Twists and Turns....

During the last few months our family has been going through some amazing changes. My husband left on a missionary journey on the famous Appalachian Trail and his main goal was to tell as many hikers as possible about our Savior Jesus Christ and then share how important the role of fathers is. The Lord opened many doors to share one on one, as well as, crowds of kids and young adults. Then, the Lord allowed him to only hike to the Connecticut - New York line.

"Honey," said my husband on the other end of the phone, "are you willing to come from Georgia and pick me up here?'' My reply being, "Of course!" That was an unexpected twist from our well laid plans!

Proverbs 20:24 says,

"A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?"

Proverbs 16:9 says,

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

It seems when these twists come into our lives we begin to question our Savior with forgetting that He holds this whole world and everything in His majestic hands! I have noticed that usually it is not a twist or turn at one time, but several! That is how He works! His ways are definitely not ours!

Picking up my husband was one of the longest car trips I remember taking, but maybe the key word is "remembering." The reunion was unspeakable to say the least. Tears of great joy, with a little of mixed emotions, and still wondering what the Lord was doing, but we trust Him!

The next big turn on our road ahead led us to Bowling Green, Kentucky. We have been praying about a move there for almost a year because in our heart we knew our ministry here was coming to an end for now. We then realized that Ft. Knox, where our son is going to be stationed, is only an hour or so away!

We met a Pastor and his beautiful wife whom my husband had contacted almost a year ago. They shared their needs and desire for the fellowship. You see we had known about the needs almost a year ago, but nothing happened. The big twist came when we were all together as one in Spirit! Our hearts were tugged by our Savior Jesus Christ.

In John 16:13 when the Lord was speaking to the disciples He says,

"However when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

I love this passage for we also have the Holy Spirit and He unites us as believers and it doesn't matter what part of the country you are in because He, the Holy Spirit, unites us! Beautiful!

The family (all 11 of us) were all in one accord in our decision to move. The Lord began opening doors so fast that our twists and turns became very noticeable. The first twist we had was when we found the home at the last moment, and then we didn't have it anymore and then the last turn is that we now have our beautiful Bowling Green, Kentucky home. It is the Lord's home and it belonged to Him from the beginning.

Watching our kids handle the twists and turns and even a little curve ball that our Savior allowed to be thrown at us was a real blessing to me as a mother, mentor, and wife! In John 16:33, He says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!"

Whether we call them twists, turns or circumstances He is still in total control. He watches our steps, He directs them, He turns them, He twists them, He curves them, and He puts them in direct paths for us to follow!

In John 14:27, He says, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This is the peace that is taking us to our new mission field. The Lord promises in Matthew 6:25-34 that He will take care of all our needs and not to worry as He says, in verse 33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Then is verse 34 He says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things, Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

As I am sharing with you today, we are preparing to be in Bowling Green on the second week of September, Lord willing! We are all excited and ready to do His calling and His will! What if there was a twist in that? How will I handle that?

Close and Personal:

1. Have you recognize the twists and turns in your life?

2. Have you said thank you to Him when they have happened?

3. What was your immediate response? Has that changed and How?

My dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for always looking out for our best interest! Father help us to have a thankful attitude towards those twists and turns in our lives. Sometimes it has been because you have kept us out of harms way and had something much better for us. We love you so much, Lord and thank you for loving us first!