If asked why I live in Michigan,
my usual reply is that I was born here and don’t know any better. I’m not a big fan of winter but if given the
option, I don’t know if I’d choose to live anywhere else - although Maui is
tempting…
I enjoy the different seasons
Michigan offers, which in a way is surprising since I’m not a big fan of change
in general. I don’t think there would be much new in my life it were up to me,
which is probably why God doesn’t leave it up to me.
“There
is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time
to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
I find planting to be
invigorating and exciting whereas uprooting generally disturbs me. Without
fail, if God is introducing new things into my life some of the existing things
will be removed. At least, that’s what
happens if I’m paying attention. If I’m
not, I keep adding without subtracting which equals overload.
Early this summer, God gave me
the go-ahead to pursue something He placed on my heart many years ago, complete
with step-by-step instructions! He also
called me to step down from my position as the Director of Women’s Ministries at
the church I attend. This wasn’t too
hard for me to let go of since I will remain on the board overseeing spiritual
growth and teaching.
With one set of responsibilities
coming into my life and another set leaving I thought I was finished with transitions,
but that wasn’t the case. While on a
mission trip in Alaska late this summer I felt God calling me to make more
adjustments, which was puzzling to me since I thought I had made an even
exchange.
This time I struggled because it
involved Journey, the women’s Bible study where I am co-teaching leader. I tried holding on to this piece and then
that, but I finally realized that God was calling me to step back from it all,
at least for a season. . .
This was not an easy step for
me. A great amount of my time and energy
has been invested in Journey, and I have been there since its inception. It didn’t make sense to me
either. I love teaching. This is how God has gifted me and this is
what He has called me to do. I was all prepared
and eager to start Journey’s fall session.
“Forget
the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a
new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and
streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Even though I wasn’t sure why -
except that God said so - I stepped down from Journey the day after I returned
home from Alaska so I could give those taking over for me as much notice as
possible.
I’m so thankful that I chose to
be obedient. Within days of returning
home, my husband and I received word that OpeN Christian Center, Inc, the school in Kenya
we have been involved with since its inception, was granted tax-exempt
status. Now the work of assembling dossiers
on each of the orphans and finding sponsors for them begins.
Just days after receiving that
news, my daughter was hired to a full-time teaching position. Since my son-in-law goes to school two days a
week, I have the privilege of caring for my three-month-old grandson on those
days.
Sometimes I never learn why God
called me to do what He did, but this time the pieces all fell into place. And one of those days I’m spending with my
grandson Adam? Journey day. In fact, Adam
is sitting on my lap as I finish this.
Father,
thank you for teaching me to hear your still, small voice. Help me to be obedient regardless of whether or
not I understand your purposes. Guide me
as I minister to this child here with me and those children half-way around the
world, all equally precious in your sight.
Lisa
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:)