Stories that Shine on an Awesome God

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Destiny Designer

 She called me this morning, thrilled to the core.

For years now, most of her calls have been upbeat, but this one was over the top. This one faded other conversations into oblivion.

Over the years we have conversed about her:

        dating debacles         teaching degree           wedding plans

        daughters’ births          homeschooling          married life

     living under construction               divorce proceedings

     nursing degree          heart-wrenching abuse memories

    parents’ deaths       new love          photography

job challenges           traveling dreams          family dynamics

       honest, Spirit-led fellowship and the lack thereof

              God concepts

Three months ago she quit her well-paying nursing job to assist in a non-paying ministry. (click to discover her ministries) Left all except her supportive, patient husband to follow Him.

Left all. Followed Him.

“I just know that now is the time. I’m convinced. This is where God wants me.”

Quit job. Left income-producing, fishing nets behind. Followed Him.

“I’m trusting You, Lord.”

Then she started pipe-dreaming, obsessing actually, over her longing to travel. She researched RV’s and motor homes.

“Why, Lord? Why am I thinking about this? I don’t have the money. I just want to help the fatherless and widows and the abused who are being held captive. So why an expensive RV?”

This morning the Light poured in.

“An RV is how you will help rescue the captives and reach those who are fatherless. An RV will be a safe place for them. From there you will help heal the abused. An RV will take you to fellowships willing to be taught how to relate to the rescued. This, my darling daughter, is your destiny, your reason to be.”

THOSE calls, those other calls over the years, every one significant, had been but mere pieces of her life’s puzzle. THIS one was her fit, her long-sought answer.

Her destiny.

Planned by the Father of Lights. Her Lover above all lovers. The Healer of her fractured life. The Giver of her dreams.

Her Destiny Designer.

Have you discovered your destiny? Share how your Destiny Designer revealed your reason to be.

“For I know the plans I have for you . . . .” Jeremiah 29:11

Category:

Destiny, God of Our Ultimates

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Creative Healer

Pulling folders out of the metal cabinet, I glanced at their tabs before tossing them into the trash bag. “Church Communications, Youth Ministry, Sermon Topic Ideas . . . .”

“I won’t need these anymore, ever,” I gritted as the mound on the floor grew. “After what I’ve done, the shame and dishonesty, God can never use me again. Never.”

My eyes fell on a manuscript draft that had launched a creative flourish nearly a decade before.

“This I’m keeping, but not much else.”

The emotional pain constricting my heart blocked any thought of creativity.

I tied the ends of the trash bag and set it outside the room that had once been my daughter’s. Before she married and left home. Before I had turned it into my own private space to write and study. The file cabinet was empty just like my side of the walk-in closet down the hall.

It was time to leave. Time to make a new home. Time to live out the consequences of my choices in an arena devoid of church fellowship or ministry.

Four years later:Image of Corn plants against the sky

I bent over a hoe, scratching dirt around tender corn stalks. Creativity did not enter my mind. Surrendering to the hoe, to the whole, huge garden that my new husband loved, filled every crevice of my thoughts. Straightening my back, I gave in and breathed an agreement to learn the lessons that garden had to teach.

“And I will write! I will write those lessons.”

Creative musings stirred as if roused from the grave. New life seemed to surge from deep within.

“Perhaps, just perhaps God will use me again.”

Thank you, heavenly Father. Thank You for being a God who creates and recreates. Always. Constantly. You never stop creating. Creativity is how You mend a tattered heart. Thank You for the creativity You place in me. Thank You for its healing power.

How has God revealed Himself through your creativity?  Care to share?

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalms 51:10

Category:

Creative

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