Good morning! What a beautiful day! God’s glory is shining and brilliant here in the Pacific Northwest. Here is a picture of Mount Rainier that I see every day when I leave my neighborhood. I’m in awe of the beauty of His creation all the time, can you imagine the splendor and beauty of Heaven? I try, but the limitations of my earthly mind can’t even begin to comprehend it! 🙂
God brought us out to Washington state, five years ago this Thanksgiving, because of my husband’s job. This state was never on our “radar” because neither one of us had ever been here. I am so thankful to God that He brought us here and none of it was our doing. In fact, in our worldly plans and vision, we were counting on a different move and promotion to Florida. I am so glad that God’s plans and will for my life are not my own.
Eight years ago, my husband was working a full year straight towards a promotion and moving to the East Coast. Many special projects, meetings, and extra hours helped solidify his promotion to Regional Manager of Loss Prevention of the Florida/Georgia market for the company he works for. It was practically a done deal. I picked out the new city we would live in, where our daughters would attend school, and a “tentative” timeframe for our move. Yet, it wasn’t meant to be.
My husband came home from work one Fall evening looking upset. Standing in our kitchen, he relayed the news to me that they had given the job to another Regional Manager. Apparently, his wife was suffering from cancer and would get better treatment in Florida. Also, they had family in that area. My husband was devastated, as though all of his “extra” work would be wasted. I hugged my husband, and spoke the following words, “I’m not ready to leave my doctor’s yet. I don’t know why.”
Time moved forward, and the new year dawned, my 39th year on this planet. As many of you know, my mom died of cancer at this very age. I am very meticulous with taking care of myself and going to all of my yearly check-ups. This year was not any different, except my test results were not good.
One of my doctors, because of my family history, did additional testing that she normally never would have. In fact, she told me that she was going to be using my situation and subsequent testing as a teaching example. I went through several procedures, medicines, and check-ups. At the last visit, she told me I was going to be okay and that I just needed check-ups every three months for the next couple of years. What she said next floored me, I had no idea the severity of my situation, but God did. She said this to me: “If I hadn’t done the additional testing, you may not have been here next year.”
Immediately, my heart and mind went back to the first thought I had after my husband did not get his promotion, “I’m not ready to leave my doctor’s yet.” Wow! In this moment, I learned to trust God with any change He brings to my life. He knows my whole story, my husband’s story, and my kids’ story. I trust Him with everything.
You see, after my mom died I lived in paralyzing fear that any illness I had was cancer and that I would die young like my mom. It got so bad that any affliction I had, had to be major and terminal. Through this situation and His Word, God revealed to me that He holds all of my days and will move mountains (or prevent a move) to keep me in the will He has for my life. This is why Psalm 139:16 is so close to my heart:
“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”
He has my days, my anxiety of sickness, dying young, leaving my children at a young age, etc., all in the palm of His hand. I rest and trust in God’s provision, presence, and promises. I leave the outcome to God.
Jesus Calling, November 19th says the following, “Leave outcomes to me. Follow me wherever I lead, without worrying about how it will all turn out. Think of your life as an adventure, with Me as your Guide and companion. Live in the now, concentrating on staying in step with Me. You already know the ultimate destination of your journey: your entrance into heaven. So keep your focus on the path just before you, leaving outcomes up to me” (Young, 338).
God had better plans for my husband’s job. Two and a half years after he worked incredibly hard for a promotion that wasn’t meant to be, God blessed him with a better job in Washington State. He orchestrated every step that brought us out here. Has it been easy and non-stressful? No! Moving, changing jobs, uprooting children, finding a new church, doctor, etc. is not easy. However, God’s presence was (and is) in ALL of it, and there is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will. Amen?!!!
I pray that whether you are in plentiful or want, sorrow or joy, you draw your strength from God and leave the outcome to Him. Nothing is wasted when you trust Him and allow His will to lead your life. After all, He knew all of your days before one came to pass. 🙂
“Trust Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
All the glory to God!!
Shanon
Young, Sarah. “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence.” Thomas Nelson Publishing. Print. 2004.
In the fall of 1990, while my mother was sick with cancer, the church I was attending at the time had copies of a monthly devotional book called, “Our Daily Bread.” Several copies were placed neatly on a table along with the monthly bulletins and tithe envelopes. Because of my extreme anguish and pain at the time, I was hungry for anything from God to soften my pain and give peace to my anxious soul. I immediately grabbed one and devoured page after page. I still have the tattered, highlighted, and ear-marked copy. It is a testament to me of God’s faithfulness and love, and yes, new beginnings.
over the Potomac River, I imagined our First President, mulling over the day and collecting the very thoughts that led him to be known as the Founder of American Democracy. Washington’s dream (and legacy) was of a free and democratic country; liberty and justice for all. “While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the rights of conscience in others, ever considering that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him…” (Mount Vernon.org).
I pray you didn’t. I don’t want you to miss anything our Heavenly Father has for you! I get it though, it can be hard to stop what you are doing and heed the call.
Heaven Sent Sentiments 