Not What I Asked For

My little family is having a rough time. There are issues going on all over the place. Yesterday I hit a breaking point. I did my best to hold it together at work. I did take my lunch to leave the building, park in my favorite spot and read some scripture prayer cards. The Word always soothes me. Well, except yesterday.

Yesterday God gave me a gift. Yep. He surely did. I was praying, okay, whining about everything that was going on. I tried to stop the whiny train by praying through my Beth Moore Praying God's Word scripture cards. I read the first card and nodded in agreement. I read another and again nodded in agreement. Then I hit the third card in the stack. It was the one for 2 Corinthians 12:9. Ever read that scripture?


But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Yeah. Not quite what I wanted to hear. So I said aloud "Ooooohkay Lord. I was kind of hoping for something a bit more encouraging." I moved on to the next card. Surely it would be a bit more hopeful. Nope. Another "gut punch". It was the card for 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. Let me share those verses with you.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I don't know about you but that does not elicit the warm, fuzzy soothing feeling I was looking for. it felt more like "Suck it up girl! This is good training!" Um, yeah, but I really did not want to hear that right then. I wanted comfort. Apparently, it wasn't going to happen.

The final "whack"? The next card of course. Ready??

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance... Romans 5:3

Well then.

Wow! I sat there and thought about what had just happened. Wow!

And then I laughed. That's just like God. When we are seeking what we think we need, He gives us what we really need. I was seeking comfort. He provided direction. That was His gift to me; divine direction. It was a gut check. Quit focusing on the circumstances and focus on the One who could either change or get you through them.

That's a lot harder to do when you're in the midst of a bunch of messes and raging fires. But do it I must. After all, God was pretty clear. Besides, I don't think my gut can handle anymore "attention".

And yes, I still love God, even if sometimes He gives me exactly the opposite of what I ask for :) In fact I love Him because He's willing to smile at my request and do the God thing instead. Sometimes I need that. Even when I'd prefer something else. Keeps me humble and teachable.


Has God ever given you the opposite of what you felt you really needed? Feel free to share!


As always, be blessed!!


Mari

So Humbled

Today I received my birthday present from my mom and sister. Now let me say that my birthday was in September. This gift was ordered then but just arrived. And it is a gift that has humbled me.

Several months ago I submitted a devotional for publication in yearly anthology. I was not sure it would be accepted, but to my surprise it was. The payment was one copy of the book, which has one devotional for each day of the year. My mom and sister were so proud of me and happy for me that they ordered......a case! So today, the much anticipated box arrived. My case of Penned from the Heart XV is here.

When it arrived, I opened the box and gingerly took out one copy. I rubbed the cover, which has a beautiful picture of a sunset on it. Just fabulous. I wasn't sure where exactly my devotional was, so I just started reading. I read the note from the editor, Jana Carman. She was fabulous to work with. I then read the note from the publisher, Florence Biros. It was there I learned the list of contributing authors and the location of their devotionals was listed in the back.

With great anticipation, I flipped the book over, started with the last page and feverishly searched for my name. I found it! There was my name, Marietta (Mari) Taylor. After it was the biography I had submitted. I saw my devotional was on January 29. Wow, right in the beginning. I excitedly turned to that page. My first published piece of work. I almost cried. It's one thing to "know" it's going to be published for the first time. It's quite another to see your writing in actual print. Woohoo! I just closed my eyes and breathed in deeply.

My emotions were ones of excitement and humility. Really, who I am that God has allowed me to live a dream I've had since I was seven years old? I am truly humbled. What makes this even more amazing to me is something else that is going on in terms of my writing.

I recently submitted a query to a ministry that has a publishing arm. They expressed interest in the devotional book about which I queried . And... they wanted to know if I was interested in writing a second, complimentary book. I was and I am. So now I am in the midst of writing my first ever book proposals to be submitted by the middle of this month. I will know in January if a contract will be extended.

So, seeing my first work in print right in the midst of trying to move my writing forward was encouraging. God is so, so good. I had been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the book proposals. I feel like God had them arrive today to give me that little bit of encouragement. You know, "Hey, remember me, the God of the universe? I've got you. Just write the vision. Let me handle the rest."

All I can say is, I will. I will. I'll keep you posted on the book proposals. They are in God's hand and He is just so trustworthy. Whatever He chooses, I am okay with it. Again, I'm already humbled by what He has already allowed, so anything further is just, well, fabulous.

I pray you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving! And as always, be blessed as we start this Christmas season.