Hey, Siestas! Thank you for such an outpouring of support in my blog break. God has already caused it to bear fruit the way I’d hoped. He’s so faithful. I miss you so much and think of you daily. I hope to see some of you Houston area girls at Bible study tonight. I’m so blessed to serve tonight with my friend, Christy Nockels. OK, here’s today’s TOPIC for Talk To Me Tuesday.
Talk to me about a time in your own life when God called you to an area of obedience that was particularly difficult but ultimately (and surprisingly) led to joy. Limit your story to one meaty paragraph so we can read as many as possible. Let’s hear it! I surely do love you girls.
The one that comes to mind is the topic of true submission and respect towards my husband. Since I have obeyed God in that area, I can honestly say our marriage becomes more and more beautiful everyday. My husband’s love, honor and protection for me has grown deeply. And what girl doesn’t want that? 🙂
I recently completed a study on marriage and discovered what a big role respect plays in our husband’s lives. Even the smallest issues of respect, that I truthfully never even noticed before, as so important. A friend did the study too, and now we are both accountable to each other on respecting our husbands. My marriage has greatly improved, and I thought I had a good marriage before. I am so thankful to God for this teaching.
Isn’t it amazing to learn that? The culture teaches us something else so vastly different, so learning this was light bulb moment for me. Now I am more aware of the way I treat him. I think it’s neat you have an accountability friend for this! (And we share the same name, by the way:)
Good morning! I must say I struggle with obedience in the everyday decisions… I made a decision to go to our women’s bible study each Monday night. It was not to only give myself the needed time to focus on my growth, but to learn to be the Godly mom, wife and woman I am called to be. Even though my kids plead with me to stay and my tired body hears the call of the sofa, I have been obedient and it leaves my soul full of joy each week and gives me the strength for the rest of the week. We are finishing up the Deeper Still study and each week it speaks right to where I am…. God just knew! So I keep learning to rest in faith and practicing discernment!! 🙂
Thanks!
This may be too intimate for some readers, but there was a time when I seriously struggled with giving God control over my body. I was adamant I did NOT want to have any more babies, especially in my 40s. Over several months God gently, but persistenly told me my body was HIS, not mine. He knew best, even if meant birthing some babies later in life. I knew I had to tell my husband, but did not want to. I creatively avoided “the act” for too long. Then one morning after we’d had a fight the night before, I just sat quietly before the Lord. I literally asked Him, “what do you want me to hear from You?” And immediately I knew. I was to invite my husband to intimacy. God told me to have sex with my husband, without fear or doubt. No, it didn’t immediately result in pregnancy. But it did immediately result in blessing, peace, joy and oneness. (And wouldn’t you know…it’s been 18 months and I’m still not pregnant. God knew I simply needed to obey and trust.)
Well, mine wasn’t a matter of should but would. When I was prompted to forgive a person, I wasn’t rightly sure they “deserved” it. Boy I was I in for a very rude awakening! So in obedience, because surely it wasn’t from MY desire, I began praying for them. It looked more like a tug-of-war prayer, giving it, taking it back, giving and throwing in a few complaints etc. But slowly, and slower than I’d like to admit, my heart began to change, soften and eventually reached a honest prayer life to release them freely in His Hands. That’s when the invisible chains of bitterness loosed and I was blinded to their bondage and actually wasn’t quite sure how life would look without them. Yet, in freedom He allowed me to soar like an eagle and I’m deeply grateful for it.
I had the opportunity to interview for a new job that would have been a salary increase and would’ve led to my teaching licensure. It also would have increased my stress load and I would have had to give up many of my outside-of-school hobbies (photography and teaching private piano). I cried and prayed through the decision even though I had my husband’s support either way. I ultimately decided to obey God and keep the job I have (still teaching, but less pay and does not count towards my licensure, but with full benefits) and I’m so glad I did! I have less stress and can continue my outside hobbies, serving others in our church. Something I’d wanted since college (a teaching license) has now been thrown out the window because I’m still teaching and doing what I love but without all the additional stresses. God is good! And I after I called my administration to decline the interview-I didn’t think twice about it. Utmost peace followed! Praise Him! 🙂
I worked as an administrative assistant for a church that was going through some issues. I was removed from my cubicle and placed at a desk in the workroom. It was almost impossible for me to get any work done, and it looked like I was being punished (for what I don’t know, I think it was just the way things were shaking out, not personal). But it hurt, and I was embarrassed. I prayed every day for 90 days for God to give me the green light to leave that job. The answer every day was a soft, but firm “no”. The issues cleared, because of where I had been moved to ALL of the admins were given better working conditions. It changed my life as far as listening for God’s voice in difficult situations. It sounds benign, now, but it was the toughest 90 days of my work experience, yet one of the biggest blessings in my life. I stayed in that job for an additional six years until God clearly gave me the green light to quit.
It was February 2002. I had a 4 year old, a two year old and 9 month old twins. The Lord woke me up in the middle of the night and told me to, “homeschool Lindsay, I will help you” as clear as day in my spirit. I was exhausted from being a mommy to four little ones and I did not want to do it. I ultimately submitted b/c I was more afraid to disobey than to homeschool. That led to six glory filled years of homeschooling that I know the Lord is honoring. They now are 12 (almost 22), 11 and two 9 year olds and are doing so well. Praise God! Obey Him!
I once prayed to God to distract me with His thoughts instead of me obsessing over a situation that I knew He would work out in His way, in His time. He clearly told me to “go to Mexico”. Our church just happened to be doing short-term missions sign ups, and I did go to Mexico! I came home wanting nothing more than to go back to serve in Mexico. Instead, God had me meet my husband, who had served on the exact same trip as me, but one year before. I was excited to meet him to talk with someone who had been on that trip. My husband, who had seen me around since we traveled in the same circles at church, suddenly had the scales fall away from his eyes and noticed me for the first time! He was smitten. Our first date was that week, and we married 3 months later. We have 3 wonderful kids are are about to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary!!!
And I am filled with joy that I will be one of the volunteers when you come to Charlotte for Living Proof Live in July!!!!!!! Blessings!!!
Terri, that is a wonderful story!
I had thought about being a missionary long time ago, but it meant going back to school and alot of education so I went into the military for awhile and met my husband. But, I found out that there are mission trips with out church now. We really enjoy going places. We have gone to Mexico several times, just wish things would get better over there.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I’ll be there tonight, VERY ready to hear Christy sing and you bringin’ it on’!! I cannot wait for your new study, I’m in a real ‘Bible study’ dry spell right now. I feel like I’m in that time of obedience right now and am praying that joy will come out of all this. I’ve mentioned before that I joined my husband’s church when we were married 30 plus years ago and now I’ve seen that I did that for all the wrong reasons! Now I feel like a fish out of water. Thankfully, God knows that he’s a wonderful man, a Christian, and loving husband and I love him more than there are words to describe it. I continue to pray that God will help me discern what I should be feeling and give me the wisdom to know what to do. Studying the Bible over the last 11 years has opened my eyes and my heart and now or in God’s time, prayerfully I’ll understand what my purpose has been!
Thank you Beth, for sharing your heart for Jesus with us. I so want to love Him with all my heart and do what He put me on this earth for. Praying for y’all as you write James, that will touch MANY women! See you tonight!
After my mom died of cancer in July of 1976, I stayed home for a while to take care of my dad. A few years later I felt the Lord wanted me to leave home and joined the army for three years. I ask the Lord if He would provide a office job, a husband and keep my feet on the land, not in the sea or air. In return I agreed to tell as many people as I could about Him and how to become a Christian. The recruiter called me and offered me a office job. I read the scriptures “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.” God did just that (I went to Germany) and this year, I have been married 25 years to a wonderful Christian man who was in the army also and God has blessed me with two wonderful twin boys! More than I ever dreamed or could imagine. By the way, I did share God’s word with others and still do. (This “Gomer Pyle” girl made it though the three years, God camouflages really good.) I couldn’t live without Him. He is my Joy and Salvation!
It was my sophomore year in college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I was feeling a bit “lost” and Campus Crusade started advertising their summer projects. I wanted to go because “something” (GOD) was calling me there, my mom also gave me a nudge or two, but I was terrified. I had always gone to church, I knew God was important, but I didn’t REALLY know what that all meant. I ended up going and was scared to meet all of these God-fearing people and realized once I got there how little I knew and found out I’d have to share my testimony – my what?! Well, God blessed me beyond belief that summer. I grew in my relationship with Him greatly and also found my husband. 🙂 My life changed tremendously after that summer and I’m so glad I followed His calling.
Oh, Beth I have read this blog forever and have only written once! I am a Houston girl with you and have been sitting in that church for over 9 years every Tuesday those doors are open (except for one season when my son played high school basketball -mommy duty first). I am currently in a big disagreement with a lost family member in another city and I KNOW the Lord is telling me to reconcile because I am a Believer and she is not (even though I know I am the “right ” one – haha) – so I will report back when I know I will have JOY after I do this but NOT looking forward to it so I hope siestas pray for me to break through my stubbornness and pick up the phone! I know the Lord is telling me to! See you tonight! Can’t wait!!
Yes, report back, Houstonmom! See you tonight!
Praying for you Houstonmom! May His peace take care of even the raised blood pressure and heart rate! Been there! ♥
I can so relate. I too have lost family members. I find it difficult to relate to them even on a most basic level. Now that our mom is older & has issues, I am forced to communicate with them more. It is so hard to be a Christ follower and still have a huge desire to run away from mean spirited, lost sisters. I do find myself apologizing for anything & everything just to be a peacekeeper. I’m finding it hard to hear what God wants me to do with them. Wouldn’t this be a great subject for Beth’s next book?
I have had several times but most recently God has called me down a road that I did not understand. The road was rocky, it had loss and hurt along it. I had to mourn the loss of friendships and did not understand why this was the path for me. That is until last week. Then I began to realize that God had a plan and once I worked through the loss and pain and turned toward him I could see it unfolding before my eyes. This is the 1st time I have really seen God’s hand at work so clearly. I have seen it before but this time I felt God’s hand in mine leading me through and he unveiled the reasons before my eyes and the sadness and hurt washed away. I feel like a new me now and I am ready to face the new chapter in my life!
I dreamed my husband was in seminary and we were living in Texas and so poor. (My husband had never mentioned being a preacher)…I told him about my dream and the next thing I knew we had a little church in a town called Waverly and my husband was in school…and then God visited me in yet another dream and said, “Hey girl I was talking to you too….you have a talent and I want you to use it…” So I went to lay speaker classes and became a certified lay speaker and fill pulpits when pastors are out. I have expanded it to speaking and singing at local women’s conferences. What a great joy I would have missed if I had not listened when God was speaking to me.
Hi Ya’ll,
Obedience has never been my thing. I was saved in 1995 and did not get baptized until 2005. (saved when I found out I was pregnant, baptized when our then 8 year old girl was more spiritually mature than me) Then, I was so dense and hardheaded, yet now I don’t have to question, I just “do”. Growing spiritually is very hard (did I say VERY HARD) and the Christian life is not for weenies. God always hits me as close to home as he can get in order to produce the most bang for His buck. Our girl has been given the gift of seeing me grow as she grows too. Gotta love Him.
Hi Beth!
Someone said all moms need a break. Does that mean we are in Time Out? 🙂 jk
Idk about your question – I’m still trying to get the hang of joy. I think I notice it in the small steps, letting go of a crutch or idol, even though I’m terrified, and deciding to trust. Then when I least expect it, I feel God’s presence, and I feel loved.
Tomorrow my dog Cindy turns 16 1/2! Yes, we will have cake – and no frosting for her means more for me, haha. She requires a lot of attention and has lost over 45% of her body weight, but still gets around okay most of the time. She is the sweetest pup. I love her so. 🙂
Any Siestas want to direct connect? Find me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Micheledidasko
These testimonies are encouraging. Unemployed 2+ yrs and problems at church cause me to question where I will work, worship and live (it was 36 degrees here this morning!). But I have put everything on hold to take care of my Cindy. Idk what God has planned or how this will work financially, but I feel like right now this is where I’m supposed to be. So maybe good things coming??
Moving to Colorado–we left our hometown, families, church and friends. It was heart-wrenching to leave. On the other side, here in Colorado, we have experienced unparalleled joy and purpose in Christ. That is not to say that the world would call it “successful,” no. We have also experienced hardship–job loss, bankruptcy and difficult interpersonal situations with family. But I would NOT TRADE one thing. It has all shaped and honed and CUT things from our lives that has made us more joyful, peaceful and fulfilled in Jesus than anything else could have done!
I’m so glad that your work is coming along! I remember one time a few years ago my husband and I were going to seperate churches because we couldn’t agree on one. I was head over heels in love with where I was worshiping and he hated it. I was also getting anxious about starting a family, but we weren’t on the same page about that either. One night in the shower the Lord spoke to me and told me to follow my husband, that if we were going to have a family I needed to do this. Tearfully I told my husband that I would go to church with him and I KID YOU NOT three months later I was accidentally pregnant. While that created problems in it’s own, I couldn’t deny that the Lord had been faithful!
Giving God a year. It is so hard to let go and see what God will do in my life. Everyday I must submit (the hardest part) to God, give everything over to Him. I like to be in control and tell Him how to handle everything. My husband likes his job, this has not been true for years, this is such a plus. I have months to go, submiting daily, failing as often.
Hmmmmm….you are getting pretty personal LOL 😉 but here goes!
I was called to leave a part-time job I LOVED and from being at home part-time to return to a full-time teaching job, post-children, so that my sons can attend school in a better school system than where we live. {They are allowed to transfer in b/c I’m an employee of that system.} It was hard to return to full-time employment and to leave my semi-at-home status and favorite job ever BUT the pay off for my sons has been exponential and the new friendships I have made are lasting and Godly and encouraging.
I know it was God’s plan and not Jill’s and that it was for greater glory even though for about 6 months to a year I truly grieved like a death had occurred. Still, now four years later I continue to see God’s plan, His wisdom and the huge payoff for my boys (and me) and I’m no longer grieving and am daily praying to be a blessing and to be highly effective in Jesus’ name.
God lead me to stick with my marriage. My husband is a wonderful, kind, fabulous man. He has family members that are mentally unstable. The family members are quite a challenge. (OOOH BOY, understatement.) As much as I love my husband, there are times I have thought of walking away. In fact, most people have wondered how- in their words how, “I could stand it!!”
I asked God to help me love them exactly as they are, and to create in me a “pure heart and steadfast spirit”.
Many, many people comment on our strong marriage and what an example we are( I think… are you talking to ME???) Plus, I have learned that people respond to love…I have come to learn why the words, “The greatest of these is Love” is so powerful. There are scores of other lessons I have learned from the path that God put me on. I am glad I stuck it out, for I would have missed out some wonderful blessings.
God asked our family to move to a new place, where we knew no one, and was farther away from family. It’s been 2 yrs and it’s still hard, even though we really do enjoy so much about where we are living. My husband and I were talking just the other day that we both thought that us actually moving was our big, noble act of obedience. But the longer we are here, the more we realize that was just the first step in what seems to be a process of Him getting us to where we are supposed to be. Much like Abraham and Sarah, who didn’t have the whole picture up front, He gave them just enough of the puzzle to stretch them and grow them. We are trusting Him to write our story. (Side note: We have had 2 very surprising pregnancies since our big move. Yes, that would be 2 babies in 2 years… our baby boys will be just 16 months apart. We have decided to name this one ‘Isaac” b/c it just seemed fitting.) 🙂
When I was in college, I felt a strong, specific instruction from the Holy Spirit that I needed to stop 2 things: reading Cosmo magazine and watching Sex and the City. I wasn’t condemming anyone else who liked them, but I knew they weren’t for me anymore.
Several months later, the Sex and the City movie came out, and my mom (who was unsaved at the time) wanted to see it with me since we had watched all the episodes together, and she even said those were some of her favorote memories with me! Of course she balked when I explained to her that essentially, Jesus wouldn’t want me to. Afraid of furthering my mom’s growing fear that she was losing me to this crazy Christianity stuff, I agreed to see the movie with her, even though it killed me that I was going against the direction the Holy Spirit.
Well, we got to the theater, got our popcorn and drinks, sat down, and don’t you know… THE PROJECTOR WAS BROKEN! They wouldn’t be able to fix it for hours, and they refunded everyone’s money and sent us home! Even though I felt guilty about ruining everyone’s trip to the movies, I smiled secretly because I KNEW God did that just for me!
PS – my mom is saved now and doesn’t think I’m so crazy after all!
Right now, in a couple of hours…I’m getting on a plane headed for Bamako, Mali and then to Kankan Guinea. I really am not the go to Africa girl but God called me to this in January and it’s been a wild, joyful ride this whole time. Our team of 5 women is going to serve the Minnenka in Guinea where Nathan and Becky Kendall serve as missionaries and then lead a retreat for the missionary women in the West Africa Region. What a humbling, overwhelming joy to serve these precious women. I feel like I’m about to get on the biggest, scariest, most thrilling roller coaster ride ever…I want to ride it but I’m nervous, excited and ready to experience what God has for me, no matter what.
Thank you for your obedience in taking the time and effort to write James. I’m praying for you and your ministry during this time.
Joni Leahy,
Littleton, Co
Praying for you tonight!
I believe the area for me would be in trusting Him to fulfill my desire to marry. Sometimes this can be a daily, hourly, laying down and trusting God to fulfill His purpose for me and to Trust He is working on my behalf and for His glory. I just know He keeps telling me to wait, be strong, delight in Him – and Yes, I have great Joy, sometimes I am pressed to tears – as Hannah was – Yet, He gently reminds me… to trust His Heart is for me and that is a HUGE thing. This is a continual place of surrender as i am 37; i don’t know if i can say it has gotten easier in the desire but I am learning contentment, with great Joy in Trusting Him deeper as I yield myself to His Timing and His Glory.
My Dad had been ill most of my life. He had been hit by a drunk driver when he was 23 and he fought hard to survive that accident and went on to live a full life. He and my mother married a year after the accident and I was born a few years later. My Dad was never defined by his disabilities. He volunteered thousands of hours to disabled veterans and worked tirelessly as a husband and father. About two years ago he began noticing trouble breathing. I remember vividly in the hospital as the doctor asked us about asbestos exposure. I remember thinking to myself what a silly question. He couldn’t be ill from that because he had suffered enough already. Dad went on to face mesothelioma as bravely as he lived his life. I don’t think it was God’s choice to give him the illness but I do believe that the will of God is active in his believers. Dad was a believer. My desire was to not obey God’s call to honor his will in this matter but I did. My last several months with Dad were beautiful as much as they were heartbreaking. I see now that God delivered him home and gave me a strength I did not know I had.
Karen, What you wrote touched my heart. Sometimes we do not have pat answers, but we can only believe in the One who has the answers. We can focus on who He is and know that one day God will be the author and finisher of our faith in Jesus Christ.
After my mother passed away it taught me to show more compassion toward others It also made me realize that God can use things for good, that He is working in our lives to grow from faith to virtue to knowledge, to self-control, to perseverance to godliness. 2 Peter 5
Will be praying for you. God bless you. in Christ
Greetings Siesta Mama Beth,
The most difficult time when God called me to an area of obedience that eventually caused great joy would have to be going through in vitro, hands down. It was difficult to go to my step-parents and try to reconcile with them over the years, but this one thing about my infertility season was the hardest act of obedience to God’s leading I have ever done. When I first contemplated having to undergo in vitro, I burst into tears. It was because it made me feel the most out of control of my circumstances, and it challenged me on a whole new level to trust God, and face my past, pouring it out to the Lord for His healing work. But the Lord knew the joy that would come from a heart healed in some measure of shameful past. I have come to realize that it was to my immense benefit that I was afflicted, because then I could start to learn and love His statues, His perfect Word. Dispelling lies with the truth always leads to joy. Seed sown, sheaves of joy reaped. I’ve still got a long way to go, but He is never going to leave me nor forsake me. I do not want to take His grace for granted, I want to obey His Word…His love shown to me suffers long, and is patient, and is kind…and I’m so grateful. So very grateful.
Blessings to you today, ((HUGS)), Love in HIM, blessed Tues night Bible study to you too!:)His Spirit filling you to overflowing is my prayer for you:)
katiegfromtennessee
My husband (an only child) & I have lived next door to his parents for 22 years. His dad passed 4 years ago and his mom last year. We placed both homes on the market for sale in December 2009. We found a home to buy and fell in love with it. Our first prospective buyer fell thru a week before closing. We were disappointed. God is teaching us to trust him in all things, even the home we live in. We have another interested buyer and are set to close Monday, 10/25. The home we wanted to buy previously is still available. We are learning to trust God to put us where he wants us. It will be like a new beginning, my love and I and God!
I have a masters degree in music performance and played in our church orchestra- I loved it. But I began to feel like I was unable to simply worship and that the ministry was becoming more like a chore. God made it clear what I needed to do, but it was a hard thing to tell the director that I was taking a break as he didn’t really understand and I was needed in the section. I don’t remember how long I took off- I think it was rather open ended for me until God released me to return. The time sitting on the other side of the stage and hearing the saints around me singing was refreshing, encouraging, and just what I needed.
Hi Tara,
I just went through the same thing! I stepped down from a worship leader position, following what I feel God has called me to do. You summed it up perfectly “the ministry was becoming more like a chore.” I know my heart isn’t in the right place. I will definitely say a prayer for you!!
just about a year ago, to the day, nearly, i had major surgery. i had a hytericalectomy. 😉 during my down time the Lord really began to impress upon me to just quit my job….ARGH!! in this ecomony?? we have 2 kid in college!! i love cute clothes!! and shoes!! (i am sure that He knew these things, but i felt compelled to remind Him) as the medical leave came to an end, this was weighing more and more heavily on my heart. my husband offered only, “i am not getting between you and the Lord, you can duke it out with Him!!)during this same time the church i have been attending for the last 23 years was reviving the ladies’ ministry and i had longed to be a part of that, but i didn’t have the time to put into it as, well, you guessed it, i had a job…..i went back to work just after Christmas and some things in my office had changed over the weeks i was gone. one day, just days after my return, i was in a meeting. it wasn’t going well in my spirit. after the meeting was dismissed i went back to the office manager’s office. i suppose the look on my face said it all. she knew immediately i was not happy. i sat down and without ANY hesitation told her that it was time for me to go home. in my 50 years, 30 of that walking with the Lord, have i NEVER felt the peace that passeth all understanding as i did then…….our ladies’ ministry is wonderful, no one in my house has gone hungry, our children did not have to drop out of college. and the clothes and shoes, well, we won’t talk about that!!…God is so good. all the time!!! we just need to allow Him to be good to us.
I would have to say that was about 4 years ago. I worked a full time job. I worked 3rd shift. I had taken a volunteer lay off but was soon called back to work. We had felt God’s call for me to stay at home for some time but we had not been obedient to it. So, when I was called back to work we knew that it was God’s timing. I put in my notice and walked away from 1/2 of our income. That was hard…But how God has blessed. I was able to stay at home until my youngest started school. That summer a administrative position open in the church that we attend and I applied and got the job!! I work 30 hours a week and now know that this is the true call on my life…for now.
God has wanted me to do a Sunday School class for teen girls at my church for three years. Three years of prodding from Him – three years of NOT doing what He was asking of me – three years stuck without a ministry. But this year, at the last minute, I took the plunge and started a class with Kelly Minter’s book “Hannah’s One Wish”. How can I begin to tell you how much I have been BLESSED by this one little class? I feel like I lost 3 years and am now really living again! I have had the privilege of bonding with 4 of God’s own sweet daughters. This week we talked about God’s sovereignty – go figure! Obedience rocks!
Being brought up in a conservative Christian home and always being taught God hates divorce, I never thought it was an option even though I was abused. After 24 years of so much….alcoholism, pornography addiction, abuse, etc. and I prayed “how long oh LORD, how long…” in my mind I thought my ex would be drawn to God through my Christian example. God finally told me “ENOUGH! I don’t want my daughter and children treated this way!” God gave me courage and strength and wisdom. Last September I filed for divorce and immediately got my children and me in counseling. Through Celebrate Recovery and counseling, the LORD healed us. We are better than we ever have been. It was the most difficult decision I ever made because I did not want to step outside of God’s will. He assured me He was opening the doors to get out and I obeyed. Thank you, LORD!
I just wanted to say you are not alone. This very thing happened to me too.(10yrs) God is so good and loving even when the world is not. Keep stepping one step at a time and trust God. Some people may not be kind towards you and your decision, hold on – God is bigger than divorce.
God bless you on your Road to Recovery. You’re one of a couple of siestas I’ve heard mention CR. It’s had a big impact on me and how I handle life.
God Bless you. CR’s a great program and has had a great impact on my life.
After dating a guy for almost 6 years and in my heart I thought he would be my husband. he is a good man and I was very comfortable with him. God laid on my heart that he was not who I should be with, it was hard because I loved this man but no matter how much love I knew to obey and trust in God. Through this obedience God provided a better man and made my dreams come true in marrying my husband! It is awesome to see God’s plans unfold, even though sometimes the unfolding can be painful and hard. God knows what is best for us. He is awsome!
God called our family to change churches this past August after worshiping for seventeen years with the same church family. It was excruciating. And we really didn’t understand exactly why. Just that the change was necessary. My fifteen-year-old son and I have particularly struggled. BUT GOD. BUT GOD is so good. And his timing is perfect. Our sons are flourishing in their relationship with God. The older? Learning to lead worship. Learning. to. lead. worship. FOr such a time as this we were called to this church, and I do not doubt for one second that we will continue to learn why.
Well, God called my husband and I to a small little older church in our community. A church we had left a few years earlier because we wanted more meat to grow on and wanted children’s ministries for our kids. We are friends with the Pastor and had been praying for him for some time. We felt God called us to go and partner with him in ministry there. It hasn’t been easy. We are the youngest couple there, and the only family that stays for all of church, not just Sunday School.The church body is rooted in its tradition and is quite unwilling to change. Some Sundays, I ask God if I really have to go there, but He has been faithful! I am seeing fruit with the second grade boys that I teach in Sunday School.It’s so exciting to hear them amazed at God’s word. I am also enjoying sharing my faith with a new sister in Christ who is assisting me in the class. God has opened doors of opportunity for me to pray for some of the people who bring their kids to Sunday School. It has been joy giving to see how God has taken this step of obedience, and brought joy and growth!I’m so excited to see what else God is going to do, as I continue to follow His leading, though sometimes I go with less than a happy heart.
OH! The rough road the Lord led me on was regarding schooling my kids. I loved serving and leading a small group of women in my church’s Tuesday Bible study. But two years ago, I needed to think about my soon to be school-age son and homeschooling kept jumping back “on the table.” Boy, did I have to sacrifice my will to the Father’s. My heart hurt so much. But as we’ve continued on this journey, my pain has turned to joy!! And I’m thankful for how He’s using me now in my children’s lives (I’m in no way saying Homeschool is for all moms!) He brought Psalm 144:11-12 to encourage me to tend to my 3 “Plants” and 1 “Pillar” and in doing so, I decided to named our school “Plant and Pillar Academy.” =) I will continue to seek Him on a year by year basis. But I’m confident that even when he asks me to lay down something I love, He’ll bring abundant joy in the next season too!
Much love to you, Mama Beth! How neat to share with you and also pray for you, knowing right away how and why! We don’t often get to be so specific in our prayers for you (and Melissa!)
~rachel winn~
WOW! Um, yeah. You got me right down to the Tuesday morning. I have been struggling with if I should continue to attend (already gave up the leading) bible study as it is interfering with our new homeschooling schedule… Have to do some more praying about this! Thanks for your post!
Rachel, thank you for the encouragement! I loved what you said about God asking you to lay down something you love, but God bringing abundant joy from it! Thank you!!
Recently the Holy Spirit sat on my lap and told me to forgive someone I didn’t want to forgive, so I did. Then the next week He told me to live my forgiveness – basically to do what Jesus would ask me to do. Now I’m trying to do it. Everyday I have to wake up and ask God to give me the strength to face this person in a loving way. She hurt me deeply but God is asking me to show her love. It’s hard, but rewarding because the peace which passes all understanding is starting to fill in the gaps. I can’t wait to see how HE uses me in my obedience to Him.
Jamie, this is exactly the obedience I talked about in my comment. He will most certainly bless you though your forgiveness. I’ve been blessed more than I can write in a short paragraph! So happy for you sweet girl… press on with it. It not only gets easier, you’ll find the healing inside of you becomes more real as you walk it out. much love to you!
Beth, this topic hit me straight on! Several years ago I heard God’s still small voice telling me to resign my position as a nurse after having worked there for many years. You talk about a “faith builder”, this surely was. Like every other young couple we had a house payment, car payment, payments for the children’s extracurricular activities, etc…you get the picture. My first reaction was Lord, how in the world are we supposed to live on only one income when we have so heavily depended on my income to help pay the bills? His response was…haven’t I always taken care of you. Listen to the birds of the fields. They don’t worry where they get their food, clothing and shelter. It is time for you to resign. After much prayer and searching of the scriptures, God proved Himself to me and I followed His calling. During the 7 years that I was off, we never once missed my paycheck. God provided for us in miraculous ways. I was given the opportunity to help with the construction of our new worship center and God continued to make Himself known and faithful in every area of this too! My whole point in writing this is to encourage each of us to be faithful to Christ and follow His calling to us. He is faithful. He is love. Thanks be to our God and Father Jesus Christ!!
Being subject to my husband. He is a younger brother and I am the oldest sister. Being in charge comes naturally to me and following comes naturally to him. But I finally realized that he could never become the man that I prayed for him to be if I kept up my natural tendencies. It was a difficult transition because all our “rules” changed. It has been over twenty years since then, and I still slip up at times; but it is right and good because it is God’s way, not mine.
Terri
leaving campus ministry was the one of the hardest things i have ever done, but God was clearly calling my husband and i to be obedient in this. there were problems in the group that were way over our heads, and we were no longer able to be effective in ministering to them. but it was like leaving my family, my children. i felt a little like abraham sacrificing isaac. but we did it anyways. we moved on to another church where we were ministered to for the first time in a long time. God blessed us with peer relationships that we desperately needed. most of all, He put into our lives two of the best friends we’ve ever had, kindred spirit in the faith, who we went on to partner with in youth ministry. we live states away from them now, but they are still so dear to us, and God used these experiences to help us in our current ministry to youth and families. we have seen how faithful He is, especially when we are obedient.
The recent journey that my husband and I are on to adoption has been a difficult journey of obedience to God. We had a baby placed with us for four wonderful days, where I got to feel what it feels like to be a Mommy, but then the birthmother changed her mind and we had to give him back. The pain to keep moving forward, knowing that God has us on this path for a reason has been a test of obedience. The suprising joy that has come from this, is that through this pain and testing, our marriage is stronger, our faith is stronger, and our love is stronger. We also know that the end result will be a baby that God has planned for us, but the surprising joy that has come from our loss has blown us away in a way that only God can!
Praying for your journey in adoption. As an adoptive Mom to two, I remember the ups and downs well. Know that you are being prayed for Diane!
We too are in the throes of waiting to adopt. *chirping crickets while we wait* 🙂
And although I haven’t had to experience what you have been through, I definitely have a soft spot for you in my heart.
I firmly believe that any time that a child spends in a home where he/she is genuinely loved is time well spent. What an amazing act of ministry you did for that baby and his birth-mother when you loved on him for those 4 days, and I imagine are still praying for him now. You have planted some seriously good seed, my friend, and I am proud of you beyond words.
*hugs*
So sorry to hi-jack this thread here, but we just got a call TODAY saying that we have been chosen! A premature baby boy is waiting for us in the NICU. He is about a month old and could be discharged as early as this week. We are so excited! But now we also face the ups and downs of the birth-mother’s revocation period… we would appreciate your prayers! And please pray for the baby’s health and for peace for the birth-mother as well.
Becca, That is SO EXCITING!!! Praying for you, the birth-mom and that sweet baby!!
Dianne,
I’m a grad student studying social work/adoption….you all are my heroes 🙂
Morning Sunshine Siestas!
A few years ago, we had been looking at houses in a nicer neighborhood, and I was struggling (mostly excited but still reserved) with the notion of leaving my house and had turned to the Lord. I didn’t hear anything for a while and we continued to look. We found a house that I LOVED, and started the preliminary steps, and then in the early morning nursing hours (I’m talking 3AM, sisters!) I heard a very still “Be Content”. I listened, we stayed. Then the housing market crashed, my husband works construction and we ended up having the worst financial year of our lives. Even though the house felt full with 2 daughters, God added another daughter! Our house doesn’t feel small anymore, it feels warm and rich. Blessing upon blessing! Unspeakable joy! Amen!
In a particularly difficult season of my life, God called me to remain faithful to what I knew was right no matter the cost. I ended up a single mom with three children, two with special needs. God was true to his word and at just the right time provided a new job (I had been a stay at home mom) a great place for my young children, and a church that wrapped their arms around me in support and encouragement. My obedience and His faithfulness has lead to a stronger relationship with my Savior and a healthy home for my children. Six years later I continue to marvel at how God’s timing his perfect and that He take care of us.
My story has not *yet* ended in the joy I am hoping for, but I am standing in faith that someday it will! A few years ago, my husband divorced me. I have never stopped praying for my marriage to be resurrected. I am standing by my vow to love him “til death do us part”. I’ve had Christians tell me to “move on”, and God told me “NO!” I’ve dipped my toe in the ocean of dating again, and pulled back my foot when God said “NO!” I’ve been tempted to take off my wedding ring, and God said “NO!” He’s told me in so many ways to stand strong for my marriage, and I’m saying YES!
Oh girl – Praying for you to keep the YES!!!!! I once asked my pastor, “how do you know when GOD says no?”
He said, “OH YOU KNOW!”
Trust HIM and I will pray for you!
Thank you Siesta OC, I appreciate your prayers so much!! The greatest gift I can give my beloved is to say YES to God!
Public speaking and playing guitar at the local jail BY MY SELF! I had been going with my friend to provide church for the ladies. She would do the speaking and I would play guitar for the worship section. Then she called last minute for me to fill in. Keep in mind, I have struggled terribly with fear of public speaking most of my life. God came through big time and it was pure joy to serve in this way.
My favorite Beth Moore phraseology is currently “churchy vernacular”.
I love you too Beth!
19 years ago I was called to homeschool my ‘now’ 24 year old. My husband and I already had him enrolled in kinder and I was ready to do this until God gripped my heart and led me in the opposite direction. I was so afraid to tell my husband, I sent a note in his lunch instead of telling him face to face. Turns out, God was working on him as well and we both were feeling the call to this ministry for our family. So here I am, 19 years later, homeschooling my remaining 4 children (three are graduated) with no regrets. We have been through some tough times; a husband with double lymphoma and unemployment, kids with asthma…the list can go on… but God is faithful and he has blessed us so much! I thank God every day for the blessings he has provided through homeschooling:)
I love your story and smiled about sending a note in your husband’s lunch. Nowadays it would be an email or text message, I’m sure! Thank you for sharing!
Letting go – I tried to hang onto my stuff, control “my people” and circumstances thinking it would bring me satisfaction or joy. I am learning that letting go is MUCH less stressful, way more joyful, super freeing and obnoxiously exciting. God’s ways are so much better than my own, what He gives is exceedingly better than what I think/thought I want. Even the stuff – less IS best. Less clutter, less laundry, less to choke out life.
I’m so glad you’re having a productive season.
I remember eating chocolate as a child…
that waxy cheap chocolate…
and I could take it or leave it.
I remember my first Godiva chocolate,
and I wanted more…
I remember my first kiss, or first kisses,
and I could take it or leave it.
I remember my kiss inspired by true love and passion,
and I wanted more,
I remember going to church,
and honestly I could take it or leave it
I remember when I truly stepped out in obedience,
faithfully trusting God to show up
And He did, and oh yes, I wanted more…
I remember seeing God’s love in others
Seeing God’s passion in others.
I couldn’t take it or leave it
I wanted more.
I remember trying to understand how much God loved me
How much He pursued me.
How He not only would forgive any sin,
But EVERY sin.
I wanted more.
I’ve tasted the love,
the passion,
the forgiveness,
the power,
the eternal
the mystical
and oh…..
I want more…
When I was single, I really longed for a soul mate. I was 28 when I met the love of my life and right before I did, God told me to just be content with HIM! As soon as I did surrender to the Lord, he brought the man he had planned for me into my life. I’m so blessed! Married 6 years now with a beautiful baby boy almost 2 years old and a stay at home mama! 🙂