He will bring you through it.

I keep seeing this quote on Pinterest. "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Recent events have really put this on my mind. 

You know how you always have those "hopefuls" in your life? I had one for quite awhile. I finally found myself asking God to give me a sign either way the next time I met with the "hopeful". Despite all of the signs I thought I had before pushing things in one direction, this time, the signs strongly pushed the opposite. I know for certain that this "hopeful" doesn't want to pursue any deeper relationship with me.

Now, I know things like this happen all of the time. But...after tons of mental "what ifs" that kept playing in my brain...this time was different. I immediately felt peace of knowing that it was over. Yes, I was sad, but for only a day or so. Strange but true. What brought me through it was God! 

This summer was going to be a big break with not a lot of things planned. In an almost impulsive decision, I decided to help a friend by being in a dinner theater production of Annie for several small parts. Little did I know that this is what would bring me through it. I went to rehearsal the next night and haven't had a bad feeling since about the outcome of the hopeful situation. God definitely brought me through it. 

Naturally, I wondered why I spent so much time thinking about this person rather than opening myself up to new possibilities. Then, I realized, that I WAS opening myself up. Just because the possibilities aren't the romantic types yet, I've met a great group of people and challenged myself to something totally new and fun. Sometimes, God answers prayers by turning your attention in a completely new direction. Sometimes, those answers actually make me laugh! Always, those answers make me a better ME! 

God's timing IS perfect.

We hear this statement a lot. But how many times do we doubt God? I know I have! I have the problem of grabbing back my insufficient feelings and not letting Him really take care of it.

This weekend, I had a big case of God's timing. On Friday, we had Reward Day at school. As a itinerant teacher, I had to cover for all of the teachers at the time I would normally have had their class. This resulted in a day in the heat and on my feet for about 6 hours. It was exhausting. Then, I had scheduled to have dinner with a new friend and we chatted until late, so I never got home until 11:30 that night. 

The perfect timing came to fruition on Saturday. I was supposed to go out with a special friend that I hadn't seen in months. I was so excited about our plans that when I received a call canceling our plans earlier in the week, that I was truly disappointed. Needless to say, I was so exhausted from the day before, that when Saturday arrived, I was almost glad to have the chance to rest. Three naps later, I figured it out. It was God's timing. God didn't make my friend sick. Instead, the timing of his sickness and my exhaustion worked together. 

So, as I wait on God to let me know if I'm going to be single forever or find the man He wants in my life, I have to keep reminding myself that God is in control. He knows when things are supposed to happen. His timing is completely perfect.

Cleanliness Next to Godliness

I have to confess...I'm a slob. I've let the stuff of the world creep into my life over the years. It's funny really, because if you look at my closets and drawers, they're neatly organized. Then, there's the rest. I get stuck and everything ends up in piles all over the house. Parts have been so bad that my nieces told me I need to go on Clean House. One even told me that I can't get married because my house would blow up by adding my husband's stuff to mine. 

So, is cleanliness next to Godliness? I'm starting to think it is. When my house is clean, I have more time to focus on God and the clutter doesn't creep in. When my house is clean, my mind is less stressed because I'm not fretting over all of the things I need to do. When my life is organized, I'm not forgetting things and feeling guilty later. By being "clean" in my life, my mind can spend more time celebrating God's creation.


This leads me to my goal. I've set a goal for myself this year to totally organize my house including paperwork. I've been working on it little by little. Before Easter, I did this with my room at school so much that I was exhausted and burning out by the time it came to working at home on it. Instead, I spent a lot of time on Pinterest and the organizing blogs that keep me inspired to try.


So, over the summer break, I will be spending those hot days inside getting organized. Why? Because I need peace of mind. I need to know that someone can drop by without being embarrassed. I need to know that I can concentrate on helping others without being overcome with my mess. I need to feel like I have my life in control because God has helped me get there. 

Where, Oh Where, Should My Tithing Go?

I've been facing a dilemma lately. Where do I send my tithe? There are so many places that need help...poverty, children, and spiritual outreaches among them. 

Does God want us to tithe to our church or spread it out a bit? Does He want us to give it to something that spiritually fills us as well like a Christian broadcast? Where, oh where, should it go?


Yesterday, we were told that the church fund is depleted for giving to those in need in our own community. For awhile, I've been sending my tithe to the global church needs. Now, I know where I need to give. God put it on my heart. I pulled out what I could from my wallet to put in the offering immediately and will mail a check for the rest. I need to take care of those in my community.


My friends and I teach children in our community who are affected by these extreme needs. I see the direct effects on children who aren't getting their basic needs met regularly. It changes them completely when they are hungry and tired. They can't concentrate and attitudes become extreme in apathy or poor choices. 


God has so many areas where we can give. It's not like He tells us exactly where it should go, but I know He will put it on your heart if you listen to it. I know my tithe is going to do God's work somewhere in the world.

“The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' " (Matthew 25:40)

Revelation

I've had a few emotional weeks which came to a complete pinnacle last week. Looking back, it bothers me that I let something out of my control get to me so much. I was in pain physically, as well, so it didn't make it easier to avoid. Thankfully, I have friends and family who were very supportive. I am now out of my "funk".

What did it take? Prayer and scripture...LOTS of it! Also, talking to several people helped me remember another perspective.

What's my revelation? It should be obvious. This came from a quick conversation with a good friend who told me that I need to be the best me I can be and let God take care of the rest. I haven't been doing that. I've been letting things go and letting my "funk" control me. No more! It's time to take back my life! So, from now on, I will do my best to focus on improving me to be better than what I am now. Easy? NO! Possible? YES! I'm planning to enjoy this ride from now on and have a better attitude about the world. Even though it's not perfect, it is filled with God's creation and "God don't make junk."

How can you be the best YOU you can be?

Single's Envy

I struggle with envy. It's a sin against God. It's not really loving someone to be envious of them. Yet, I still have trouble keeping it out of my life. There are so many things in life we can envy of our peers whether married or not. My biggest struggle is with peers who are finding love that are younger than me or that are finding love after divorces while I still remain single. I know God has a plan for me. I know that He will find me the person I'm supposed to be with in His work on earth.

Most of all, I'm praying a lot about this. It's amazing how reading scripture (or listening to it through my phone app) helps. God will help me through this and through all of the other things I keep trying to take back from Him. Lord, I'm loosening my grip. Take this from me. Amen.

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17


"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot." Proverbs 14:30


"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" Galatians 5:2

God Speaking

Image from Sodahead.


Today, I've been slowed down a bit as a result of a serious fall yesterday. So while I nurse my injury, I decided to learn from Dr. Charles Stanley on TV.

This sermon was so meaningful to me that I watched it twice and found the sermon notes online. You can find it here:

Sermon - In the School of Faith, Part 6: Walking in Faith

It really hit me how we are supposed to live. I've fought being single for a long time. I've cried to God to ask Him when will my time come to be married. I know now as I get older that God has something extra special planned for me. So many people get married just because they are desperate or feel it's their only chance. Honestly, I was probably there in my late 20s and 30s. Yes, it still hurts when young women are getting married and divorcees find new loves when I rarely get a nibble. 

Dr. Stanley's sermon helped me today. In the last 6 months, I have made a lot of life changes. A lot of spiritual life changes. God was actually waiting on me to get where I need to be. As Dr. Stanley taught, we need to listen to God, obey Him, depend on Him, and wait on Him. I was doing it in the wrong order! I wasn't listening. I was obeying somewhat, but I didn't depend on Him. I tried to do things my way and naturally, I messed it up. I've been waiting on Him, but not fully. That's changing now.

Dr. Stanley also recommended to write down when God speaks to you. He really does. I have several times I can remember already. One big time was when I was heading out and something told me to change my pants from shorts to jeans. Little did I know that I would be in an accident within the hour. Had I not listened, my legs would have been cut from the glass that flew in my driver's side door. 

If we wait on God, He will speak to us. It may not be through a burning bush with a loud voice or with writing on the wall. It may just be in an subtle way or through a circumstance. When we look back at life, we realize that God does have a plan. He is protecting us and wants the best for us. All He wants in return is for us to depend on Him 24/7 for every decision we make, even the little ones.

How has God spoken to you recently? 

As I was finishing this post, I googled God Speaking and a video by Mandisa came up first. If that's not God speaking, I dont' know what is. Here's the video God Speaking-Mandisa.