Pray-Plan-Pursue by Leah

I am blessed and in wonder of His loving kindness towards me!

I was laid off from my place of employment on January 31, 2016. Even though I have not found work yet, I am grateful for this time off. I did not realize I needed it to re-center and discover what is going on with me.

Almost thirteen years ago, I was laid off from another organization. I was devastated. I was single with 2 daughters in college and I was the only one working. I had a mortgage, car note, credit card bills, and everything else it takes to run a household. I had no savings nor emergency funds. I was terrified for me and my daughters’ future.

All I had was a prayer life and an invisible God that most of my family and friends mocked. During this time, I purposely turned off the television, turned my plate upside down and chose to trust Him, though these and other decisions seemed foolish to the world. As He spoke, I obeyed.

The end result, I was out of work for almost a year. All of the bills were paid on time, except one:  my first monthly mortgage payment after the lay off was more than 30 days late–late because it took me that long to readjust my thinking and align it with God’s word, and change my prayer from woe me to God what would You have me to do?

Months later the mortgage company removed the adverse late payment from my credit report, I went back to school for an entire school year (which I loved), I landed another job making more money, and I got married a year after that time to a wonderful man, who is my friend, confidant and faithful cheerleader. My husband is gentle and kind and leads our household into worship as we continue to trust Him at His word.

I learned a lot during this season of my life, but only recently I discovered there was more God wanted to teach and show me:  stay the course and do not lose focus.  It is in the everyday, moment-to-moment living we are to pierce through His “looking-glass”.

I was NOT suppose to get ahead of or fall behind Him (I knew this already, yet I failed miserably), but patiently wait for Him in ALL things, which is easier said than done yet a doable task.  There’s so much in the ALL!  I thought I could pick and choose what I give Him and what I decide to keep.  What a foolish act!

He should be included in EVERY THING, which is what I believed thirteen years ago, when I had no other choice.

God works through us in His perfection.  He is invisible and His works are seamless to the naked eye.  I forgot it is Him doing the work and not me.

After He made all things well in my life and things were better, I began to slowly move away from Him.  Unknowingly, I did what was natural and picked up life’s reins again.

The spiritual lessons I’d learned, I neatly stored away on the bookshelf and then walked out the room.  A lot of time passed and dust accumulated on the books before I realized what I had done.

When will I learn the pain of failure should never be the marker I use to seek Him?

Prayer works for so many reasons.  It relieves stress, increases my ability to plan well and pay attention to the details, while it decreases anxiety and depression.

While I pursue purpose, I hold my life and prayer together in my right hand without a doubt that He’s got me; that is all that matters.

 

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