The Lord and I were reminiscing the other day about what we {James and I} were doing this time last year. I can sum it up in six words: clinging to God for dear life! We were jobless, almost penniless, answerless, but not hopeless. As a family, we were learning to do one of the most important things in the world we could do: Trust God. Was it easy? NO WAY! Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
So much has happened in the past year and I am overwhelmed at God’s perfect timing and provision for our family. God used the body of Christ to sustain us, and now we are in His perfect place for us. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the things gained through our loss for anything in the world. How I praise Him! Sometimes life is hard. But always, God is good.
I wrote this post last April, and still drink out of this mug often :-). Is God asking you to “Trust” Him right now? If so, I am praying for you, asking for God to reveal Himself as Trustworthy and All Sufficient for every. single. need. Cling to Him for dear life. He will NOT let you go!
PS: For the whole story on our journey of faith, click here: “Our Journey: Urged on by Faith”. You can also find these same links to my “journal” at the top of this blog page under the same title. My cup overflows with gratefulness for God’s faithfulness.
Much love and many prayers~
Jennifer
Post written on April 8, 2010:
This is a picture of my current “favorite” coffee cup. I have lots of favorites, and choose them daily by my mood or by my need. I’ve been drinking out of this one A LOT lately!
Trust. It’s a HUGE concept when you really think about it. For years, I’ve “trusted” the Lord, but I’ve always kept my hand in what He was doing, trying to “help” Him along. But for this season of our lives, every time I extend my hand in to try to help Him, it NEVER works out! (Shocker, I know!)
For instance: Every time I’ve thought we found a part time job to carry us through as we “wait” on the Lord, it has slipped through our fingers. I’m tutoring some students after school, but they’ve been canceling more weeks than they’ve been coming. We’ve both applied to substitute teach, and haven’t worked a single day at that job…
I can not tell you How. Many. Times. The Lord has said to us – “Stop fretting and Trust ME. I WILL take care of you!”. He has led us down some paths of trusting Him during these past 9 months that, to those who are watching our lives, seem almost illogical and irresponsible. But we have obeyed Him and (I’m ashamed to insert here the words: timidly more often than boldly) walked those paths. And not to our surprise, we have found Him to be faithful with every step.
Sometimes I still think I have to repeatedly remind him that He promised to take care of us. Actually, I’ve been drinking out of this cup and reminding Him a lot this week! God has asked us to trust Him in some BIG ways within the past week. But we both know that it’s not God that needs the reminder… it’s me!
In processing all of this, and deciding to rest in the fact that God will do what He says He will do…I had a “light bulb” moment. At exactly 11:13am, Wednesday, April 07, 2010, I realized that
There is such peace when you finally surrender to trust God with something you can’t control in the first place.
I felt like knocking myself upside the head and saying, “Wow, I should have had a V-8!”
OF COURSE there is peace when we “Let go and Let God!” So W.H.Y. don’t we? I honestly don’t know the answer. I’m sure it has something to do with our sin natures and our desires to be the bosses of everything!
Anyway, my heart is at rest today, and I just wanted to share this little nugget of truth with you.
“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. {Ouch!} There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” Matthew 6:25-26 Msg.
A men?
I have one more happy thing to share: Urged on by faith, The Lord has shown us where we are going. Yeah with clappy-hands!!! We just don’t know anything else about getting there! One piece of the puzzle is back in place – a different one than before – but if I know anything about the Lord, I know that in His PERFECT timing, He’ll place every single piece right where they need to be – and we’ll all look at it in amazement and praise. Wish I could spill the beans, but I’ll be able to tell you more (or at least what I know) in about two weeks.
Until then, I’m resting in the Lord and having a V-8 out of my Trust cup!
You will keep in perfect peace the mind [that is] dependent [on You], for it is trusting in You.” Isaiah 26:3 (HCSB)
One more thing:
This was from the Devotional “Jesus Calling” on March 30, 24, and April 9 – I was catching up when I read this and for my own sake, had to add it here…
” I am taking care of you. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words, “I TRUST You, Jesus.” By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.” {How AWESOME is that!!!!?}
“Stop trying to work things out before their times have come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda. If it isn’t, release it to my care and go on about today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life. A time for everything, and everything in its time.”“When your mind goes into neutral and your thoughts flow freely, you tend to feel anxious and alone. Your focus becomes Problem Solving. To get your mind back into gear, just turn toward Me, bringing yourself and your problems into My presence…
Each moment you can choose to practice My Presence or to practice the presence of problems.”
Today I declare that I’m choosing the Practice of God’s Presence over the practice of the problem’s presence!!! 🙂
elaine @ peace for the journey says
In many ways, our ministry journey mirrors yours. We moved here last June after many months of wondering where we'd be. And then,once here, I received the new of my diagnosis. My trust has waivered at times, my faith has been tested. But God has been faithful. I know that he will continue to provide for all of us in the days ahead. There is a beauty that grows and comes to fruition in our times of needful trust. We may not see it at the time of its germination, but it will blossom in due time… God's time.
Blessed, peaceful week to you and yours.
peace~elaine
Kathy S. says
It's been awhile since I visited so I am not sure where you "landed" but I love reading of your victory. Your cup is awesome too with your family swimming together!
Praising our Faithful King with you!
Melanie Redd says
Hey Jennifer,
Love the post today and the reminders to trust God without thinking we have to help Him! So glad that you are where you are this year!
Thanks for always being a woman who shares honestly with hope!
Thanks too for your encouragement on my blog. I am not on as much with my work schedule, but I wanted to post a clear presentation of the Gospel. There are some folks in another country who read my blog because of their daughter – who is a girl I disciple.
Most of these people are not saved, and I have been praying about how to share the Gospel. Yesterday, I just felt led to post my rendition of the old Faith Presentation.
So, use it any way you wish to! You never know who might be stopping by to read your blog!
Hope to see you guys soon…
Blessings,
Melanie
Melanie says
Seems we go from one "trust" issue to another before the dust settles on the last one. In the midst of it now. I haven't shared this latest "trust issue" but may do so when we're through it.
I'm so glad your life has settled in this place you are. I sense such peace and contentment in you.
Debbie says
I'm so glad I've gotten to 'know you' on this journey of faith Jennifer. It's such a blessing to read your words this morning. You encourage me to not give up and to look to Jesus.
I'm thrilled that you are at rest in the place God has called your family.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Jill says
Isn't it cool to look back and see what God has done? Thankfully, our trust in Him doesn't have to be perfect in order for Him to carry out His perfect plan.