By the Seashore

It's been a while since I've written about R's job situation. Honestly, sometimes I've worn myself out just thinking worrying about it. These last few months have been full of tears, hopes, questions, and doubts. It's been an emotional roller coaster. (Funny, I've always thought that saying is an overused cliche, but it just fits.)

I know we've been given a gift...many of them. Some days, I see them. Some days, I cling to them by faith; although I cannot see the gifts, I see the Giver. I am learning first-hand what Paul meant when he wrote ...The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:5-7, ESV)

I know the Lord is at hand. I'm seeing Him in ways I've never experienced before. Could it be that I'm looking more closely out of sheer necessity?

I'm learning to not be anxious. I keep bringing the requests...the significant and seemingly insignificant alike...to Him. I've got to give Him everything, because I don't have the mental fortitude to decide if some things are worthy to take to Him or not. I'm believing that He cares about all of it.

The end result? I'm finding that peace Paul tells us about. It defies logic. I doubt I can explain it. I just know that we're living in an incredibly sweet place right now....taking God as His word and watching Him work. We're starting to see the waters ripple. It's not always easy, standing here in front of the sea and waiting for Him to part it...but it's much easier than treading water.  Our baby steps are inching us closer to the promised land.

Most recently, the Lord practically dropped a college degree program in our laps. It's something R is interested in, and will be excellent at doing. We had made plans to pursue this goal, but God changed our route. The destination is the same, but the path is better. He's meeting with an admissions counselor & program coordinator on Monday.

We had also made plans to help us financially. Plans that, again, God changed. This new route will require us to stand on His promises, and will bring HIM (not us) the glory. And isn't that what our lives should be about?   

God gets glory when two very different  and very imperfect people forge a life of faithfulness in the furnace of affliction by relying on Christ. (John Piper, This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence, p. 48).