Quick Before I Get Sidetrack'd

As I mentioned in my last post, things are not turning out as we had envisioned in regard to our upcoming move.

We were slated to move on Friday, the 20th (a week from tomorrow) and for Matt to begin his new job on Monday, the 23rd. We have a truck reserved, utilities transfers ordered, boxes packed, and are set to sign a lease on an apartment in Nashville on Monday, the 16th.

But now, everything is changing.

The information Matt came across indicated various levels of personality conflict, mismanagement, and incompetence. There also appears to be a huge amount of employee turnover considering the size of the company. In total these factors are significant enough that we began to doubt that things were as good as they originally appeared.

Through much prayer and conversation, we have decided that this isn’t the right position and situation for our family. If the job didn’t require a long-distance move, selling our house, etc, it might be a risk we felt comfortable taking. With things the way they are, it isn’t worth the uncertainty.

Over the last few days we have come to several realizations about God’s work through out this process. From the beginning we have prayed for wisdom, discernment, and that all we did would be about the righteousness of God. I believe this information has come to light in answer of our prayers for wisdom. As my friend Diane said yesterday, it seems like this is protection from the Holy Spirit.

And now, we walk by faith and not by sight. Matt is scheduled to leave his current position as of Thursday, July 19th.

I anticipate the things that are to come. I recognize God’s sovereignty now more than ever. I sit in trust of His faithfulness, of His provision, of His love.

The God I serve has a sense of humor; and if this isn’t proof of that, what comes next will be an even greater adventure!

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

Sheryl has written a series of thoughtful and thought provoking posts this week on her challenge. I’m certain that I won’t be nearly as inspiring, but thought I would give something of an update on the process of God at work in my life.

The last few days I have prayed my verses (Psalms 141:3 and Proverbs 31:26) in full or paraphrase at least once a day. I try to begin each day by focusing on the idea of God setting a guard on my mouth and of opening my mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness.

My reactions to Little have really begun to change from frustration at being interrupted or needed all the time to truly recognizing that she is a blessing and gift from God and that this time in her life will be short and one day I will miss being needed and holding her close to comfort her. Sheryl’s post on Day 2 really made me think about the fact that I am what Little needs right now – I am her security and comfort – and I am the only one who can meet that need.

I did slip up yesterday when I used a hard tone of voice with a security guard. I was meeting friends for lunch and getting irritated at not being able to find a parking spot at the restaurant. When I finally did find a spot, got the car turned off, and started to unbuckle Little, the security guard (for the bank in the next part of the development) informed me that I couldn’t park there unless I had bank business. I commented that there was no sign to that effect; he answered that he was there to be the sign. In frustration I uttered some things in a not so nice tone of voice that were not edifying. Maybe I also need to work on submitting to the authority placed over us.

In regard to the move and the house – we had one showing this week and have received no feedback or additional communication. I’m hoping that this weekend will produce more results – at least more showings – but nothing doing at the moment. I’m trying to focus on the sovereignty of God in this matter. He knows how, when, and to whom the house will sell. All I can do is pray that it will happen quickly and that I won’t be anxious about it.

As I was reading Hebrews this morning, I noticed chapter 2 verse 8 refers to the sovereignty of Christ. The second part of the verse reads, “Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.”

Although the context of this verse is Christ as the author and founder of salvation, I believe that the words everything and nothing are used in the broadest sense meaning that Christ is the head of all things and that all things (in heaven, on earth, and under the earth) are in subjection to him. This means that the sell of my house, a new church home, our move, and the words of my mouth are all under his control. Praise God!

Sheryl at Peanut Butter and Jelly Boats is challenging herself to 21 days of prayer and fasting to help her overcome some issues with what comes out of her mouth (see post here). She invited her fellow bloggers to join in the challenge, and I’ve decided to come alongside both in praying for her and challenging myself.

Although I’m not planning to share whether or not I’m fasting (I’ve decided that this is best left between God and me), I will write about the specific things I’m praying about and through and how God is at work in those things.

Now, since that last sentence was clear as mud, let’s get started.

~~ I will be praying, along with Sheryl, about the words that come out of my mouth; this is a constant struggle. I want the words that I speak to be edifying, gentle, and kind whether I’m speaking to a stranger, a friend, or Matt and Little. I will focus specifically on praying the following verses:

~~ I will be praying about the sale of our house and our impending move; that everything we do will be to the glory of God.

~~ I will be praying about finding a new church home in Nashville. It took us a year and a half to find a church here (that’s a long story for another time), and I’m hopeful that the lessons God taught us in that time only have to be learned once.

Today is actually day two of the challenge (yep, that’s me – a day late and a dollar short), so for the next 20 days I will be praying with and for Sheryl about the words of our mouths and also about these other things.

In other (but somewhat related) news, I’m also challenging myself to get back in the habit of exercising; I’ve always heard that it takes 21 days to create a habit, so the timing is just right. For the next 21 days I will walk or do some other form of exercise (like load and unload boxes) for 30 minutes each day. As a kind of accountability, I will add to the bottom of my posts a note about whether or not I’ve had my walk for the day. So far, so good – Little and I walked for at least 30 minutes both yesterday and today.

A few days ago I was tagged by my wonderful SIL Lu to play along in a meme. I know you have all been anxiously awaiting my great and insightful answers, and you shall wait no longer…

1. Last year I experienced the miracle that is life for the first time – pregnancy and childbirth – what amazing and beautiful experiences.

2. In 2004-2005 I experienced buying and then selling (11 months later) a house for the first time. I learned that when you offer your life, your marriage, your home to God and truly mean it, He sometimes takes you up on the offer.

3. In the last four years I’ve learned how very difficult it is to leave a group of friends who are like family and that the work involved in maintaining a strong friendship across the distance of hundreds of miles is worth it.

4. Over the last four years I’ve grown in my understanding of God, His will, and His church and learned to trust and believe in new and increasing ways.

1. I want to have more children if it is the pleasure of God to bless us in that way.

2. I would like to experience the freedom of living a debt free life (we’re almost there!).

3. I want to teach Little to read.

4. I would like to learn at least one new skill or hobby.

I honestly can’t remember who all has already participated in this one, so I’m not going to tag anyone. If you would like to play along, let me know in the comments so I can read your responses.

The last few weeks have been rough on me. There hasn’t been anything major, or even anything specific, but I’ve felt weary and worn most days; coming down with the plague hasn’t helped things either. I’m pretty confident in the fact that my malaise stems, at least in part, from not spending the time that I should in prayer, scripture reading, and meditation on the things of God. When I get out of the habit of quiet time I tend to find myself besieged by the thoughts and worries of the world.

Toward the end of last week I was reading a post at Days to Come and came across this sentence, “But my future is in the hands of the same God who was sovereign of my past.” This thought has stuck with me for several days, reverberating around in my head at various times.

It isn’t healthy to dwell on the past, but it is good to consider from time to time how God has been faithful in your past. Looking back I can see how God orchestrated events, people, and places to make me the person, wife, mother, and Christ follower that I am today. Reflection of this type leads me to gratefulness and praise which leads me back into the throne room of the Father.

This life isn’t always easy. We are beset daily by the cares and struggles of a fallen world, but I know that He is in control and that he is faithful. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” In this I can rest. In this I find joy.