Today I have a devotion running at P31. The funny thing about this devotion is I wrote it before Curt lost his job!! And so, as I re-read it last week in preparation for it to go out today, I was struck by how applicable this devotion was for me personally. We definitely feel like we've gone backwards in the last few months. We wonder why his unemployment has gone on so long. We ask God what His plans are. Then we ask again. And then we quietly trust, reasserting that His plans are right and perfect and remembering that none of this has taken Him by surprise.
We definitely understand the feeling of being in tents again. And yet, we also know that it is there, in those tents, that God works on our hearts, restating Truths we have forgotten and refining our character and our faith as we draw closer to Him.
If you are in tents again in your life, know you are not alone. There are others-- like us-- who are struggling with the feeling of going backwards. But there is also One who has never left you. He goes forward with you and He also goes backwards. Wherever you are, there He is. May we all remember that today.
18 comments:
Having been in that tent throughout all of my motherhood, God provides just what we need. I have witnessed time and time again, His miraculous provision for my family. No small task since I was a stay at home single mother with three little ones!!!
He comforts us, so we may comfort others!!!
Karen
Hi marybeth..
Indeed God do takes us backward sometimes....
Only because He has got something really beautiful in store for us.
Walking with God step by step indeed is the best thing we can do
Sweet blessings
Sheena
Praying for you and your family daily, Marybeth, as you face this difficult time with hope and faith.
Michelle
I'm in the tent.....trusting God for wisdom, understanding and direction. Not easy feeling content these days, but I'm working on it!
Thanks for the timely word.....again!
Blessings to you and your family.
Marybeth, I am definitely living in a tent right now, but am grateful for shelter and the knowledge that I am experiencing a lesson and am humbled by His Greatness. I have felt lost at times, but truly do know there is a reason for my 'suffering' and I shall grow from this difficult time in my life....Teresa (thank you)
I was very excited to read there was another opportunity to win a scholarship to She Speaks! I don't believe at all the work(preparation) God has done in my life over the past year has been for nothing. I was randomly (yea right!) asked to speak at 3 different ladies' events last August, September, and October by totally different women and totally different churches (all different denominations). Oh, and just to tell ya, I've never spoken in front of a group before this! My pastor's wife and my sister attended all 3 events to support me. God was so in control of the words I spoke! At the first event, I shared things from my heart that had been hidden for years! but God didn't want me to speak that particular information at the other 2 events. I'm confident that the Lord ordered all of this to bring me to a place where I could find healing and restoration! My pastor's wife lead me through a Bible Study after she heard my story that released me from bondage of my dark past!! I have not only been delivered from my past but I've been set free! I don't believe God intended for me to keep this to myself! It's just too extraordinary the way He ordered all the events to bring me to this FREEDOM!
I'd be honored to attend the Conference so I can continue to watch God's mighty hand at work in my life! May God's will be done....not mine.
Edie Blackmon
luv2singgospel@yahoo.com
Thanks for this encouraging word. No matter where we are, our hearts can be in the Lord's temple, beholding His beauty. Even on the bad days, He's still good.
such beautiful encouragement ... thank for your sharing
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, I have been reading Proverbs 31 for just over a yr. and have truly learned so much, from each of you ladies. i can't wait each day to open my computer. I feel I have been in that tent and God is working on my heart. I am going to Haiti with my church soon so please be in prayer for us. Thank you Tara
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement today. It's just what I needed.
I am dwelling in a tent as well...working my way out though and I truly do feel God changing and rearranging things in my life.
He has been there in the tent and I know will walk with me as I move out in His world.
This is timely, and hard. I feel like I have been living in a tent for the past 2 years. Trying to move ahead, move forward and feeling under God's thumb the entire time as if to say, "no, not now. later." sigh. It's hard. Sometimes I feel like it's me, i'm not trying hard enough, smart enough. Other times, I get mad at God - WHY????? I have joked to my friends that when they see me on my afternoon walks and it looks like I'm talking to myself, that no, it's just me, having a VERY direct conversation (sometimes angry) with God. I may post on my blog linking back to this. Great post.
Marybeth, I am actually on my way to your post about the scholarship, but I had to leave you and your husband an encouraging note first. Something amazing happened to the husband of a friend of mine as they waited for God's provision. He had been unemployed for a year. Three days before his unemployment ran out, he was hired for a job right straight out of heaven. This is his dream job! He almost took another job about a month earlier because he knew his unemployment was almost up, but neither he nor his wife had a peace about it. They decided to trust the Lord. The entire time God was putting all the pieces in place for him. Needless to say, their faith has increased by leaps! God's timing is perfect, His provision is perfect and His faithfulness is amazing.
Bless you!
Nan Jones
My God has great plans for me and my family, it has been a desert walk for about 10 years but He has been so faithful taking me step by step in the direction He desires for my life. It was just impressed upon my heart in the last weeks about public speaking and been confirmed by God through someone else. I truly desire to share more of Him and less of me. Thank you for this awesome opportunity.
Barbara Martin
In the tent,
on my knees--for both our families.
When I first became aware of Proverbs 31 ministries and the She Speaks conference a few months ago, I figured that given our financial situation, attending was a long shot. At this point, it would take a miracle, but that's alright - the fact that I've been speaking for the past four years is a miracle, too! When I give my testimony for Christian Women's groups, I title it "Leaving the Safety and Security of Your Shell." It seems appropriate to stick my head out and see if God might open the door for me to attend. This would be my first opportunity to meet, network and learn from other speakers and I know that becoming part of this community would move me forward into His purposes!
Thanks for your comments today. It's God teaching us to be patient. I pray that He will neither leave you nor forsake you in this time of waiting. I pray for that perfect job to arrive at your doorstep. God is willing!
He is teaching me daily, new things always, as I was widowed 10 wks ago. He teaches me to wait and trust. And do the next thing.
blessings, Patricia
that is where my husband and I are at. not knowing what is ahead. but finding only the truth when I spend time with my heavenly father, WHO knows why we are here. Nothing is a surprise to him. Thanks for your words.
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