I grew up in a wonderful Christian home and was raised in church. Church was not an option in my house. I am thankful for a father and mother who knew the importance of raising a family in church. So you may wonder why I didn't accept Christ as my Savior sooner in life.
Like a lot of people I have met over the years, I had made a profession of faith when I was five years old. But growing up I always doubted if I truly did accept Christ. When I was sixteen years old, the Holy Spirit convicted me at a youth activity about my need of repentance and salvation. I understood then that salvation was more than saying "I'm sorry for my sins and Jesus forgive me." It was a repentance - a turning from- my old ways and sin nature and desiring to do what was right ( and doing it!). From that day on I was determined to do what was right with God's help. It was the best decision I have ever made!
Okay back to arriving at Heartland Baptist Bible College...
Oklahoma, where the wind goes sweeping through the plains. And that's about all there is there- plains and red dirt. Just kidding ( a little).
So I left my beaches and sunshine to go to college in the great state of Oklahoma. As I had mentioned before I was hesitant to go to college right away. I wanted to build my career and then transfer out to Oklahoma and go to college. But I went when the Lord told me to. And guess what? Shortly after I arrived in OKC, Starbucks nationally raised the pay for all supervisors in the company. Who would have ever thought that would happen? Not I! It was reassuring to see that even in my finances the Lord was going to take care of me. This was the first time I saw the Lord bless me for stepping out on faith and trusting Him.
And of course a few years later, the Lord brought this handsome young man my way. And now we are on our way to start deputation to be missionaries in Siberia, Russia. ( Such a humbling thing, that the Lord would use me in such a way.) God is so good to us.
I can look back at that time before college, where I made the decision to do what God wanted, when He wanted, the way He wanted and see how the Lord blessed. Time after time as I trust Him, sometimes not knowing what is next, the Lord always has taken care of me and blessed me beyond what I can imagine.
Now I look forward to the next step of faith, because I have the confidence that the Lord will take care of me. His will for my life is much more exciting than anything I could have tried to do on my own. And now when things come my way that are unexpected instead of worry, I trust Him (sometimes I worry then I trust :) ) . I am excited that God would care so much for me. And I know He wants that for all of His children.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Isaiah 55:8
If you are having trouble trusting God with something whether small or big, trust Him. His ways are perfect. God only wants what is best for us. Hold his hand through it all and He promises to take care of you.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3,4
Great post! :) So excited to read about the first time you started stepping out by faith and seeing God bless! I remember that time in my life too! It is still a blessing to remember those times and anxiously await the next step of faith in our lives that God will ask of us. The blessings just get better and better! Love you!
ReplyDelete