This year, we've been in the process of looking for a new home church.
Last May, due to a series of events and happenings within our family, the Lord nudged us to leave our home church.
Where were we going?
We had no earthly idea! However, our Heavenly Father knew all too well the journey we were about to take. Praise God for His wisdom!
In the absence of the church, we grew closer to our Lord. We found ourselves studying God's Word, not just to prepare a Sunday School lesson, but to spend time with the Lord.
We found ourselves listening and singing praise and worship music, not because we were being led to do so, but because we found the urge in our hearts to sing a song of praise and listen to the sweet melodic rhythm of our Lord's music and worshipful words penned by others.
We found ourselves craving the company of others in Bible study rather than rushing on Wednesday and Sunday nights to meet a deadline to begin and end.
We, once again, began to enjoy the fellowship with other Christian brothers and sisters, who had similar hunger and thirst for our Lord and a desire to be with Him and meet with us, dine with us, worship with us, grow with us.
My dear husband led many in-home services of home-worship, proving once again he is the head of the house and as for his family, we will serve the Lord.
And in the absence of corporate worship, I found myself longing for what was missing.
And once again, I found it was me.
Due to a series of unfortunate events, I had once again become one of the "sheeple". One in a flock of sheep-people that was being herded blindly. Not seeking food for myself but rather waiting to be led. And sometimes being led by those who should not have been leading. This is a dangerous and lonely place. Praise God for discernment given in these times to recognize we are all sinners, and all fall oh-so-short of the glory of God!
So, for the past year, I've searched for more from my holidays. What do they mean? What should I learn from them? How can I grow? What is God showing me? Where does He want me to be?
And that's where I'll finally begin. Preparing for Lent.
I knew this year was different. It had to be. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me I found myself confessing to my husband, my other earthly half, where I was lacking and where I needed to be filled.
It started with confession. Then it led to prayer.
What does God want me to bring to Him in prayer? Where do we go from here? Still not having a home church, I find myself in a desire to "belong" to a church.
Ugh.
Isn't that boring and insanely vague?
Just leaves you wondering, huh?
Well, it does me too! Where do we go from here?
Another question I have a need to find answers to is "What's next for my kids?" I need an exit plan. I need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, even though I can't see it now. Thanks to my dear friend J and her superb guidance, we are now working on this.
But still, does my vision match God's vision? Because godly actions aren't always where God wants you. Sometimes He wants you in a complete different place than where you think you are heading.
And I've felt for a long time now, the need to achieve freedom from debt.
Due to a lot of wasted years of life and money and time, the false search for what the world values and adopting five children, we carry too much debt. We are less than 10 years of full-on retirement at an early age. We are not ready! And still having five teens at home that are no where near ready to fly the nest. Financial freedom isn't just a desire, it is a must!
And so, as I began praying on these things and so much more, God revealed a book to me. Immediately after reading some reviews and researching the author, I ordered it!
"Draw the Circle. The 40 Day Prayer Challenge." by Mark Batterson, author of The Circle Maker and more!
It arrived quickly, within 4 days from Christian Book Distributors (one of our favorite places to shop!) and I could hardly contain myself from ripping into that box! I opened it and began reading. As I read a bit, I had to put it down.
Huh? You must be asking why...
I could tell it was going to challenge me. Was I really ready for this challenge? Am I ready to stop asking questions and truly begin finding answers?
My answer? A resounding yes!
I shared with sweet hubby the beginning and shared with him my plan to pray and learn what God wants me to pray for in my "circle time" and where the logistics would be of my "circle time" and when my "circle time" would be.
Now, in all fairness to the author, I am not going to give away his entire book. I encourage you, challenge you even, to get your own copy of the book and work the circle for yourself.
What I am going to do is share with you the things God has prepared for me personally, and things that will be revealed to me, personally. You glean from it whatever you will.
So sweet friends, I challenge you to get the book. Grab your favorite learning Bible and get ready to ride this rollercoaster of emotional and spiritual growth with me!
I'm expecting big things from this because I serve a big God! He is wonderful, He is Almighty and He is oh, so worthy!
