The last time I wrote was to announce my newfound plans for the Autumn, going to Iris Leadership School in California. I return today, feet up, the familiar sounds of a coffee shop providing marvelous background music, with the desire to remind or possibly inform you, of the fantastic humor of our Savior. So, sit back, relax, join me in putting your feet up, and chuckle along with me at the way Jesus has been moving in my life lately.
Let me bring you up to a speed a little, I leave in about six weeks to drive four days, thirty-three hours, with some clothes and pots and pans in tow. I have received a portion of my needed funding to pay off my tuition due for school, I'm still seeking employment, and a home has yet to be found. I've had moments of undoubted curiosity and freak out at the unknowns ahead, as well as, moments of pure excitement.
Now, let's jump back to about ten days ago. A future roommate of mine sent a message informing us that she had made a connection with someone who asked if they could furnish our home. WHAT. Now remember, we have yet to locate where our home will be for the coming season of our lives. Upon receiving this surprising news, the five women I will be living with began to express that they too had nothing but clothes and a few odds and ends to bring with them. We had no idea but we are all essentially taking a step of faith with hands open and empty and no furniture to speak of. Knowledge we had yet to learn of but the Lord provided before the need was voiced. Sneaky one Jesus, very sneaky.
A few days following this I was lying in bed one night expressing my thoughts, my fears, my dreams to Jesus- attempting to lay them all at his feet, I rolled over to go to sleep. My phone buzzed informing me of a Facebook message. I swiped open my phone only to have a tear slide down my cheek moments after. A tear expressing more awe and surprise than I had ever expected in that moment. A woman I had met once, three years ago, at a conference at the International House of Prayer had messaged me saying that she had read my blog and felt that she was to purchase my plane ticket home for Christmas. WHAT. A woman I hadn't talked to in years, who lives on the other side of the world.
God is just a little bigger than I think He is.
Doubts of being able to pay the tuition attempting to bring me down minutes before and all of a sudden, the Lord showed me that I'd be home for Christmas- by the hand of a practical stranger. If the Lord can provide four months down the road, I can certainly relax about the weeks ahead. Cleaver one Jesus, very cleaver.
In the moments between all of this I found myself on the porch one evening with three of my favorite things: my sketchbook, candles, and worship music. Awhile later I posted a picture of one of my creations and an old friend commented, yet again, of how she felt that I should be selling my prints. She and I met for coffee and long story short- we are opening an Etsy shop together called "Ink & Lace Designs." WHAT. My friend being Jesus to me as she so beautifully believes in me more than I believe in myself. The Lord is teaching me what it looks like to bring the passions He has placed within me to the surface. Creating makes me feel alive and I'm reminded of the love God has of seeing me come alive. I have no idea how this little adventure will turn out but I have been so deeply reminded of the excitement God has for our lives, He dreams bigger than we do. Wow Jesus, wow.
Moral of the story? Ask Jesus to make you smile this week. He loves to see you smile.
P.S. Keep an eye out for our first batch of creations from "Ink & Lace Designs" coming to an Etsy shop near you, soon and very soon!
One more thing ( I don't like P.S.S. that just sounds weird) This blog post may sound like God provides extravagantly all day, every day and that I never have moments of doubt or fear. God does provide extravagantly all day, every day but I do unfortunately still struggle to walk in that knowledge at all times. Rejoice with me in the testimonies above and praise the Lord for all that He is doing in our lives that we miss daily. Know that I am on a journey to grow in faith and somedays are harder than others. We must remember the power of our testimony and that by the Blood of the Lamb, we are saved.
