Update on being in a new place

Well in just a few short weeks I am amazed at how God works, how quickly He works when we are receptive, how patient He is as we watch in disbelief, and how faithful He is. God doesn't do anything in a small fashion. As His word declares He will see His work through to completion, no half hearted or it's good enough effort for God - He does what He promises, He does it well and He does it completely! It took me a good 2 weeks to grasp the fact that God was answering a prayer that I have been praying for many many years. I was in disblief that what I was seeing was God's hand at work and not just a smooth manipulitive play by an individual. That individual is my husband. My husband has opened his heart to God's promptings and has been acting on those promptings. He has woke up and smelled the coffee! The progress is amazing! I have struggle with knowing if he is seeking God because of/for me or if he is seeking God because that is what God would have him to do. You see if it's for me, then it's wrong motives and it won't stick. Additionally - I would rather Bobby (or anyone for that matter) seek God and Gods direction for who he is suppose to be, and then follow those directions to become the man God wants him to be rather than trying to become what he thinks I want him to be. If he seeks God and follows through with Gods direction - who am I to argue with that! God created Bobby (everyone) to be an amazing individual and has called him to be an exceptional husband and father. As Bobby steps into those shoes what ground would I have to argue or complain? Do you see what I am saying? As a result of this my faith has increased and a my spiritual fire has been stoked! I am trying harder to seek and to listen to God for direction. I am stepping up in areas that have been uncomfortable to step into. My faith eyes have opened a bit wider and I am taking in more of the work that God is doing around me, in my home, in my marriage, in my children, and in me! God has been so good to make sure we are hearing him clearly through confirmations in music we listen to, devotions we read, opportunities becoming available at church, and the sermons we are hearing. NOTHING is COINCIDENTAL! God is at work! I encourage you today - renew your belief in a prayer being answered that you have been praying for. Remind yourself that God's timing is perfect and never late. Remind yourself that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask for or imagine - then sit back and imagine REALLY BIG things and KNOW God is going to deliver beyond that! Lots of love! D. J.

A place I have never been before...

This is going to be a rather difficult post. I don't exactly have the words to say all that I am thinking and going through. You see I have found myself in a new place. I prayed fervently about 10 years ago over something and have continued to pray just not as fervently. I think I kinda gave up on getting the answer that was "abundantly and exceedingly more than I could ask for or imagine" and just decided to be thankful for what God had blessed me with, which was enough. But then all of a sudden it appears God has begun to answer that prayer. While I see it with my own eyes I struggle with disbelief! Is this really God or is it just the circumstances? Then something else passes before me that is obviously God at work, again though, I struggle with disbelief. In my disbelief I find it hard to hope, I find it hard to have faith in Gods word though it's what I have held tight to for the past 10 years. Gods truth, Gods word is what I have held to no matter what the world says or what the world implies. So why, now, do I struggle? God has promised to answer our prayer exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask for or imagine. Gods word says and shows repeatedly that His timing is perfect. God promises those who follow Him an abundant life - not a life of "enough". I know that I know that I know these things. Still - disbelief and .....FEAR. Afraid to believe because if I do I open doors to be hurt and or disappointed...again. It's so hard to explain. Yet, my God is so awesome, my Father. He is patient with me as I try to grasp HIS truth and hold it again. He has asked me, "Is my timing not perfect" "would you like me to take the answers back" - we all know the answers there but I needed those words. So I ask, "What do I do now" And He answers, "Do what you know to do" But right now even that is difficult for me because I am so in a state of disbelief - I am waiting to wake up or for the other shoe to drop so it's so hard to do what I know to do. God knows this. He continues to feed me through His word, through devotions, through devotions sent to me by other friends, through songs. He nudges me with patience. He helps me to see more clearly and to feel the ground that I stand on so I am not so shaken. I really want the end result NOW but God is promising me beauty in the process. I want to do NOW better than I am - but I am struggling. It's a new place, a challenge of a place. I want to do all that He has called me to do and I want to do it well. Again, it's a challenge. I look at worldly things and allow my foundation to shake and my focus to get off of His Truth and then feel like I have to start all over.

That's really all I can say right now - I am surprised I was able to put that much together and get it out there. Your prayers are appreciated. Any encouragement you want to send my way is also appreciated.

We all must embrace where we are in our walk right now - even when it's hard, put all your effort into getting the grasp so we can embrace!

Lots of love!

D. J.