Finding Rest in His Plan

I have a 45 minute commute to work. I'm only there three days a week so it's not daunting. However, I always feel like I'm running behind because before I head to work I drop 3 kids at school and one child to grandma. If anyone runs the least bit behind, then I'm behind. The only way to make up that time, in my mind, is to exceed the speed limit ever so slightly. *wink*wink.

Today was no exception. Driving down the freeway I saw the familiar shape of a law enforcement vehicle. I was going 67 mph in a 65 zone, so I was comfortable to pass him as he was caught behind a semi truck and going below the speed limit. As I passed him I noticed two things; first, he was off duty and second he was from a town 20 miles south of where I was.

"Great," I thought, "I'm going to be stuck going the speed limit for the next 20 miles."


I considered hiding between semi-trucks until I could get far enough away that I could make up some time and get to work. Then a question hit me...how often do we, as Christians do the same thing? We drive 80 mph until we see a police car then we slow down. Are we waiting for God to put up an "out of service" sign so we can get passed him and continue on our same path. 

Instead of speeding toward something that may or may not be part of his plan for your life, why not rest in His shadow. He will empower everything we do if we let Him.

Let's imagine we have done that. We have rested in His shadow and allowed his plan to be unveiled slowly. Can you imagine how much more energy we'll have to do His work? 


Rest in Him

Daddy to the Rescue

I caught a glimpse of God through my husband today. It's a beautiful thing when moments like this one occur.
The neighborhood kids were outside as usual, tossing the ball around. My kids quickly got their football and joined in on the fun.  My oldest (and quietest) son, Isaac, went across the street where the lawn spans three homes without a break.  A couple of older and bigger kids came to play too. The game quickly turned from a friendly game of catch to a competitive game of tackle. Rather than come crying or tattling to me or demanding he get his ball back, he came home to play.

When I asked him what happened (even though I saw the whole thing unfold) he simply said, "I didn't want to play anymore." I asked him why, to which he simply responded, "tackle."
The mother bear in me wanted to go demanding the ball back or tell them to go back to the game of catch. But I know my son. He would have hated me doing that!

He started  a new game with the smaller of the boys. They didn't want to participate in the tackle game either so they came to our yard with Isaac.  But, as I've been told by more than one (non-related) adult lately...people follow Isaac. There's something about him to which other kids gravitate. So of course the other boys came over, along with a girl who was smaller, but her mouth was just as big.

I texted my husband who was next door at the church. Three simple sentences, "Come out. Big and big mouthed boys. Your son's intimidated."

Sure enough the steel doors of the church opened and I thought, "oooo...now you're gonna get it, boys...."
I should have known better. My husband in his own quiet way, joined in the game.  Without anyone (but me) noticing- the simple game of catch Isaac was hoping for gradually made it's way to a different part of the yard. 

Isn't that how God moves sometimes? He doesn't completely change our circumstance or take that difficult situation away the way we hope He does. He just, every so quietly, puts himself between us our situation. He takes the brunt of whatever force comes at us. What a comfort that gives me.

I am so grateful. So blessed. So beyond amazed that I was chosen to be His!

God's Plans and Timing

As Christians we all say some pretty basic things about our "walk." We say things like, "God's never late/He's always on time;" "God's timing is perfect." We remind people, in times of difficulty, of Romans 8:28 which says, ^"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I'd like to share with you how I know these things to be true, specifically, in my life.

About 18 years ago a man named, Bill Clark, feeling led of God, left his hometown and successful business. His wife, Pat, was in a place of management at her job.  Their sons, Mike and Will, were in junior high and high school with friends they'd known their whole life. They moved to a town where they only knew one other family, Bill's sister and her family.

Starting from scratch, they struggled to maintain the business and Pat had much difficulty finding a job. They struggled for a long time, but Bill finally gave up his business and went to work for someone else and Pat found a job with nowhere near the benefits of her previous job.

When Bill and Pat found a church they could call home, it was 20 minutes away.  However, it was the right fit for them and their family. They lead youth and their sons eventually became a part of the worship team.  Will and Mike even found girlfriends through this church.

Fast forward a few years....Bill and Pat are managing at their respective jobs but certainly not without difficulty by way of illness, injury and finance.  Mike has the same girlfriend but Will has moved on. 
It just so happens Mike's girlfriend, Amy, goes to school with someone she thinks might be interested in Will. So it becomes a setup.  Amy has her friend, Elaine, drive her the 20 minutes to Will and Mike's house to meet the family.

Fast forward again...Will and the "setup," Elaine get married followed the next year by Mike and Amy.  Today Will & Elaine and Mike & Amy have given Bill and Pat 1 grandchild in Heaven and 7 here on earth.

Why go through that whole story? To tell you! God's timing is perfect, "He works all things for the good of of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

I'm sure Bill and Pat wondered why God brought them from their, "good" life just to be trapped by the pain and struggle of this path. We may wonder why God's taken us on a particular journey and maybe you question whether you're even walking in His will. But PLEASE consider He may working out his purpose through you and maybe not specifically for you. That's a tough one to swallow, I'm sure. But if Bill and Pat had given up and run back to what was comfortable and safe, I wouldn't have my husband or 5 children, who I love so dearly!