As I Ponder the Past and Look Forward to the Future

Matt and I moved to Charlotte after not “fitting in” too well in Raleigh. We had family there but didn’t really feel like we were thriving. We decided to move to Charlotte in 2004 after several things told us to leave. I know now that God had planned this move. Pastor Rob has said it before but God wanted to grow us. We were stewing; we were taking up space in a pew. He didn’t want us to be Billy Graham’s but he wanted us to be the best Matt and Dee Langley we could be. So here we come to Charlotte and the very first weekend we get here we come to Southbrook, which was the first weekend for Southbrook in the new building. I have walked into many churches where I felt “at home” but the things that we were going to do here I had no clue. He began to work on me immediately. I have always loved to sing and have been told many times that I have a great voice. Although I knew deep down that I would never be Celine Dion. This was a painful dream to die but I kept hearing God say; “no, you have other talents. It is time for you to use them.”

Dee: “But God all I want to do is sing. Please just let me sing. I will sing of your praises everywhere but please just let me sing.”

“No, I know what is best and this is not what I created you for, let it go.”

Dee: “But you wouldn’t give me this desire if this isn’t what you wanted me to do. It says so in your word.”

Dee: “Hello? Aren’t you going to respond?’

And that is when he started to change my heart.

I have worked in children’s ministry before but did NOT feel like that is where God wanted me. I think I have a deep voice or sometimes can come across as sounding stern, I thought that I would scare the children! But obviously God knows better. As I began working at Southbrook I HATED IT! God is more interested in your character not your comfort! OH BOY! Did I ever have some growing pains but I began to see what his desire for me was. It was to use the goof-ball in me to reach children that otherwise weren’t being reached. Where I hadn’t been able to fit in before I do with these children! I am not done growing and I am sure God will stretch me some more but over the past three years I have truly found my heart’s desire!

Prayer Requests:

We have an immediate need for prayer. Carl our 7 yr old who has been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum went to the ENT on Monday. He has a hole in his ear drum that is about 40% of his ear drum. He has so much scar tissue in his ear they are pretty sure that two of his ear bones are gone. On Friday February 1st he will go in for his third ear operation. Will you please pray with us that God will bless the surgeon’s hands, heal Carl’s ear, and perfect a healing in his body! Also, and this is a selfish prayer, I am such a goof-ball and have always loved being me but have found myself hurting over not being able to “fit” into the life that I saw everyone else having. I don’t have a lot of friends and I always used to. I also always wanted (and still do) desire to have a close bond with a woman (besides my mother). Someone who gets me and wants to help me grow, keep me accountable, and I return the favor to her as well.

Thanks for reading and praying. Have a great week!