Go ahead and wait . . .

Proverbs 3:5-6--Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.

Psalm 9:10--And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 

Psalm 13:5--But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

Psalm 20:7--Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

John 14:11--Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 

While I can't go into a lot of details yet, there is a circumstance I'm in the middle of that is going to affect a lot of people no matter what is decided. I'm kind of partly in charge of this and partially responsible for the outcome. This morning I prayed that no matter what happens that God would be glorified. That I would be patient waiting for His answer (because at this point, it is out of my control. I'm waiting to hear back from the powers that be. I want to know what is happening--whether good or bad). I prayed that we would all be content with whatever God's will is. I thanked God for being in control. I asked God to show His will clearly so that we would know what He wanted us to do. I claimed this verse:

Psalm 112:7--He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

I felt like I gave it all to God. No matter what, I was going to trust that He knows best. I was going to be content with whatever happened. I was going to be patient--it didn't matter how long it took to hear back about everything, I was going to wait patiently. 

Isaiah 26:4--Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. 

I didn't expect to hear an answer less than 2 hours later.

Mind you, it isn't finalized, but it is fairly certain.

One of the "powers-that-be" passed me on the sidewalk. He told me that it doesn't look good. Basically, there is nothing left that we can do. Short of a miracle, that is. I felt a rush of disappointment.

We worked so hard.

We thought of all possible options.

Talked to people.

Sent tons of emails.

Prayed really hard.

Begged God to work out everything according to His will. (But that His will would be the same as OUR will.)

We

Tried

So

Hard.

God chose to do something different. As I was thinking about everything, I was reminded of what we prayed. I got honest with God. Asked Him to help make me

content.

At peace.

That I would trust in Him no matter what. in any circumstance. I really meant it. 

ANY circumstance.

I wanted to trust God. I WANT to trust God.
And I'm learning. It's a hard lesson most of the time. But if God wants me to learn it, He's going to send me circumstances that are out of my control to see if I have learned. I keep failing. Over. And over. And over again. I fall. I freak out. i stress. Complain. But God keeps teaching me. And forgiving me.
Isaiah 26:3--Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.

Mirror image . . .

I saw this quote on pinterest:
"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." ~Gandhi~

(This is going to [hopefully] be a short one--I have to begin studying for exams).

Gandhi is famous for passive, civil disobedience. He is often called the "Father of India". He was raised a Hindu, and claimed to be a "Hindu, Muslim, and a Christian as well". He liked the idea of Christianity. He liked the idea of Christ--a God who would love us so much He would die for us. But then Gandhi looked at the people who claim to be followers of Christ. Those that are supposed to be like Christ. He didn't like what he saw. He didn't notice any resemblance. I know we are not perfect, and we are human. But shouldn't there be an obvious difference between those of us that claim to have Christ living inside of us and those that don't? When people look at you, who do they see?

Your life is a reflection of something. Is it of your desires, wants, plans, dreams, etc.? Or do you reflect Christ?

The Snapshots of your life

So I'm sitting at work, and my work computer is not working, so I can't work. And I'm really sick of studying (BTW, pray for my test this afternoon--I really need to do well on it in order for the rest of my college career to continue as planned).

So I love my job. I have a computer (that normally works), my own little cubicle, and awesome office mates. I have decorated my space with all sorts of awesomeness.

This is my awesome computer mouse--you can't tell, but it lights up! :)

And an alligator stapler :)

and happy food :) Somedays the m&ms and mountain dew is what gets me up in the morning. Don't judge me--I'm an exhausted college student.

I know you can't see all of the pictures, but I have tons of pics of family and friends on the cubicle wall. I have some of my favourite quotes, 2 songs, and (as seen below), 2 hand-made picture frames. Again, don't judge. I'm an Ed. major.

I look at these pictures. There are some from all the years I've been at college. There are pictures of my best friends, my extension, stuff from school projects, and just being goofy. There is my whole society, my cheerleading squad, and pictures from Antigua. I have a picture of my former freshman speech teacher at her recital. Every time I see these people who are so dear to me, I stop and thank God for them. I pray for them.

I look at these pictures and reflect on my life. Look back on the last 3 years. See what God has done for me. In my life. My whole life can be summed up in the snapshots I and others have taken.

I see pictures from the night I was baptized. I publicly declared (as only a blind 6 year old with a 2 foot ponytail can) that Jesus Christ had changed my life forever and that I was now His child.

I see pictures from camp--various decisions made over the years. I see pictures from my school years. Where I learned wayyyyyy more than I ever wanted to know . . . My high-school graduation, surrounded by people who love me.

Then I came to college and suddenly there are tons more pictures. Because I am a social person who loves being over-extended. Sports, music activities, extension, friends, work, etc.

The snapshots of my life point out a path that God has created and directed. There have been times where I've left the path. There aren't as many pictures during those times. When we aren't following God, we struggle and don't have time to take a picture. But when we get back on track, God gives us joy--people tend to usually take happy pictures. The path ahead--God has already seen the pictures I will take. He knows what is ahead, and I can rest in His plan. I don't know what the background will be in my pictures. I don't know where I will be, who I will be with, or what I will be doing. But I have a sovereign God. He has ordained and will ordain all the snapshots of my life. And the moments connecting them.