Joy in the Journey

2016 was a tough year for my family, we were getting blows from multiple sides. My husbands health continued to decline, we had a doctor take advantage of us, injections that caused more harm than good, a heartbreaking fall out with some family members over our different religious beliefs, the kids were hitting a rough stride in school, and so the list goes on.

I started praying for direction for my life at the beginning of 2016, I wanted Gods will more than anything (still do :) I wanted Him to use me and to find a purpose in my life based on His desires not my own. I started praying for this every day. Let your will be done, use me Lord, send me Lord, use my life for your purpose and your glory. I felt like God started speaking to me amidst the pain that He was going to use me.

I had an opportunity to take a preaching/teaching class over the summer. I remember some people even discouraging me from what I felt was God speaking to me to take this class. It was a 6 month class. The first two sessions I came home in tears. Why had I wasted my life? I was Gods girl when I was young and I threw it all way for what? People who didn't love me, lifestyles that didn't suite me, so much wasted time. Now I am a grown woman, how can I make an impact for His kingdom this late in the game. I stuck with it though, I loved the class, I wish even now I could just stop everything I am doing and go to seminary.  I wrote a sermon about trials and at the end presented it to my class.

Around August I got a call from a woman at our church. Her and her husband were seeking Gods direction and the pastor had an opportunity for them but if she took this opportunity it would mean she couldn't teach the Women's Sunday School class any more, she had called to ask me if I wanted to take over the class. I was floored, I felt warm tears brimming my eyes, this was God. He had already spoken this to me and He was bringing it to reality.

I recently had the opportunity to work with a couple of wonderful godly women to plan a Women's Worship Night. I presented my sermon I wrote in the preaching/teaching class earlier that year.

I don't know where God is taking me or how He plans to use me but I know this - Do not listen to the people who speak unbelief to your heart, do not listen to the enemy who wants to diminish your worth rather listen to the Lord who has a plan for you, who loves you, and who is ready to use you for His glory! I would never have had the blessings I have had during the trials I have faced if I had listened to the doubt. Keep praying for Gods will in your life and watch Him reveal it!
We have some awesome tech guys and gals at our church who recorded the Women's Worship Night! The first video below is our amazing worship leader Kelsey singing Break Every Chain and How can it Be. My friend Laura is speaking about Our Living Hope! (I must say she tells the best flea story I have ever heard :) The second video is Kelsey singing Place of Freedom, Lord I Need You and Not for a Moment, I speak about finding Joy Through Trials.

Never forget God has a plan for you, whether you know it or not He does. If that plan is at its infancy trust Him for He who started a good work in you will be faithful to complete it!