Awhile back I had a reader leave me a private comment asking me how I had the faith that I do. She went on further to explain that for years her and her family had this dream of adopting again and buying a farm where they could raise their children, raise their food and live a simple life for God. However, no matter how much they prayed things just didn't seem to be falling into place financially or other ways for that to take place and she was at a point where she felt like she was wasting her time praying for these things. She was wondering if perhaps these things were just dreams- and not realistic for her and her family.
Most of us have this idea of how our lives would be if we had a choice. However, we all know that sometimes no matter how hard we 'plan' and 'arrange' and work towards a goal- sometimes things don't turn out the way we wish they would. While that can be frustrating- what I love about being a Christian is that I know without a doubt that even though things don't turn out the way "I" had intended- I know that they turn out the way GOD intended.
And that is true- even when things are hard.
Because the truth is- God works best when we allow Him to have full reign of our lives. When we allow Him to stretch us and grow us through the pain. When we surrender FULLY to His plans.
And even though our plans may look 'Godly' and good- if it isn't what He has for us- then it is not where we are supposed to be.
Sometimes I am guilty of looking at other peoples lives and wishing so much I could have what they have or be where they are. But that is not what God has for me. And while I may WANT that life- truthfully I know that He knows best. He can see the whole picture. He works everything together for the good of those who trust in Him. Even when it's not what we had planned.
Because while I don't have a crystal ball- one things I do know is that God DOES have a plan for each one of us. I know whatever He has planned for you is GOOD. Actually, it's better than good- it's perfect.
Perfect for the way he created you.
Perfect for the talents and gifts He has given you.
Perfect according to His plans.
I don't know if one day He won't have another child for you- or for a farm or anything else you have desired... but what I do know is that He has you where you are now, and He is working out His plans for your life. Your job now is to be still and know that he is God. (Psalms 46:10) Trust that He is working, even while you wait- right where He has you now.
I also know that praying is NEVER a waste of time- even if God is not answering your prayers the way you want at the moment. ANY time spent earnestly before the Lord, listening to His voice, seeking his face, isn't a waste of time. In that time spend on your knees before Him He will create a passion in you, a desire, to draw closer to Him and live out the life He has intended for you this entire time. And it will be GOOD.
Jeremiah 33:3 says: Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. When you spend time in prayer, earnestly seeking God, I believe He will allow you to a better understand of His heart and His ways. I believe He will start to show you, little by little the plans He has for your life. I know for a fact that if 18 years ago if God would have told us that we would have 9 multi racial children with different special needs- we would have ran. I seriously don't think we could have handled that news yet. Because, we were not prepared. 18 years ago we had our eyes set on a different set of plans. But this is what God had for us- and it's better than anything I could have ever dreamed. Has it always been easy? Absolutely not. Sometimes that changing and molding hurts bad. But we kept our eyes on Him, surrendered to His will and said Yes to whatever He had for us. It hasn't always been comfortable- but sure has been GOOD.
So go ahead and spend time before the Lord. Share with Him your heart and your desires, and then really listen. He cares and He loves spending time with you. But be willing to surrender your desires for His. Be willing to trust Him for the best. I promise you that while His plans may look nothing like yours- they will be even better.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
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15 comments:
Good Word! This is something we all need to be reminded of every now and again! His ways are better!
AMEN!
Love you,
Jill
You are really starting to freak me out...LOL I've been looking to hear from Him a lot, but I'm not sure I'm really asking. I sure do like me some neon signs with blaring audio, but I've discovered that if I'm quiet & listen, the whispers can be heard just as well.
DEFINITELY!!!! My life is NOTHING like I would have planned. I would not have planned hurt, pain, and hard times. Instead- God chose to heal me in beautiful ways that were so much more beautiful than I would have planned!
beautifully written Amy,
I agree with you that any time spent in prayer before God putting our desires before Him is important regardless of the outcome.
Often times I've felt that cerain prayer requests are not making their way to God and I've thought it best to cease praying about these things. One time in church our Pastor said that people are always telling him they don't know what God's will is for them and he tells them that "God's Word is God's will for you", that really made perfect sense to me. I believe that if we take that leap of faith and trust in God He will always provide.
I really don't think that God cares as much where we live as He does what we do for HIm. People have told me that they would adopt if they had a bigger home to fit another child or they felt it wasn't the right time.
God's Word tells us to care for the orphan and the right time to do God's Will is now.
Soooo true!!! I am so glad I can rest in knowing that God's ways are so much higher than ours and everything has a purpose...He is so faithful!!!
Well said! Love how God's perfect plans are always what is BEST for us!!
The first part of this post I could have written myself. I search daily and hourly to know the will of God for our lives. And often I get discouraged with answers that don't seem to arrive. My timing but not God's, so on my knees I stay and the continuing use of Lent Boxes.
The words of wisdom you gave, so from the Holy Spirit as it is truth.
Bless you and Thank you!
This post made me cry Amy. Its so hard to wait on His timing. Its so easy to forget that He hears every prayer.
Amy -
i think you wrote this post just for me! you must know where my heart is.... and so many others too, i am sure. thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you... i needed this word of encouragement today! blessings on you and your family.
diana
Oh so true!
Even though my sweet husband and I are in the midst of a very difficult time right now ... a time with many unanswered questions ... a time where life has not brought about what we thought God had for us this year ... we are NOT discouraged ... we are at PEACE that He has a plan ... we continue to cry out to Him for His will, each and every day.
We are about to celebrate our 28th anniversary. We would have never made it to the alter if we had known what the next 28 years had in store for us. We could not have imagined the hard times, the pain, the trials ... yet, at the same time, we could not have imagined the joy and the blessings that He had in store for us ... as parents of a dozen children.
I am exhausted ... I am running on empty ... I am nearing burnout ... yet, I KNOW that I KNOW that I KNOW that He is walking with me through each and every day. He will bring us through.
Thanks for the great reminder.
Laurel :)
Thanks, Amy!
Your words were sweet to my heart today! I want to be that mom of many, living on a farm in the country, too. : ) And my prayers are for so many good and godly things that I know God speaks passionately about in His Word - yet, here I sit in the midst of a pile of hurt, right where He has called me. And it is so painful. And I know it is for my good. Maybe not earthly good - because I don't see much of that at this time yet. But eternal good for sure. All I have here it time. I will wait. I will pray. I will serve.
Thank you again for these precious words!
My friend and I needed this today. I sent her a link to your blog. We've had a lot of drama going on at church for a couple of months and it's making us want something better, different maybe. But realizing that God has us there in the middle of this for a reason and we will all come out "better and different" when God gets us to the other side, having learned what He needs us to. You really do have a gift! Keep using it!
Ditto what everyone else said! :) I needed to hear this today...thanks for sharing...hadn't been to "the Block" in awhile, so was amazed when I saw the new family picture! Beautiful as always, and you have had a busy year! :)
Ava, my four year old, was looking at your blog with me and said she would like to invite Kaden to her birthday! :) This was after she asked if he was Toben's brother. Out of the mouths of babes...
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