You know, I'm ashamed to say so, but she/he/it has influenced my Christian walk in more ways than I care to admit. For years I've been so afraid, for lack of a better word, of being like this silly thing, that I've let that keep me from being the bold witness that I should have been. I bet you've probably thought similar things... "I don't want to sound preachy... goody-two-shoes... judgmental... churchy..." You get my drift. You see, I wanted to be real, and I loved Jesus, and yes, I have seen women just like this character. And yes, I can't say that they were brimming over with the love of God. And I have never, ever wanted to exhibit the negativity of this character. But to take it to the lengths I've taken it? To be bound by somebody's comedy routine? Not speak up? Not invite people to events because they might run into someone like the oh so dreaded Church Lady (which of course would never be me!!)? To try to shield every conversation, interaction, encounter from any semblance of this fake, not even real "person"? I must say... Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water!! Shame on me...

Here's what really brought this to my attention. It's actually been a culmination of many things- thinking about my friend Jana who recently passed away, reading of people sold out to God- Amy Carmichael, most recently. It has truly convicted me how these few names I've mentioned kept their eyes solely focused on God above. They were set on obedience, nothing more and nothing less. Then they let the chips fall where they may. And do you know what? More often than not, those "chips" fell to the Glory of God. I have come to a much too recent conclusion that obeying God is going to bring Him glory a WAY lot more than my trying to not be the stupid church lady! Oh, my God, please forgive me for letting the world cloud my sight and interfere with my obedience!

Let's face it- people are not saved and brought into the Kingdom of God because of a really smooth, slick sales presentation of the gospel. Nickelodeon never saved anyone. God is good, sin is bad, Jesus saves and gives living water and abundant life- THAT'S the good news! And Church Lady can't touch that... unless I let her. I think I've listened to her garbage long enough. Lord, I want to turn over a new leaf in my life. I want to say the words God gives me to say. I want to be a living testimony of just how worthy He is. And if someone wants to make a few laughs about that, then bring it on.

I hope I don't come across as someone who has an axe to grind. It's just that I've been feeling sooooo convicted about this area of my life lately. Plus, it's been a while since I've been able to blog and pour my heart out to the cyber world at large. So please excuse me if I speak a little stronger than usual. I promise I will return to the ever so sweet, adorable blogger you've been accustomed to... (Now that I've got that blasted Church Lady out of my system!!!)