devastated; they renewed the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations!”(ref Isaiah 61:4)

I can’t help but smile when I think of God’s kindness and how it drew me to repentance! Acts 7:34 ends with “Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt!” God knew Moses had grown, was humbled and completely dependent on HIM; thus HE sent him back to Egypt to set the captives free. God was so very gracious, patient and kind with me. HE waited until I’d grown, was humbled and was living a life totally dependent on HIM before HE sent me back to “Memphis”! HE allowed me to watch, as my children served “my city” by helping the oppressed! HE broke chains of generational bondage on a “roof” and on a “chimney “(see the photos 🙂

Dear Lord,
Thank you for hearing the SOS call of your children and thank you for sending us out as YOUR hands & feet! May we live a “barefoot” life; YOU said to take off our sandals for we are standing on Holy ground. Wherever YOU are is Holy ground & YOU live in us; therefore “where I go, YOU go” making “all ground” HOLY! Thank you for rebuilding, restoring and renewing! Thank you for the double portion and everlasting joy! My answer is always “Yes” whenever YOU say: “Now go, for I am sending you…” By the power of the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Jesus let freedom ring!

GoGod