Since we moved to Texas I have been blessed with the opportunity to dig into the Bible in ways I just hadn't before and I've learned things about God that solidified what I knew or introduced me to the truth and its been a very humbling and eye opening experience that I'm grateful for. I knew God and got to know him really well in college but in the midst of having children I really missed that time daily digging into the bible, it connects you to God and the Holy Spirit in such intrinsic ways, its pretty awesome.
A few weeks ago, its actually probably been closer to a month or so ago in church they showed a video about tithing, about giving sacrificially and Believing God and his promise to meet you in the sacrifice. For me, it is easy to believe that God will work through or for someone else but in my life when the rubber meets the road its hard to believe that he will come through, especially when you are looking at the stuff ahead. Which is a long story and I will explain more later, because this post isn't about me. I want to talk about a dear friend and her journey thus far.
I met Laura Michelle Reed while we were both going to Colorado Christian University we had both just transferred there and were both in Women's Choir, and we even took some of the same Theology classes. I got to know her pretty well on our choir tours, but after school we each went our own ways and I've occasionally seen her pop up on my Facebook. I love her heart for Africa and her heart to serve. It breaks my heart the pain she has been experiencing and I'm so glad that I have been able to see God work through her story right now and I'm excited to see what he has in store for her in the future.
The reason I felt like I should share is I feel convicted of the fact that I prayed and lifted her up with full faith that God would come through, that God would somehow provide her with what she needed, to get back to herself and be pain free. All to often though I doubt his work right here, I don't Believe him even though I know his promises are true and even though I know that as soon as I ask God has answered and put into motion all that needs to be done for that answer.
Then it hit me when I read her blog post on the Huffington Post a few days ago. This really hit home with me.
Laura said, "I called Emily, and she began to affirm me. I had no idea just how serious she was about the fight. Before I knew it, Emily's entire hometown was fighting the fight with me. Servers were giving their tips. Friends were going door to door. Office Max was donating cards to pass out. Where was I? Sitting on my floor crying. I don't understand it all, and I don't think I ever will, but I am blown away by the power unity. I am blown away by the power of love and the power of sacrifice. Do I wish to be in pain? Definitely not. But I am so thankful for the way I have seen both Christians and non-Christians come together to reach a common goal and purpose. I am thankful for the timing of the situation. I was in a place in my walk with God where I needed to see something big happen. I don't think I expected to see it this way, but He is mysterious, and I am thankful no matter what."
*you can read the rest here Community and Faith in the Face of Hardship
That's it...I don't wish to be where I'm at but that's the truth and in the grand scheme of things its where we are supposed to be. God has a plan and its in motion but we cant always see the evidence of it like in this situation with Laura you can go to her page on Facebook or Operation Laura and watch how people all around the world are contributing and how God is working, providing what Laura needs. Today Laura has her surgery to become pain free, Praise God!! But you or I may not be able to see it working like in Laura's case it may be more subtle or behind the scenes. In those moments when you cant see and you are wondering why, or when. Call on God or that friend that will listen that will encourage or even fight and fight hard for you. There are times we are called to be still, because there is someone else who is called to fight. What an amazing fight Emily Fox has fought for Laura its beautiful to see and I'm honored to be a part of.
Always remember that God is there, he hears you. A great reminder of that is Daniel, God took care of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah when they were first taken to Babylon (Daniel 1) , God set them apart, and hurled them forward in his huge plan in Babylon. He delivered them from the fiery furnace, Daniel 3, and he closed the mouths of the Lions in Daniel 6. Not to mention all the times God gave Daniel wisdom to interpret dreams.
Trust God and Believe God as hard as it may be sometimes but when the time is necessary call on your friends to pray and intercede and fight for you when you cant.
Pray for Laura help if you can and please spread the word!
Blessings to you and yours until we meet again. Thanks for reading :)
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
God goes before
I'm constantly reminded of this fact and I could give you lots of examples just in the last few years of how God proves this. I was reminded yet again this morning in my bible study, our God is AMAZING!! I'm just going to say if any of you have the opportunity to join a bible study with ladies or men of different ages I encourage it. There is something so beautiful about soaking up truths about Jesus among such a great cloud of witnesses. While I was listening to all there wonderful stories about how God has orchestrated things in there lives I was reminded about one of the most recent examples in our lives.
When Daniel started running again several years ago he would joke that he wanted to qualify for Boston, he kept saying that, that's on his bucket list. I'm pretty sure we talked about it hundreds of times. In May 2010 some ladies at our church invited him to run the Colfax relay from that point on he was hooked.
The next May he signed up to ran the Colfax half, he trained so hard during his training he got plantar fasciitis and bruised his arch on his right foot, he was out for 6 weeks. The Sunday of the race it was a cool misty morning and they had re-routed the runners through the downtown fire station. As he was running through the fire station another runner fell and when she did she hit Daniel's leg and he fell. He was on track to hit his PR, all of the sudden he realized that not only was he not going to hit his PR but he was in so much pain. He couldn't carry J who was only 8 months old, thankfully all it took was a trip to the chiropractor to get him back on track. We started to look for a marathon for him to run. We found one in Dallas and signed him up. He was training, he had a nutritionist, everything was looking good for his marathon. He was so excited to be pursuing his Boston hopes. We were planning on moving from Colorado to Texas, we were pregnant with C and we figured that by marathon time in December we would be in Texas.
God had other plans...we moved out of our apartment and in with some friends, as his marathon quickly approached we started to make plans to go down to Texas. A few weeks before the marathon our car started leaking oil, and things fell through with our place to stay so Daniel went by himself. He ran a good race, it was in the mid 40's and pouring down rain. He finished his very first marathon in 4:09, well over his desired pace but he finished and did a great job! After he finally made it home on the bus, we celebrated! He had two Smashburgers, was in warm clothes and was able to stretch, he was in his happy place but determined in so many ways to dominate his Boston qualifying PR in December 2012.
At the end of March 2012 we welcomed our baby C into the world and Daniel got his long awaited for job in Texas. 2 weeks later we packed up our things and moved from Lakewood Colorado to our home in Texas today. Later that year we kicked the marathon planning and training into high gear as we pursued Boston, as soon as registration opened he was registered. We knew we had it, Daniel was so confident we booked a hotel just a few blocks from the start line. It was all set up, he started the race on pace and we were tracking him in the hotel room and he was on track to hit his time!! Me, J and C were so excited, we headed out to be at the finish line in time to see him cross, but we were running late then we were at the wrong finish line!! AHH we missed both of his marathon finishes. the weirdest part was that at the 15k they stopped updating me with his time. When he finished we couldn't pull up his final time, we couldn't even find him on the race website. He crossed the line at 3:06:12!! you wont find proof of that and for months he went round and round with the marathon and there was nothing he could do, his Boston Qualifying time was no where to be found. What was going on???
Then on April 15, 2013 while I was watching tv during nap time, I saw something so tragic happen, there was a bombing...at the Boston Marathon?! I was floored, speechless, my heart went out to each and everyone of the people affected. I know that my husband would have moved hells half acre to be there if there was any way for him to prove he qualified. I still cant believe the events that unfolded that day.
As the Dallas Marathon approaches again this year we will be there, my boys and I will be at the finish line cheering on my husband as he crosses the finish line. I know that God goes before us, and I'm thankful in so many ways that we weren't in Boston that day and my heart goes out to those who were. Run strong, trust God and when things don't make sense give it time. Some how it always makes sense in the end. Remember whenever you are running a timed race that you want a record of to get two timing chips. :) How in the world other than God can someone who registers for a race and runs it doesn't even show up as registering?? There is literally no proof that he even registered.
How great is our God that he is mindful of us, of our comings and goings?
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord - Joshua 29:11
Go in peace and know that nothing is too big for our God, that God knows where you are, and where you are going. Praying for peace and gratitude this November. For I will praise him in the good and the not so good. Joy in all things
Blessings Brothers and Sisters :)
When Daniel started running again several years ago he would joke that he wanted to qualify for Boston, he kept saying that, that's on his bucket list. I'm pretty sure we talked about it hundreds of times. In May 2010 some ladies at our church invited him to run the Colfax relay from that point on he was hooked.
The next May he signed up to ran the Colfax half, he trained so hard during his training he got plantar fasciitis and bruised his arch on his right foot, he was out for 6 weeks. The Sunday of the race it was a cool misty morning and they had re-routed the runners through the downtown fire station. As he was running through the fire station another runner fell and when she did she hit Daniel's leg and he fell. He was on track to hit his PR, all of the sudden he realized that not only was he not going to hit his PR but he was in so much pain. He couldn't carry J who was only 8 months old, thankfully all it took was a trip to the chiropractor to get him back on track. We started to look for a marathon for him to run. We found one in Dallas and signed him up. He was training, he had a nutritionist, everything was looking good for his marathon. He was so excited to be pursuing his Boston hopes. We were planning on moving from Colorado to Texas, we were pregnant with C and we figured that by marathon time in December we would be in Texas.
God had other plans...we moved out of our apartment and in with some friends, as his marathon quickly approached we started to make plans to go down to Texas. A few weeks before the marathon our car started leaking oil, and things fell through with our place to stay so Daniel went by himself. He ran a good race, it was in the mid 40's and pouring down rain. He finished his very first marathon in 4:09, well over his desired pace but he finished and did a great job! After he finally made it home on the bus, we celebrated! He had two Smashburgers, was in warm clothes and was able to stretch, he was in his happy place but determined in so many ways to dominate his Boston qualifying PR in December 2012.
At the end of March 2012 we welcomed our baby C into the world and Daniel got his long awaited for job in Texas. 2 weeks later we packed up our things and moved from Lakewood Colorado to our home in Texas today. Later that year we kicked the marathon planning and training into high gear as we pursued Boston, as soon as registration opened he was registered. We knew we had it, Daniel was so confident we booked a hotel just a few blocks from the start line. It was all set up, he started the race on pace and we were tracking him in the hotel room and he was on track to hit his time!! Me, J and C were so excited, we headed out to be at the finish line in time to see him cross, but we were running late then we were at the wrong finish line!! AHH we missed both of his marathon finishes. the weirdest part was that at the 15k they stopped updating me with his time. When he finished we couldn't pull up his final time, we couldn't even find him on the race website. He crossed the line at 3:06:12!! you wont find proof of that and for months he went round and round with the marathon and there was nothing he could do, his Boston Qualifying time was no where to be found. What was going on???
Then on April 15, 2013 while I was watching tv during nap time, I saw something so tragic happen, there was a bombing...at the Boston Marathon?! I was floored, speechless, my heart went out to each and everyone of the people affected. I know that my husband would have moved hells half acre to be there if there was any way for him to prove he qualified. I still cant believe the events that unfolded that day.
As the Dallas Marathon approaches again this year we will be there, my boys and I will be at the finish line cheering on my husband as he crosses the finish line. I know that God goes before us, and I'm thankful in so many ways that we weren't in Boston that day and my heart goes out to those who were. Run strong, trust God and when things don't make sense give it time. Some how it always makes sense in the end. Remember whenever you are running a timed race that you want a record of to get two timing chips. :) How in the world other than God can someone who registers for a race and runs it doesn't even show up as registering?? There is literally no proof that he even registered.
How great is our God that he is mindful of us, of our comings and goings?
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord - Joshua 29:11
Go in peace and know that nothing is too big for our God, that God knows where you are, and where you are going. Praying for peace and gratitude this November. For I will praise him in the good and the not so good. Joy in all things
Blessings Brothers and Sisters :)
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