It seems that I have fallen into the pattern of moving every
4 years or so, and through this tiring experience—I’ve learned to trust God
more.
My first encounter with God taking over the move was in
1993. I found myself with a preterm baby and 18 year old nursing student and
unable to pay my rent. Long story short, the Lord used my sister to make a 2
bedroom apartment available that I could afford. But there was one hitch—I had
to sign a lease—sight unseen! I really didn’t have a choice but to trust Him. It was
either that or a shelter.
It was a beautiful apartment with a total of 11 windows,
which translated into a lot of sunlight. Even though I was a baby in the Lord,
I knew a miracle when I saw one. I lived there for 9 years and encountered some problems as the better tenants moved out and the not so good ones moved in, before it was my time to leave—but I never lost sight of how God had given me such a beautiful place to live and the way He did it. (In fact at the time,
I felt so unworthy of His love and would have been grateful just to not have to
go into a shelter.) I even homeschooled my youngest there for 4 years.
Though I have matured in many ways over the years, I still have a lot of learning to do. But one thing I seem to understand better at this juncture, is that there are
things we don’t have to ask for and there are things we shouldn’t be wasting
time asking for.
You might ask, "Why is that?"
Because when we trust God to handle our business for us, He
knows what’s best!
Last month I had a conversation with a dear friend concerning
whether God was going to allow me to take a piece of furniture I wanted to my new home. It
wasn’t clear if it would make the move because of a few different reasons. In
situations such as these it’s best to turn it over to God. He knew I desired to
take it and He knew the circumstances surrounding it, so I conceded to whatever
He decided. If it went with me—okay. If it didn’t make the trip—okay.
When I shared this with her, she responded by telling me she
was going to go to the Throne on my behalf concerning this matter. Her response
was out of love for me and her confidence in the Lord hearing her prayers—but there
really wasn’t a need. It was already settled between me and the
Lord, so she need not waste her time. There was nothing new she could bring to the table.
In my last three moves, God has
surprised me or given me something I either had a great desire for or never
ever thought about. So, with this very recent move, I didn’t ask for one thing—I
left it up to Him to work it out.
“2007” Moved into a house that had been gutted and redone.
In fact it was the best house on the block and the biggest gift was a—spa tub.
For years I was a huge fan of HGTV and at the time the rage was all about spa
tubs. Yet I never desired to have one, but when I got it…I loved it!
“2011” Moved into a 3 story house with my oldest daughter and 4 grandchildren in a beautiful
suburban community full of restaurants, shopping areas and so many cool
My neighbors loved the flowers and I loved the conversations when they stopped while taking their dogs for walks. Oh, and a hidden gem was a walking trail that lead to a duck pond.
“2015” Just moved and became a roomie—first time since
college. There are so many fantastic things about this place I don’t even know
where to begin. J
I guess the new people in my life would be a good start. Between my roomie’s grown
daughter, our next door neighbor (my new friend) and some of her other
girlfriends, I am having the time of my life. We dance (I so love to dance),
play cards and dominoes and best of all my roomie is a foodie, Italian and can
cook! Yes, we do a lot of talking, laughing and having fun over good plates of food.
And though our condo/townhouse is in a shady spot, my
bedroom is flooded with sunlight when the rest of the house is darker. And with
the central air conditioning (another great gift, I never asked for), I've
been very comfortable through two long heat waves and I even made soup
yesterday. You may not think making soup during the dog days of August a big
deal, but this is a first for me. I didn’t have to wait until the fall and cool
weather to enjoy homemade soup, which by the way I love!
Let's take a look at how the Lord has pulled this all together for me...I was raised having a dimly
light and dark bedroom—God showed me how much good sunlight lifts my spirits.
In the neighborhood I grew up in, sitting on the porch was a wonderful past
time, which living in apartments is something you must give up. For 4 years He
gave me one that surpassed any I have ever had before. I grew up taking baths
and have a love for them, so the spa tub was something playful and delightful.
And the central air is a blessing because I’m getting older and really don’t
like the heat.
Though each place I've lived has had something different to offer, there is one common thread and that is sunlight. God has made sure to never put me in a place that reminds me of the prison I grew up in. Only He could figure that out for me.
I remember back in the early 90’s when the name it and claim
it message was rising up, and I heard preachers telling us to be specific in
asking God for what you wanted. “Lord, I want a 6 bedroom house in a gated community
on the west side with 3 baths and a 3 car garage and 3 new cars to go in it. Oh
wait; let me tell you exactly what models, makes and colors of the cars I want.”
Some of us are still in that mindset today. God is not our doting
grandfather; He is not an internet shopping website nor a JC Penny’s catalog. He is God, a loving Father who knows best and when allowed, will give
us those things that will truly enhance our lives in ways we never would have
thought of.
When we can trust God enough to take care of the particulars, we
fair much better in life. He knows what the future holds. Yes, your family might be
bursting at the seams in the house you’re in and would love more space or an
extra bathroom. But, stop bugging God about it and turn it over to Him. Trust
Him in the matter, which will not allow dissatisfaction to creep in and you find
yourself in a place of complaining and being ungrateful for where you are and what you
have.
We are being taught to say affirmations, and that can be a
really good thing for us…but! The but is on the material things, versus the
spiritual things. It can be very profitable for us to get up every day proclaiming our healing
(whether body, mind or soul), that we are made in the image of God (if you
suffer from depression and low self-esteem), that God loves you and will never
leave you or forsake you (as you travel through a period of grief). But I think it is time to leave looking for checks in the mail and this that and the other behind us. And I say this
because the more I study what it is to seek living in the Kingdom of God the
better handle I'm beginning to get on understanding what Jesus is saying here. Click
to read Matthew
6:25-33 Amp
Sisters, let’s dig into God through prayer and the reading and
studying of His Word. That we may grow to trust Him to take care of our business.
I mean Jesus himself, tells us that our Father knows what we have need of—trust Him to
supply it—His way. We often ask for a vase of roses, when God desires to let us
free in a field of wild flowers. Amen!
P.S. The piece of furniture didn't make the move. ~Smile~
P.S. The piece of furniture didn't make the move. ~Smile~
Until next week...
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