Speaking of beautiful things . . . my brother got engaged a couple weeks ago!!! It was super cute to see him heading out the door to go "ring shopping". ;) Three weeks ago, he set up a whole plan of how he wanted to ask her (Joy). Joy, who was over at a good friend's house watching movies and making dinner, had no idea what was going on! Soo...Josiah hopped in his car and drove to the mutual friend's house, surprised Joy, said some sappy stuff, and they had dinner together. Okay, so that was the super super short version, but you get the picture!! lol :) Oh yeah!! She said Yes. =D
Let's see...what else has happened since I last posted...oh! I got my driver's license last month! Perfect timing too, because my mom unexpectedly needed to go to New York for 3 weeks, so I got to chauffeur Jerusha and I all around town to different events/lessons/orchestra/etc... :)
And last, but most assuredly NOT least, I wanted to share with you some things the Lord has been teaching me in the last few weeks.
My little brain only has the teeniest, tiniest little glimpse of the big picture. In reality, I have no clue of the scope of God's plans and intricate details! I'm just a little dot...a speck of nothingness in the grandeur of the whole universe. . . yet, God cares for me! He cares about what I'm worried about, what I don't understand, my sicknesses, my hopes, my disappointments, my dreams, my excitements, my joys, everything! And guess what, he understands everything about me! Why? Because He made me and He loves me dearly. <3 Recently in my Bible reading, I've been challenged to reset my thinking. I notice myself constantly stressing out about what's going to happen "down the road"....am I supposed to go to college? I'd like to go on a mission's trip, but where? and when? or should I? My heart is in ministry, but the doors don't seem to be opening (or doing much of anything) at present...aghhh!!! What should I do!? It's then that I read verses like
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."That's just one example of the dozens of verses with which God comforts His people! Here's another another verse that really stood out to me in my personal devotions:
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalm 51:17Even when we're confused, especially when we're confused, the Lord wants us to bring everything to Him! Our problems, our uncertainties, our anger, our brokenness, our contrite hearts. . . He desires that we lay everything at His feet.
"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7How wonderful to think that the God of the universe loves and cares about every little detail of our lives!! We're not bogging Him down or depressing Him if we tell Him all our troubles...in fact, He tells us in the Bible to do that very thing!
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalm 62:8Trust in the Lord! Tell Him all your troubles and know that He hears you and will help you! <3
I serve a great and glorious God!
Joanna, I think its wonderful that you're being sensitive enough to the spirit to listen to what God is pointing out to you. :) Thank you for sharing what you're learning. I too have been in that boat of impatience and indecision, floating around without any real direction and wondering what in the world I'm supposed to do next with my life. It can get very frustrating very quickly if you let it. And yes, that seems to be when the Lord always tells me to be still and listen. Get my priorities straight and realize that all He wants is for me to focus on Him in the here and now.
ReplyDelete"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Matt 6:34
And the things that you've been worrying over, like going on a missions trip or college, you may not hear a yes or no, or see a sign pointing "THIS WAY" in flashing neon colors. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do something or go somewhere, He may just be telling you not yet. So don't give up, keep searching and listening for when the right time is.
I think you have a wonderful heart for ministry, but ministry isn't always what you think it is. Joanna, you do a ton for your family just by cooking and baking and spoiling, you reach out to others with the music you play in orchestra, you help Jessica teach Sunday School sometimes, and you're a wonderful listener and encourager to your sisters and friends. You are ministering right where you are, and doing a wonderful job. :)
So keep right on plugging along where God has you. It may not be the most glamorous or exciting, and a lot of times feels mundane, but it seems like the times when you don't feel like you're doing anything is often when you're making the most impact in people's lives. :) Keep seeking and growing in Christ.
Your almost sis, :D