I must say that I am truly blessed with some amazing friends and an AMAZING God who divinely orchestrates my life. My mind is still reeling a bit from the way God has moved over the last few days. He never ceases to amazing me and no matter how many times He shows Himself faithful and loving, it has me in awe like its our first encounter.
Last week, I came face to face with my financial situation (working to pay off debt...slow process) and I was feeling a bit discouraged. Being a single mom makes you very aware of the amount of pennies you having coming in and out and how sometimes there is a huge gap in between. I worry about money (I know God does not give me a spirit of fear, but I am working on that) quite often and several facets of my life and future hinge on money. School is on hold right now because I am questioning whether or not counseling is the most viable career option since the pay stinks even though its something I love to do. Missions is something I want to do more of but again, money is always my biggest concern. I could go on and on.
However, God kinda checked me a few weeks ago and reminded me that money should not be the root of my decision making. He is the ultimate provider and no matter how much or how little money I make, my family will always be taken care of. He has the tendency to do some amazing supernatural stuff so I don't know why I sometimes doubt Him. So here I was last week, staring at my future on a piece of paper and I decide enough was enough. No more worry, no more stress, just a complete surrender to God to let Him take over and guide me.
A couple of days later, I got a semi hysterical call from a close friend who had just had the greatest epiphany from God that changed her life completely. She finally realized that her high powered six figure salary meant nothing if she was missing out on her family and actually doing God's will. She planned to quit her job soon and pursue what makes her happy. She was experiencing the total freedom that comes when you obey God. Just a few minutes later, I got a call from another friend that is barely making ends meet and its stressing her to no end. Because I was in a place of complete surrender to God about my own money woes, I allowed the Holy Spirit to speak through me calmly and confidently about God's view on money, His desire to provide and the first steps she needs to take to get back on track. Yeah, I was shocked at myself. After I took some time to process both phone calls, I realized God was giving me a view of life from two different prospectives. He showed me the freedom and joy my life can have when I surrender my worries to Him just like my first friend did. He also showed me the bondage that I would remain in if I decided to continue to try to figure life out on my own and not allow Him to help like my other friend is.
I would much rather have my freedom and joy in a beautiful and humble surrender to Him.
In that one morning, I was finally at a place where I was not worried about money. Worrying wont solve my problem so why waste the energy. I am sure God was standing over me saying "Finally! I thought you would never catch on." Amazing things happen when you surrender your worries to God. He starts to move in your life in crazy ways. Usually the problems we have stem from us being in the way of what God wants to do in our lives. A friend had to remind me that I am standing in the way of God doing some amazing things because I am still trying to figure out how I am going to make things work out. But like the Bible says, God makes all things work together for the good of those who believe in Him. Once, I decided to fully surrender, it wasn't even a full week that went by when I was presented with the most radical blessing. It's kinda still blowing my mind but I know it is absolutely God ordained. I won't go into details but God has used my friends to show me that when you surrender your burdens to Him, He will definitely make things work together for the good of those who believe in Him.
A beautiful and worthy surrender indeed.
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friendship. Show all posts
Monday, August 15, 2011
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Lesson Learned
Tonight, I learned a valuable lesson. I learned that I may not be as great a friend as I think I am. One slight totally joking comment turned the course of a conversation with my best friend, opening the flood gates and releasing a lot of pent up frustration and anger. I had offended her and didn't even realize it until it was too late, but I am totally glad she checked me.
Proverbs 12:1 says "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." Tonight, I had to be corrected. I had to be corrected for the way I had been treating my dear friend and approaching her about areas of her life. I believe at some point, I strayed away from being supportive to being more realistic and harsh and critical. Though I feel I had my reasons for being that way with her, rarely is there a good reason to hurt someone. I can't even say I was totally oblivious to some of the things I have said. There have been times when something came out of my mouth that I wish I could take back. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Despite it all, I saw how my words hurt and my new found busy life and lack of time for her has made her feel. She deserves my attention and support just like the other people I surround myself with. Even though I always see her as one of my strongest friends who can always weather the storms of life, she is human and emotional just like I am. Though she can be tough as nails, she wears her heart on her sleeve. She needs to be inspired and motivated just like everyone else. She needs to be encouraged and praised. She needs a friend that will give her the honest truth but also a dose of kind heartedness too. Truth be told, I enjoy the fact that I don't have to hold her hand through every crisis like I do some people, but I also lost sight of the fact that sometimes she does need her hand held.
Our friendship has lasted longer than any other friendship I've ever had. Distance has separated us physically but never severed our bond. I have often been envious of her freedom, her light heartedness, her boldness, her drive. However, my heart breaks when she is sad, disappointed, gotten her heartbroken, anything that causes her to frown. I always wish I can shield her from the evils of this world and introduce her to the new life that I have found. A new life where she knows her worth is already established in the eyes of Christ and commands the respect and love that she deserves. A new life where sadness and pain are cast off on her Savior and blessings flow abundantly. A new life full of promise, purpose, hope, love, joy, freedom, blessings, everything she deserves and more.
I will stand corrected tonight and continue to pray for her heart to be made whole again and for her to have that life changing Christ encounter where she shakes off the old and embraces her new life. Everyone has their turning point in life and my journey is not hers. But I can still be a good friend that is supportive, encouraging and a living letter for Christ.
Proverbs 12:1 says "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." Tonight, I had to be corrected. I had to be corrected for the way I had been treating my dear friend and approaching her about areas of her life. I believe at some point, I strayed away from being supportive to being more realistic and harsh and critical. Though I feel I had my reasons for being that way with her, rarely is there a good reason to hurt someone. I can't even say I was totally oblivious to some of the things I have said. There have been times when something came out of my mouth that I wish I could take back. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Despite it all, I saw how my words hurt and my new found busy life and lack of time for her has made her feel. She deserves my attention and support just like the other people I surround myself with. Even though I always see her as one of my strongest friends who can always weather the storms of life, she is human and emotional just like I am. Though she can be tough as nails, she wears her heart on her sleeve. She needs to be inspired and motivated just like everyone else. She needs to be encouraged and praised. She needs a friend that will give her the honest truth but also a dose of kind heartedness too. Truth be told, I enjoy the fact that I don't have to hold her hand through every crisis like I do some people, but I also lost sight of the fact that sometimes she does need her hand held.
Our friendship has lasted longer than any other friendship I've ever had. Distance has separated us physically but never severed our bond. I have often been envious of her freedom, her light heartedness, her boldness, her drive. However, my heart breaks when she is sad, disappointed, gotten her heartbroken, anything that causes her to frown. I always wish I can shield her from the evils of this world and introduce her to the new life that I have found. A new life where she knows her worth is already established in the eyes of Christ and commands the respect and love that she deserves. A new life where sadness and pain are cast off on her Savior and blessings flow abundantly. A new life full of promise, purpose, hope, love, joy, freedom, blessings, everything she deserves and more.
I will stand corrected tonight and continue to pray for her heart to be made whole again and for her to have that life changing Christ encounter where she shakes off the old and embraces her new life. Everyone has their turning point in life and my journey is not hers. But I can still be a good friend that is supportive, encouraging and a living letter for Christ.
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