My Journey Toward A Trusting Heart

Its a new day...

1 Peter 5: 6-11 NIV

  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.   And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.    To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

A friend of Mark's recently read this passage in his devotions, and told Mark he immediately applied this verse to us, and began to pray for us in this way. In many ways, it is a confirmation of some things the Lord Himself had spoken to US in recent days, affirming (once again) that we are on the right track in our faith walk.

First, Mark and I agreed that we would put aside any 'distractions' (i.e., 'the prowling, roaring lion who would devour us)...those distractions are anything and ANYONE who would drag our hearts away from our focus on being in God's perfect will...dragging our hearts away toward doubt and worry...anyone who would just want to 'talk' all this out, rather than remaining prayerful and encouraging. Don't get me wrong, talking is GOOD, but its not enough. We don't need therapy right now -- we need increasing faith. We need wisdom regarding which doors to knock on, and which ones to avoid. We choose to surround ourselves with friends and environments that encourage and motivate....rather than depress.

And believe me, there are some people in my world who do just that. I have not put away those friendships entirely, but for this stage in my life, I don't need the 'distraction'. Mark has done the same.

We don't know any more this week than we knew last, but we are still full of faith and hope that there are great things ahead.

We've observed some that seem shocked that we seem so calm! I have a hard time understanding all that. Its almost as if they wish we WERE worried! One friend seems to have this pitying tone when we talk....and honestly, there is nothing pitiful about any of this. We are healthy, secure, and hopeful. And we have plenty of food in the pantry and fridge. We don't anticipate losing any weight because of all this (that's unfortunate, I know....to be forced to eat less!)

Anyway, we are hopeful. We will not be without work for forever. The Lord will provide.  The Word says, "I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging for bread." I don't expect we'll need to beg for anythng. God's hand is open and generous, and He will provide all we need.

If you are full of faith and encouragment, I welcome your 'apples of gold' into our life. We are hiding many things in our hearts, and fully expect to have a great testimony of God's goodness very shortly.

Continue to pray for my patience w/ school w/ Colton. Today seems to be an especially challenging day for him....many distractions, but I'm working hard at keeping an even temper, giving him all the time he wants to take (aka, 'waste') goofing off, but determined to accomplish what's on my schedule for today. We need the gift of ORDER and ORGANIZATION so we can stay focused.

Praying He will enlarge our territory!

Kim and Crew