Faith

Seasons change as people change. For the first time since 1997, I will not have a “job” come next Friday. Several people have asked me if I am scared? It may be weird, but I am actually more relieved. This is a hard semester at school as I am finishing up my degree. I choose to look at it that this was all in God’s timing. He new my plate and wanted to clear part of the plate so I could concentrate on my studies. I will admit, I have had a really good four years at BabyCenter. The company has definitely helped shaped me into the person I am today. My boss has been an incredible one who gives constructive criticism. The constructive criticism has helped me both personally and professionally. The next steps from here will be exciting.

With the job gone, a big portion of our income leaves as well. My husband said it perfect when he said it was time to get back to the basics. We are in the process of downsizing to a much smaller house. The smaller house will equate to over $400 a month in savings. The satellite will be turned off which will save us over $80 a month. Our home phone has been turned off and we only use our cell phones. No more weekly out to eat visits. Am I anxious about all these changes? The answer would be NO! I am looking forward to being minimalists and growing in our faith with the Lord. All the extras are not needed to have a good life. We have really cut back the last two months as we knew the changes were coming. During the next few months, I am focusing on finishing school and blogging here and at my local blog. Writing is a great passion of mine. Due to school, work and other activities, I have not been able to write like I want to on the blogs. This will change after next Friday. We are looking forward to possibly traveling to even more locations throughout the US and just living on a lean income. It will be exciting to see how the next few months unravel. I hope you will come along for the journey.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ~ James 5:16b, NLT

This verse is so powerful. We can never forget the power of prayer. Prayer has brought me thus far in life and will continue to take me into the future. Prayer, faith and determination are three words that my family is choosing to hold on to as we go through this big change. Life will be different but a good different.

For now, I will enjoy my view more.

A couple of weeks ago, my pastor did a sermon on surviving the storm. He actually named the sermon: Peace! Be Still. His sermon was centered around this passage.

Mark 4:35-41

New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Calms the Storm

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

I have a hard time letting go of my worries. You see, I am in the midst of a storm. There have been some clues on recent posts, but I have not really come out and told all the logistics. Unfortunately, my contract is ending with my employer. The past four years have been an amazing journey. One I would never want to change or do without. My job has been a true happiness in my life and brought us through so much turmoil in our lives when my husband was laid off from his job.

The verse: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” really struck a chord with me. The tears were flowing once again because it was like God knew I needed our Pastor to say those specific words right to me. My heart needed to open wide and receive those words. My personality seems to be a worry wart by nature. I am learning more and more though, worrying will get us no where. Self-pity will just leave us spinning in our tracks. We have to weather the storm. I feel God will allow storms in our lives to activate our personal faith. When the going gets tough, don’t most people turn back to God? We shouldn’t let our relationship with God get dry and only come to him in tough times. I will admit, I am guilty of this and working hard to overcome that negative aspect.

God is good and there is a reason for everything. I will weather this storm and become a better person because of surviving it. I just want to have more patience. God does not work on my timing. He works on his timing. The planner in me really struggles as I want to know how I will put food on the table. It is possible that I am going to go back into the freelance world. Being from a mountain town, there are not a lot of jobs to choose from here unfortunately. I love working in media and helping companies so it may be the direction God is leading me back into. I know one thing, I will not rush things and just let him guide me. Patience, no worrying and having faith are three things that will get me through this storm.

God’s amazing beauty surrounded us tonight after we ate dinner. My husband walked out on the porch and called for me to come and join him. As I walked out onto the porch, I was greeted by this gorgeous sunset. The colors were so vibrant. Today had been a particular busy and somewhat stressful day. I have mid-terms coming up for this semester, putting the finishing touches on the fall festival with a silent auction, and of course my job that brings home the bacon. The sunset was the sign from God that I needed to calm the stresses and the worries.

I opened up my e-mail tonight after finally getting the girls in bed and this verse was in my daily devotion email.

Philippians 4:6-7. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Once again, another sign from God. Isn’t he great to put his love in front of us at the moments that we need them? We have a lot of uncertainty going on in our family and I tend to let it consume my thoughts on a daily basis. The sunset and the bible verse are signs that I grasp onto as my ray of hope that everything will be fine. As I was ready to start crying tonight, my sweet friend Nan, started typing to me on Google Chat. She didn’t have all the answers but she said this:

“Just keep saying your prayers and relying on God. He will answer your prayers, you know He will.”

Those two simple sentences meant so much to me. I got a hold of my self and immediately said a prayer. I do not want to be worry wart, a stressful mom yelling at her two beautiful daughters, or snapping at my husband. I do just need to rely on God and let him take control. He has our plan for us, we just need to be patient and willing to accept his plan.

Do you ever grasp onto signs after a stressful day? Also, I am not the only mom that yells when she is stressed right?

The title of this blog post came to me this morning in service as I was standing at the altar with tears streaming down my face. The pastor had one hand on me and one hand on my husband. Afterwards, I turned to my husband and we just hugged for the longest time. It was one of the best moments in our marriage.

Today’s message spoke to me so much. Right before the end of service, I just started crying so hard. I had this huge block it seemed sitting on my chest. As soon as I went to the altar, the block was removed and I was at peace and filled with comfort. I know the Good Lord is going to take care of us as a family but I want to do my part as well. I want to know that I am giving back to him like I should be. I want everyone around me to know that I am on fire for Jesus.

As soon as this post goes out to my subscribers list, I may lose subscribers. I am at peace with the number dropping as I do want to incorporate faith more in my posts here at One Moms World. Faith is a huge part of my family and I want to be able to portray that here on the blog. Faith, Family and Travel are three key words to my blog but it doesn’t seem our faith is covered enough. This really hit me today during service. My words are ready to shout to the world.

So much has changed in the last five years with my family. Each and everyday, I see us grow closer to God. We are not where we should be, but I love the results that I am seeing. It is not unusual for our family to be singing as loudly as we can in the car to K-LOVE. The girls know the words better than I do actually but that doesn’t stop me from singing as loudly as I can. My soul is warmed from head to toe when I am singing praise songs.

This is one of our favorite songs right now and it is so fitting right now in our lives.

I am not too sure what direction God is moving me in but I am waiting with open arms for his guidance.