On Plans and Purpose

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As you may have noticed, it's been very quiet here on the blog. If you know me in real life, then you may have noticed that my social media has been a hit-and-miss for a little while as well. And there are reasons behind it.

Months ago, my husband told me he felt the Lord was about to shake our world. That was fine and well with me, but I had no idea just how "shaken" my world was about to become. And like some of you, I don't do change well. I worry, I fret, I doubt...and I occasionally freak out. I'm going to spare you the details but the Lord opened one door after another and gave us sign after sign and He led us to where we now stand. A year ago, we began looking for another Church; one closer to home (we were, at that time, driving 1.5 hours to Church and couldn't be as involved as we wanted). This past Sunday we praised the Lord for leading us to a new Church where we KNOW God is going to do big things! Along with that new step, like a domino effect, the Lord began to reveal to us His will and His plan. After much prayer and some tears, we have decided to stop traveling with my family's ministry and focus on our ministries here at home. God is opening doors of growth for my husband's prison ministry and has revealed quite a bit of needs here at home and in our new Church that we cannot wait to be involved in!

While thinking and praying about all the many changes occurring in our life (a new baby coming, a new Church, new ministry opportunities), I was led to this verse in Proverbs chapter 16, verse 9:

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

I have always had a lot of plans for myself. I dream big. :) But as I get older, I am learning that we can plan all we want but, ultimately, the Lord leads. We may dream big (and so we should!) but HE dreams BIGGER. And better. Sometimes, He leads us through the mountains where everything is just....so....wonderful!! And easy. And then other times, He may lead us through a valley that is dark and full of twists and turns. Sometimes the path is exactly where we want to go. Other times, it is NOT the path we would prefer to take. And we always have two options:

1) We can either cross our arms and say, "No. THIS was my plan and I think this is just a little bit better. I'm fine right here on my road. But thanks anyway!"

OR

2) We can choose to follow where the Shepherd leads; through rain or through sunshine. Just blindly walking by faith, trusting that He will uphold us, take care of us, and work in and through us. Simple as that.

Grant and I ask for your prayer. More than anything, we want to be willing vessels that the Lord can use however He wants. We want Christ to be glorified and praised in every decision we make and in every area of our life. So, friends, please lift us up as we take steps of faith in doing just that.