A Life is A Life

“People say to me all the time, “Wow, you’re so lucky that you found what God wants you to do with your life.” I look at those people and think I didn’t find it, it was just in the Bible.  As someone who calls themselves a Christian it is very apparent that you are to love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” Katie Davis

I often imagine myself in a third world country working at an orphanage. I picture Josiah running in the sand, playing kickball with the older boys, Victoria sitting in the sun braiding the little girl’s hair, Alayna rocking precious babies under a tree, and Kayla playing dolls with the youngest ones on the porch.  My heartstrings are pulled for the hurting and lost. There are many days I wish I could just pack up our family and move to Africa!

This to me is the greatest ministry possible. Serving some of the poorest people on earth and sharing God’s love with them.

Processed with VSCO with b1 presetAs I ponder on these thoughts God quickly spoke to my heart, “I care for the students in Fusion (a middle school ministry at our church) as much as I care for those kids in Africa.”  Wow! You’re right God (of course he’s right…lol). My mind has always glorified missionaries that make the track overseas. When to God a life is a life. He doesn’t place a higher value on the person that lives in Zimbabwe or Liberia. Each life is equally as important.  Our kids in America may have food and clothes, but they are mentally and emotionally hurting more than ever. If everyone felt called to be missionaries to third world countries, who would be left to help the next generation from turning away from God?

Let me encourage you today. To the ones who rather be working in Peru, China, or even South Africa as a missionary, your mission field is right where you are. God has placed people all around you that you have the power to influence, the words to encourage, and the abilities to show God’s love. Pray and seek his guidance, but in the end, he may just say, stay put, your boss, your classmate, your client, needs ME and they will only see ME through you.

Faith to Move

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Faith is put into practice when you step away from the familiar. 

For almost twenty years we’ve been comfortable in our church. It’s where my husband was saved, where I rededicated my life, it’s also where I met and married my husband, then our kids were dedicated and baptized there too.  We didn’t just attend church, we were the church, we were leaders and volunteers!

Then an opportunity came, a promotion to be exact! It wasn’t a surprise to us, I had been praying about moving for a couple years now. I knew it was coming and I wasn’t happy about it. I’m a family person, I love being around family, and making memories with them! One early morning, on my way home from the gym, I was praying. I spoke the words, “I pray Javi walks in your will….”, and as soon as the words left my tongue peace came over me. I heard God say, “You’ve been praying this over and over, I’ve heard your prayers, do you not think He’s in my will? He’s in my will because you have prayed for it.” At that moment my heart was ready to go wherever God opened the door.

Five or six months later my husband was promoted and we were moving to Georgia! Now we had to have faith for God to sell our house, help us to find a new house in a good location, and a new church!

Again, I faced a time of doubt. I was flat out miserable because I was doubting God. It was like I was in a depression state, a needy loaf, constantly asking my husband for reassurance. Day after day I continued to worry about our house not selling. Then one Sunday morning on the way to church, I heard God speak to my heart. “When you are ready to stop all of this, I’m here,” so out loud I said, “Enough! I’m done worrying and fretting, this is in God’s hands and I’m done trying to be God!” Again, within seconds I felt peace and a calmness that can only come from Him.

I would love to tell you that our house has sold, but it hasn’t! Now ask me how are you doing? Well, I’m doing fabulous, thanks for asking! Yes, I can confidently say I’m doing great because I don’t just know who is in charge, but I believe it!

We have visited four churches, in all different areas of Georgia, since moving up here last month. If our house would have sold a month ago we would be at one of those churches. I believe it wasn’t meant for us to attend there, not because it’s a bad church, but it wasn’t the church for us. I choose to look at our house not selling as God’s hands moving in our favor. When He closes one door, He will open another. We are on an amazing adventure and our faith is growing as we lean fully on His direction and wisdom.

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6