My Faith Move

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My husband and I are currently on a faith walk. It seems the Lord walks us through this crazy life by taking faith steps. We step out in faith, learn to live there, begin to get comfortable and then he wants us to take another step. Man, I just want to stay comfortable!

We are in the process of moving. Moving in itself can be difficult. However, this move is one that is taking place because God is saying, “go,” not because we want a different house. As we are packing, painting and getting the house ready to rent, we are taking a step closer to the dream and vision God has given us.

The other day we went looking for new places to live and walked away feeling very discouraged. We have a nice home, the kids have friends, they attend a fantastic school, and we have a great church. When we move, we will be moving to a smaller place for more money, trusting in God that our renters will pay on time and not trash our home, we will have to meet new people, etc. During this process, I began to grumble and question the Lord’s calling and process in our lives. I began to seek God for some much-needed peace.

He revealed to me Exodus 14:11-14. The Israelites are fleeing Egypt. They were released from their captive and are pursuing their freedom; the plan of God has for them. However, Pharaoh, who once held them captive, is also chasing them. They are stuck between the past and their future, a Pharaoh (past) and a massive body of water (future beyond the water). God’s people begin to grumble and complain. They begin to question God’s plan of pursing the promise land. “Why can’t we just stay in Egypt, we had a place to live, nice schools, my kids had friends.” Ok Lord, I hear you!

Moses responded, “Do not be afraid, see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” I found my peace in this message. I am not going to be stuck in a land that is not my home. I am going to purse the promise the Lord has given to Josh and me. When I feel pressured, overwhelmed, and downright scared I need to remember to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord is going to make room for his plan.

So, we are stepping out in faith. The Lord will not allow us to get comfortable. We are moving toward our promise land. When I take my eyes off him and begin to grumble, the Holy Spirit reminds me of the Israelites trapped between the comfortable and the salvation of the Lord. He will never leave me or abandon me, not at the red sea, not in our move . . . never.

The Daffodil

Have you ever watched a Daffodil open? I went to the store this morning for some much-needed coffee. While I was in line, I noticed a huge box of daffodils. Only 6 long stem, cut daffodils for $1.50. I could not resist. I bought a dozen of these yellow beauties. When I got home, I cut the stems and put them in my favorite vase. As I sat them on my kitchen table, they looked a little funny and not very beautiful. Here were 12 green stems with brown, skinny looking pods on the top. You couldn’t tell they were daffodils let alone flowers. However, I knew that overtime they would open and display their beautiful splendor.

An hour later, I sat down at the table to work on the computer. As I was trying to put my thoughts on paper, I heard a crack. I looked around to see if something fell out of the trash (the trash needed to be emptied). No trash on the ground. My eyes were drawn to the daffodils. There in the center of my vase was a flower breaking free from its protective layer. The sound was one of transformation. I sat still watching that flower. I swear I could see it grow right in front of me. It was painfully slow but I could see the tip of the yellow flower showing its color. Over the next couple of hours, the flower completely broke from its case and began its journey to full bloom.

As I sat at my computer, working on a leadership message my mind and eyes wanted to keep focused on the flowers. Are people like these daffodils? How often do we work with people who are surrounded by their protective cover? How often do we get the opportunity to watch the beauty within break forth? Each one of us is that beautiful bud that was creativity made by the God of the universe. All we need is to be placed in a vase, watered, and allowed to flourish.

My prayer is that as I am given opportunities to lead people I would look at each person as a beautiful flower that needs time, attention, and proper nutrition to be what they are created to be. As you work with people at work, students in your classrooms, the children in your homes, or the people at church remember that each one is a beautiful bud waiting to bloom. Handle with care and enjoy the transformation.

His Past Faithfulnes Demands My Present Trust

Today I had an opportunity to sit in Chapel at Azusa Pacific University. We sang, Great is Thy Faithfulness. Have you ever let the words of a song sink into the depth of your soul? Have you ever felt the words melt into your spirit?

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

God is so very faithful. Our Abba Father never changes. There is no place that he hides . .he is light and he is everywhere. His compassion for us never fails. He understands our deep needs and our pains and He desires to fix them. He has been faithful for thousands of years and will continue to be for thousands more.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning my morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided:
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Every morning I awake to a new day with a clean slate. God has provided me a new opportunity to live for him, to share his love, and to be his hands and feet extended.

My favorite line in this song (at least this week) is "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided." I think sometimes in this crazy life that I live I forget that God has provided so much. I get stuck in a rut and have a tendency to focus on the negative. Josh, my wonderful husband, often says, "His past faithfulness demands my present trust" God has been totally faithful to me and because of that I need to trust him in my current circumstance. No mater what my surroundings look like, no mater what I feel, I MUST trust God. All I have ever needed he has provided so why should I not trust him in this situation?

So I began to think. I need to list all that God has done for me. As a reminder of how faithful he is and to remember to trust him now. So here is what I can come up with (I know there is more. . but this is a start):

* He gave me wonderful parents. They loved each other to the very end. They gave me a wonderful example of a Godly relationship.
*He gave me a fun, beautiful, and passionate sister. She is my encourager, my cheerleader, and sometimes my sandpaper ;)
*He gave me a wonderful husband. Josh is my best friend, my lover, and he makes me laugh all the time. God knew what I needed. Often I say to him that my life would be very boring without him!
*He gave me my beautiful Ashley. She is my beautiful princes. She is smart, compassionate, artistic, and a social butterfly. I am so proud of who she is becoming. I will never forget the experience of holding her for the first time. She has truly changed my life.
* He gave me my Samuel. My little man. He is loving, caring, smart, and tender hearted. He amazes me by the stories he can tell and blows me away by the way that he prays. He is my fulfillment of prophesy.
* He gave me Josiah and Daniel. My surprises. They are the physical representation of the spiritual work God was doing inside of me. Everyday they are a reminder that God is in control and that His plans far exceeds my ability to grasp His goodness for us.
* He gave me wonderful In-laws. A Mother in-law that loved me, encouraged me, and gently taught me how to be a better women, wife, and mother. A Father in-law that is an amazing rock. He always gives great counsel, he listens, and loves me like I was his biological daughter.
* He gave me a group of ladies in college that I so desperately needed and still need today. He brought me into relationships that challenged me, that provided stability to me, and gave me amazing life long friends.
* He gave me the opportunity to serve him and get paid for it! How cool is that! To do what you love, to serve people and Him, and get a paycheck. I totally miss being in that realm.
* He gave me friends. Men and women that have encouraged me, helped me, comforted me, loved on me, and supported me.
* Over and over He has provided for me. He gave us a car. Provided groceries. He has kept my kids closets packed with clothes without ever having to purchase a thing. He has provided paid vacations. He has given me opportunities to speak to groups of leaders.

The list could go on and on. God is so very faithful. Reminding myself of his faithfulness makes it easier to trust him today. What about you? How has God been faithful to you?

Lord, thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for all that you have provided. Forgive me for my unbelief, for not trusting you. As I walk down this road called life may my countenance, actions, and words reflect you. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning. Amen