Friday, May 16, 2008

One of the "All things"

Hi Sweet Friends!

Well...I could begin by listing all the reasons I haven't been writing over the past couple of weeks...and they would be valid reasons...but I have so much I want to share that I won't take the time....just know, it's good to be back!

Also...I usually carefully try and plan out what I'll share on my blog posts, but today, you're just going to get what comes off the top of my head...scary I know, but much quicker!

I hardly know where to begin! I've been working more full-time over the past couple of weeks as employees have been on holidays. I LOVE MY JOB!!! It really is the greatest. The Lord gifted it to me back in September. I received a phone call one day...completely out of the blue :o), asking if I would like to work a the Christian Bookstore in my city. This was my dream job!!! I had always wanted to work at a Christian bookstore. I had been a stay-at-home Mom for 15 years and I had told the Lord that when He felt I was ready to re-enter the workforce, then He would have to open the door, as I was quite content to be at home and continue with the volunteer work I was doing weekly. When this phone call came asking me if I would like this position, without having submitted any resume or application, it was confirmation to me that God truly does give us the desires of our hearts. It has been the BEST!!! But, just yesterday I was reminded that the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.

About 24 hours ago now, I received some disappointing news. The store where I work will be closing by mid-August and my job will be over. I came home and cried last night. Cried for 2 reasons - one, overcome by the gift and treasure this job has been...that God would have given me the joy of a dream fulfilled, albeit for a short time. I also cried for the loss of something wonderful.

The Lord had prepared me for this news in the morning, reminding me in my devotional time that NOTHING can touch our lives without coming through God's Hand. Psalm 125 reminds me that God is like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. He cannot be shaken by the changes in our circumstances. He is not surprised at this announcement. He endures, unmoveable forever. I can rest in a God who not only provides security, but completely surrounds me with His presence. I love what Beth Moore writes, "Nothing can close in on you without closing in on Him first. God alone can be both the watchman and the wall." "Like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem, God is ever surrounding us. He sees and sifts every life experience that could touch His child. Nothing can break His grip."

As I went to bed last night I prayed that the Lord would continue to speak to my heart, and continue He did.

This morning the Lord has reminded me that He is Alpha and Omega. A closed door isn't the end, it's a hand-engraved invitaion to a new beginning.

So right now, again I find myself between the now and the not yet. Again I am living between the times. As James Limburg writes, "between a good time remembered and another good time hoped for".

"You and I will never move to the next level with God if we're scared half to death of what awaits us. On this mysterious pilgrimage we will find that when we do meet difficulties and sorrows, they were not meant to stop us but to form the character required for our great harvest in the coming season. Step into your future, Precious One. Something wonderful awaits you." Beth Moore

I am in awe of my God. He knows every detail of every life. He knows what I'm facing today. He knows what I will face tomorrow. He will not forget me, He has engraved me on the palm of His hand. I can trust him with ALL that lies ahead. His Word is true. He promises that "all things" work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28)

This is one of my "all things". What "all thing" is God working together for good in your life right now? You can claim His promise with me if you love Him and are called by Him. Remember, God IS good!

16 comments:

Leah Adams said...

What a beautiful post!! I pray the Lord will send you something extra special in which to serve Him. Thank you SOOO much for the wonderful chorus/verse you left on my blog. I love it and I've never heard it. The words just spoke to my heart so tenderly.

Have a great weekend!!

Leah

Paula V said...

Thank you so much for sharing this. Indeed, God is in all things. He was in control of you getting that job and will be in control of what lies next. I believe with all my heart there was/is a reason for you getting that job even for a short time. When God closes a door, He opens a window. Your window is open and He will show you the way. I can only imagine that God provided this job to "prepare" for what He will do with you next in life and also in "work".

Sometimes it is hard to think that nothing comes into our lives without it passing God's Hands. I say this because when things so unimagineable happen, we fall into the temptation of "why didn't You prevent this." Why did He allow divorce to pass through His Hands. I don't know the FULL reason but I can attest to the marvelous changes in me and my walk with God. I can only hope when He has pruned me and my loved one and transformed us closer to His image, that He would then perform His miracle of reconciliation for His glory and for a life ministry resulting from this trial.

"...not meant to stop us but from the character required for the harvest in the coming season." I love that!!

Blessings,
Paula

Tracy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tracy said...

Joy, I loved this post. How graciously the Lord prepared you for the disappointment through your time with Him that morning. There is truly amazing comfort in the thought...NOTHING happens to us that hasn't first passed through God's permissive will. And when we're hurt or disappointed, it's such a comfort to know that NO ONE shares more in our pain than He who loves us most.

I'm anxious to see what God has in store for you...I suspect it's something special. This last job was no doubt part of your preparation. Please keep us posted.

I seriously think I need to print off that quote from Beth Moore...wow is that true.

Wow, and thank you for your sweet comments and that great story you shared...an incredible God moment, indeed! = )

Blessings,
Tracy

Michelle said...

Well put. God is also working good through my losing my job, due to the office where I work closingin July. I do not know what He has planned for me or for you, but He will make a way. "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) Blessings!

Yolanda said...

Your eye is on the GIVER!

Love,
Yolanda

pam said...

Great thoughts. AMEN to ALL THINGS PASSING THROUGH HIS HANDS FIRST!!!!! I always think that the end of the story has not yet been written, no matter what the circumstances are---God sees what is coming and He hasn't changed. I try and remind myself that when I need to know He will tell me, until then I guess I don't really need to know.

The Girls said...

I love these thoughts Joy. You are truly living out your faith!!! Thanks for opening up your life and blessing others through your lessons and experiences! I hope you enjoyed your weekend at the trailer. I can't wait to see pictures....

Love,
Kelley

Catherine said...

Joy, I am so sorry to hear your news as I know how much you enjoy your job there. Your outlook is beautiful and it's exciting to see what He has planned for you but for now the news is hard to hear.

Praying for you friend as you prepare for this adjustment and look upward for what He has for you next.

Love and hugs.

Kristen said...

He has prepared you through your job for something far greater than you ever imagined! And how this speaks of your faith, even in your disappointment knowing that a new invitation is coming... How He has blessed you already!

I am so glad you visited my blog via Elaine's Blog... I look forward to visiting here often!
K

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Joy:
Glad you're back home again! Hope your weekend was splendid. I see you're working through the Psalms of Ascent. I loved this study! Enjoy every word. Do you have the videos to go along?

~elaine

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Joy...this is a wonderful and thought-provoking post. I have had to read it more than once. It's so true for me because, as you know, I have so many fears and worries that it is hard to trust what God has in store for me. But I do know HE is bigger than anything I can imagine and He's big enough to take care of me.

Thanks! And may God bless you!
Marilyn in MS

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for sharing this! We musn't forget that all things to pass through His hands before they ever reach us. Thanks for that reminder!

Prayers and Blessings!
Rebecca

Lelia Chealey said...

That is so incredible Joy!! I love how even knowing that your job coming to an end passed through God first that you still allowed yourself to cry & be sad. Just another opportunity for you to lean on the God's shoulders.
Keep stepping out in faith & allowing Him to work through you...like with She Speaks. Can't wait to hug you this summer! :)
Love you,
Lelia

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Hello, I came to see your blog via. Lysa T.'s site. This is an amazingly inspiring story of how God has truly changed your heart through the years to fully lean on Him and truly trust Him! Thank you for writing this. I have been blessed by it.

Jerralea said...

Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. I love the thought that everything that touches me passes through Him first. Thanks, too, for sharing those Beth Moore quotes. She is so awesome!

This is my first visit to your blog, but I will be bookmarking it and coming back. I also enjoyed reading about your son's music teacher. Sounds like you and your son will both be experiencing changes at the same time. You can encourage one another.