I wanted to take a minute to kind to share a little about what has been going on in my spiritual life over the last few years. Many of you may know that I was saved at 7, and continued a life in church throughout my life. Growing up in church I was taught Biblical truth. Things like; God answers our prayers, God knows and understands everything we are going through. When I look back on my life I would say that I had experienced these truths, but these specific topics were not something a dwelled on and pondered. Well two years ago, I began a study called “Breaking Free” The study really focused on breaking free from things that hinder a true relationship with God. Old habits, fears, and for me, being apathetic towards my prayer life. At the beginning of this study, I was really struggling to reestablish a relationship with a family member that I used to be close with. One night as I was praying about this relationship, I heard God tell me just to continue to pray for this person. I heard this very clearly and I took away, that I should not act on anything, but just pray. Throughout the next year, I began keeping track of all my answered prayer and really pushing myself to be more aware of how God was answering me. Well, exactly one year later, as I was praying for this same important relationship, I heard God tell me it was time to talk with this person. Although I was fearful about the confrontation, God gave me the strength to reach out. It turned out that this special person in my life was also wanting a closer relationship with me, and we both walked away promising that we would be make the steps to build up what we use to have.
Well, the beginning of this January, I began a new study on the book of James. The introduction of the serious began talking about the relationship of Jesus and his brother James. The speaker helped us imagine what this relationship must have been like. That the two growing up must have been so close because of the culture that they lived, but at the same time James did not believe in Jesus and who he was. This must have put a strain on the relationship. Later in Jesus’ life after his resurrection, Jesus made sure to reestablish his relationship with his brother, because it was such an important thing to him. He no doubtably loved his brother and he knew what his brother needed and when he needed it. I then began to realize the truth that God does know and understand everything we go through because he himself has experienced it. These truths have really rung clear in my spiritual walk and I am so thankful that God saw me through them.
Something else that I learned in James is from the versus 1:5-6 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. It got me thinking that I had never asked God specifically for wisdom. That night I prayed that God would grant me wisdom when it came to making decisions about my family. Like the versus say, ask without doubting that God will give you what you asked for. I asked without any doubt, and God answered as he promised.
The decision that God spoke to me for my family is what I believe is totally a God thing. Without his guidance, I would have followed my own accord in the matter that….
We are pregnant with baby number three.
Most of you may know that Matt has always wanted more children but I was very adamant that I would not have any more. God spoke to me and told me to have another child. He has fully granted me peace on the matter. If you had asked me December 31st my answer was absolutely not. It is amazing where God is leading our family; it is amazing the truths that I have received over the last four years. My God is amazing and through Him all things are possible.
