This Life I Live
It was October, 1994. I remember it vividly.
My husband, Chris, and I were sitting on the floor in our one-bedroom apartment in San Antonio, Texas, writing our very first song together. We volunteered our time and talents to lead worship at our church, as well as minister to teenagers. We loved it and enjoyed pouring into people. It was a nice, convenient gig that served us quite well and also touched a few others along the way. We were happy. Life was good.
Until, that is, my husband appeared to me with this announcement: "I think we're being called into full-time ministry."
Do wha???
My thoughts immediately jumped to me and my level of comfort: I can't be a pastor's wife. I don't look like a pastor's wife. I am not as nice as a pastor's wife. And I certainly don't act or talk like a pastor's wife. And for the love, I cannot wear denim jumpers with apples on them for the rest of my life.
But, when I calmed down, I started to pray. Eventually, I surrendered the dreams, aspirations and ambitions that I thought would be the catalyst for happiness in my life. And it was at this time that I truly found life.
And an abundant one at that.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV) says, "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Many take this verse out of context and think that God will give them anything they desire if they just play nice and go to church on Sundays.
Not so.
Because everything we want is not what is God's best for us.
I have found that when I truly delight myself in the Lord, the desires I once had fade and are replaced with Kingdom desires, wishes and wants. The life I thought was so amazing before can hold no candle to where I am now.
And that can only be explained by the promises of God that are so richly awarded to those who seek Him with their whole hearts.
Share a time when you surrendered something you thought was so wonderful only to find that the Creator of the universe had something so much better in mind.
In Him,
Join Cindy daily at her website CindyBeall.com
Labels: Christian walk, Cindy Beall
posted by Anonymous @ 12:15 AM
12 Comments:
May you always be sweetly blessed.
Great post! I remember back in my late teens early twenties that all I wanted was to be a commercial artist and have a career and that included no children. I never liked babysitting and kids just didn't fit into MY plan. Well a wonderful husband and 3 kids later I wouldn't change my life for anything. God knew what was best for me. I never became a commercial artist, instead I use those talents to bless my family and friends. I love being a Mom and I thought those words would NEVER come out of my mouth back in the day!
Thank you for a great post and a reminder that God is in control and all we have to do is surrender and enjoy the ride.
Blessings to you.
Kim
Couldn't name just one. He still teaches me to trust Him. You'd think I'd always remember that, but I don't.
Your good no matter where you write. You give me something to think about all the time.
It's funny that this is your post this morning! Because I was reminded of a similiar situation I was faced with a couple of years ago as I dropped the kids off at school today! My husband had accepted a job that would require him to go to Australia for a year. He has always traveled for his job, so this was no big shock to us. But this time was different. We felt the need to stay together. I remember the phone conversation where I said "we could mover over with you." And then hanging up the phone and thinking "what did I just say?" I couldn't move, not now. I had just started a new job, I was very involved with ministries at the church...I needed to stay here..how could they survive without me?! But after much prayer, it was clear that the kids and I were to go with Brett! And our time in Australia was a true blessing...it was amazing! So, I agree with you completely, that when we surrender "our plans" to God's perfect plan, the outcome is amazing.
I'm a northern girl at heart. After living and marrying in Florida, I was ecstatic that my husband got a new job in my home state waaaay up north.
For two years we LOVED it, and enjoyed the fall leaves, the snow, our new church, our great neighbors and our beautiful new house. Everything was perfect...except for hubby's job. He hated working in the auto industry.
We began praying towards the end of our 2nd year there and hubs decided he would begin sending out resumes in the area to see if he'd get any nibbles. In the meantime, he received a call (out of the blue?) from Florida with an offer for a dream job. But to return back to the Florida we didn't like?? We'd had quite enough humidity, giganta-spiders and flat topography, thank you very much. And we aren't beach people.
Yet inexplicably, our hearts leapt. And we knew. We KNEW we were supposed to go back...boy did we laugh out loud over the irony.
Seven years later we're still here, in the exact middle of God's will and HIS plan.
i'm chewing on this today
Awesome stuff.
My "burning bush in the middle of my living room" was when I felt God leading me to homeschool part-time. I am THE most unstructured, unstable, inconsistent and non-teacher type person and thought He must be kidding. He wasn't. And the blessings that He has poured out as a result, mainly through my own sanctification has been nothing short of glorious. Thank you for the reminder.
I am going through a purging season at this very moment. It is hard, to say the least. But, I am trusting God to get me and my family through it. I know wherever He leads us, we will be fulfilled because we are following His lead. Your article was wonderful and it greatly touched me right where I am.
Blessings,
Starr
At first, I didn't want to be a full-time stay at home mom. My husband really wanted me to. I gave in and now I wouldn't trade it for the world! Cindi
when i quit teaching. i knew it was going to be best for us as a family fro me to be home. but i had NO idea how much it would benefit me physically, mentally and spiritually. i was so worn out working i had no idea! we knew God was calling me back home to focus more on the fam...but had no idea the healthful benefits that were on the way. He saw something that needed fixed that to us, became our "normal". He is SO smart like that!
this blog blessed me today...my hubby is the lead pastor of a church plant and making the choice to put our family in this postion was hard especially walking in the unseen but like u said what we want isn't always what god wants For us and if we trust him we will see him work mightly in our lives and the lives of others
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