There is a need to document what is happening. When I began to experience a spiritual rest and mountain top high with the Lord a few months ago, I started to wonder what is next to come for our family. A bit excited but a bit cautious. When God prepares me this way, I knew something big is going to happen. He was building me up this time to receive something humungous. Something bigger than anything that has happened in several years.
In April, I typed up an entry entitled "New Leaf". The spiritual healing and rest happened 2 months after grieving what happened in our short fostering season. It is now almost August. Troubles started 3 weeks ago in mid July. Van needs a couple thousand bucks worth of repairing. That was fine cuz who needs air conditioned transportation? Who needs a van?
Then, our zucchini plants were attacked by squash borers, 11/13 plants died. Gardening and eating our own harvest is a big deal. Food is expensive!
Then I got a letter about my professional teaching certificate renewal that I needed not 2 but 3 credits of SWD classes.
Then, a few days ago, our one income has been exterminated. Without warning. Even though people could have warned people out of compassion or mercy or whatever.
Then some guy decides to fight another guy in my husband's office where he was on his last two weeks to where a police report had to be filed.
Today, I opened our library account, $25.99 for a lost book we did not lose. REALLY?!
Anyway, Satan is whipping up a perfect storm for us. He sure is having fun. Last time Phil left overseas, I remember another perfect storm. I might have recorded it, I might not have. But I remember it. Someone does not want God's work to be done.
God has a huge plan for us and He has allowed Satan to sift us. There's something that needs to be sifted so... we submit to it. The Lord will deliver us through it, or out of it, or into glory. But I prayed days ago, that when I became a Christian, I knew. I surrendered my all then, and I am never backing out. I am going to serve the Lord with my life. No matter where, how, when, etc There is nothing else that's worth doing. Everything in the world will fade. I don't want to work for things that fade. I don't want to waste the one life God gave me.
All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust in
In His presence daily give
I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
I surrender ALL
I am giving Him all. No reservations.
Here is a list of what I treasure.
my future, my husband, my kids, my gifts and talents, friends, my phone, my wifi, my laptop, my rights, money, my pride, my desire to get a masters, leading worship, writing music, my ambitions, my health...
More will happen. The perfect storm will come. But after the storm,... promises. The day after we lost our main income, people kept sending me pics of rainbows they saw after some rain. Coincidence? I think not. Reassurance. Reassurance that I am the apple of God's eye, the daughter of the KING, princess of God, His most worthy possession, His trophy, Jesus's bride,... that I am taken care of, much more important than the sparrows and the flowers of the fields.
After the sifting, after the perfect storm dies down, God will rain down His mercy, grace, and blessings on us. He will take care of everything and we will not be forgotten. That's what Satan wants us to believe, that we are forgotten in this time of need. No. God has not forgotten about us. And if Satan hasn't forgotten about us either and has asked to sift us, that's actually pretty good news for us as Christians. We will make Jesus famous.
Amen and Amen.
