We have been under a little stress lately. We are not sure where we need to go in life. We thought that Texas was where we were supposed to be. Our house didn't sell so we came back to South Carolina. However, John couldn't get a job here so he works almost 2 hours away. The first year he rented an apartment and when the lease was up he started driving. The driving is just too much so we decided that it was time for him to quit and concentrate on finding a local job. Lots of folks say we are crazy. Maybe we are. We are floundering and not sure what is the best route for bringing our family back together again.
I hear people tell me to follow God's will. Follow God's plan. I sure wish he would send me a text because we are so lost when it comes to this issue. Neither one of us grew up in the church or even in a Christian home. I didn't become a Christian until I was in my 30's. I really don't understand how to know if I am following God's will.
I do feel as though I am following God's plan with fostering and adoption. It is such a deep feeling that this is what I am supposed to be doing. Is my schooling a distraction? I hope not. Is my husband supposed to come home or continue his work out of town. It just doesn't feel right living apart which is what we would do if he continued at his job. We do know that he will not be able to find a job making the same income. We are fine with that. I would just like for him to have a fulfilling job where he can home every night. But the fear creeps in, what if he can't find a job at all?
I read.....
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
Question for my Christian readers...how do you know that you are following God's plan?
Sometimes, you don't know until later. I don't know. I think it's about having the faith to jump when you're not sure about what to do. It's about having the faith to know that God will take care of you. I think eventually doors open and then it becomes clear, but sometimes it isn't even then. I'm not much help, but all I can say is pray pray pray and trust in God.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was an easy answer for that. Some people seem to always hear God's voice but I must need a 2x4 upside the head to hear it. I guess when you feel a peace about it, it's right.
ReplyDeleteThe way I know, is it feels right. it works out smoother. God doesnt want our kids to suffer. He wants us all to prosper. It seems that right now you were on a learning strengthening time. Texas may be the right place to go back to.
ReplyDeleteMLGM here... My thinking is always pretty simplistic, but I think it's clear that you are meant to be fostering/adopting. Are your graduate studies a distraction? Maybe. But, you are learning things that may help your own children and you certainly have insight to share with your fellow students. By extension, you will be helping children that you may never even meet because you shared something from your experience with a fellow student. Not to mention that it's smart to have credentials to put to use should something untimely happen to your DH. It's an insurance policy. And, I totally believe that there will be rewards to having your DH alter his career so that he can be home. He's such a champion for his kiddos. No doubt it makes them happy to have Daddy home.
ReplyDeleteSome things are "burning bush" sorts of things where you absolutely know--probably the way you feel about fostering. But even if we look at the Bible- there are stories like Moses,Abraham and Paul who heard in amazing, life-changing way about what God's will for them was. More often though, there are people just going about life, pursuing their relationship with the Lord (Daniel, Joseph, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquilla and countless others) and God used them in mighty ways. I truly believe that unless we hear CLEARLY from God to not do something, or TO do something specific, as long as we are actively pursuing our walk with Him and taking our options to Him in prayer, we can make a decision. He doesn't micromanage--He is most interested in our hearts and our willingness to be used no matter where we are living, or what job we have. There are hurting people everywhere and He can use us in their lives no matter where we are. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, and He is our helper, our counselor, and we can trust Him to guide our thoughts and plans. Proverbs 16:9 "A man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps." We may think they're our plans, but God is directing our steps when we commit our ways to Him. Proverbs 21:5a "the plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage". Be encouraged. You can trust Him to give you peace about a decision you make. You can also ask Him that you and your husband would be in agreement. I hope this is helpful and encouraging to you.
ReplyDeleteHi Felicia,
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about your question and I have a few thoughts I want to share but, I can't get the "contact me" thing to work so that I can email you. I'll give you my email and you could email me back if you want to. angelakrusi@hotmail.com
~ Angela
Hm, I wonder why my contact is not working. My email is pritzen1@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete