So, (have you noticed I always start my posts with the word "so" - kinda makes it seem like I am talking to you in person)..........I wanted to share a little story with you about how God has worked in my life recently (I know He is always working, but this is a concrete example). I am in bit of a hurry, so please do not examine my grammar or spelling too closely.
Many of you know that Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell were at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia (where my dad works) this past weekend. Some of the LPM "Blogging Siestas" had planned a "little" get together (with each other AND Beth Moore!). I was invited by one of my favorite blog friends (Stephanie -Notes from the Soul- check out my sidebar - no time for linking) who lives near Woodstock to come and stay at her house for the weekend (yes, I know that my dad and sister live in Woodstock, but I really wanted to hang out with these girls for the weekend). Not only was I invited to stay with her, but she invited some other bloggers to stay who I really wanted to meet in person.
Anyhoo........I prayed about it for a month or so and I never really had peace about going. I just never got the go ahead from God. The hubs said go and my mom offered to watch the boys,but I never felt "right" about going. I SO wanted to go, but I knew it was not meant to be. I didn't understand why. I kept thinking, "Lord, why does everyone else get to go and I don't?". I mean these are my friends whom I have never actually gotten to see in person and Beth Moore for cryin' out loud! I kind of felt like I was missing the prom or something.
Sometimes God makes us wait for years to understand something and other times He reveals His plan immediately......this was one of the more immediate times. The hubs' grandmother died on Monday of last week. I knew that her death could not be the reason God didn't release me to go to Georgia for the weekend, after all, she died on Monday, the funeral was on Wednesday and I wouldn't be leaving until Friday or Saturday. What I didn't know and what God DID know is that because of the recent cold weather and snow, we wouldn't be able to have her burial until Saturday afternoon. He knew back in December when Fran and Stephanie asked me to come to Georgia, that the hubs' grandmother would die on Monday and not be buried until Saturday. God knew I would need to be there for my husband, our boys and for his family.
God knew what I needed long before I understood what He was doing.
Proverbs 16:1 says, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh"..........in other words, we have all sorts of plans that we want to carry out, but without God's wisdom, they are useless because He knows the future. I had a plan in my heart to go to Georgia to hang out with my girls, but God had the wisdom to know that wasn't the best thing for me to do at that particular time. I love it when answers come quickly like they did this time, but it is important to remember that even when the answers don't come for years, God is still working and He still knows what we need when we don't understand what He is up to.
20 comments:
Beth, I am in the same boat -wanting to go meet the Siestas but not having the ability to go. The Lord's reason is not been made clear in my case but I am confident it is ok. Love how you said you felt like you were missing the prom - exactly my feelings! I didn't go to HS prom and I really didn't care. But this, oh I cared! =( Glad to know yet another Siesta is in the same boat! blessings, rachel
We said that exact same thing Friday night and then again on Saturday. God knew! As much as we wanted you there...you were right where God needed you to be...if had come here...well..that would have been disobedient and none of us want to be your partner in that!!!!! We prayed for you and love you and MISSED YOU TERRIBLY!!! And YES, a siesta named Cheryl told me "Look! That's Bethanne's father's office" I had that camera out so fast...:) I knew you would get a total kick out of it...We are a bunch of nuts!
hugs
steph.
Now that I've heard your side of the story, let me tell you my side of the story. Since you were coming to Woodstock and planning on staying with someone else and not your Dad, well I think God just said, Oh no, no, no little girl, you need to stay with your dad and that's why He didn't let you come. ha ha. Now what-ya thinking. Now let me say what I really think. I'm so proud of you and to know that you love our Lord so much that you want to be obedient to Him gives me much pleasure and assurance that you are His. Always know that obedience is what God demands from us all even when we want to do our own thing. Your a blessing and you are blessed. Love you big time. Dad
By the way, I meant to tell you, that it lasted till 9:PM and if you want to see it, it will be on our web site probably tomorrow(tues)
God's timing and His ways are so perfect.
Thank you Eddie....YES I want to see it!!!
That was a precious story, Bethanne. I too prayed about going and I too got the answer "NO", but mine was a direct "no" from my husband. Instead of going to FBCW, I had to go to the TN Cattlemen Convention with my husband. Yep, loads of fun.
On a serious note, I am so glad that you were obdient and were blessed by it!
Thanks for sharing this. Although I know in my head that the way God leads is is for the best, I love hearing these stories with concrete examples. I just found out my boss is leaving and I hate to see him go. He is a Christian and has been praying about this, but in my selfish way, I want God to have him stay. I needed to read this today!
Wow! I have to confess that I am not sure that I would have heard God's "NO" with all the squealing and dancing I would have been doing because of the chance to go and have such a great time. Oh... I long to DO what God wants me to do. But... I don't think I would have done what is right in this situation. Just being honest.
What an awesome testimony to God's faithfulness!! I need to go clean out my ears......
Thanks so much for this... I have alot to think about...
Lynn
What an incredible story of how God always knows what is best for us. He sees the big picture that sometimes we do not. Thanks for sharing!
Don't you just love God's plan and how it is always best, even when it doesn't seem that way at the time?!?! I have learned that lesson time and time again! He is so good to us!!
We so missed you but God's timing is always perfect!
Maybe next time!
That's so cool! Go God!
I wish I could go hang out with Beth Moore. That would be so amazing.
Man... doesn't His sovereignty just blow you away?? Bless you for listening, and heeding the still small voice. That's a gift, Bethanne. :)
That is such a cool story. He truly is amazing! I'm with Heather, it is so good that you listened...so many times I hear that voice and don't.
Blessings, friend!
Oh, I start my posts with "so" a lot, too!!
I know Stephanie already said this, but we said the EXACT same thing on Friday. God is so beautiful and perfect.
You were completely missed. I look forward to seeing you in May!
Hugs,
Fran
It is indeed nice to understand God's ways immediately...we are a society for "quick fixes." I will briefly share a little story.
My dad has a wealthy brother with whom I have had very minimal contact. He is NOT a Christian...would be closer to being an atheist although he has never used that term to describe himself. Anyway, out of the blue, he began offering financial assistance for childcare of the 3 children. Now that we are going to court to petition for adoption, he has paid our legal fees. Through this, I have had more interaction with him than I ever have in the past. Although it could mean that he would not offer future financial assistance, I have been bold to witness to him at each interaction.
He and my dad had a huge falling out right as I was awarded custody of the children. My dad has always tried to witness to Sandy, but he would have no part of it; he considers my dad to be "nothing more than a noneducated religious fool." I truly believe that God allowed this to happen so that Sandy would interact directly with me rather that through my dad. Because of my education, Sandy sees me as "having the ability to be able to intelligently discuss the situation." Even with that, he has seen that I still give God all the glory for all the work that He has done in our lives and the lives of these children through this situation.
Please pray for him--Sandy Thomason. Please pray for my continued obedience and boldness.
Sorry...that was from me...Angela
I am praying Angela! I didnt know that.....Missed you Sunday...I was left having to see David...hahahah
Sooooo...I'm just upset that I am so clueless and my internet was down that I didn't even "KNOW" about this LPM thing at FBCW until today when I read it on LPM's blog. I can't beelieeeve you didn't FB me and tell me that I could go in your place!! Hee Hee!!
Now more seriously...sorry to hear about your Grandmother in law. My BF from high school's passed,too and I didn't know until yesterday. I keep telling hubs that I do, IN FACT, NEED the internet...he's not buyin' it though.
Love ya girl
wow, i am inspired by how "in tune" you are with the Lord that you knew you were not to go! what a great story of simply trusting God that He is ALWAYS right.
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