Crock pot vs Microwave God?

This week, I've been literally bombarded by different modalities teaching me about waiting on God and how to use your situation...RIGHT NOW...to do something for the Kingdom...and it's only Tuesday!  That's been my heart, but as only God can do, He just keeps pounding it in to this thick skull...okay, I got it God!

Here's some of the revelations of the week that I would like to share with you.  DISCLAIMER:  Most of them have been "borrowed" and "paraphrased" from other speakers so I will give credit where credit is due (I mean, why reinvent the wheel, right?)!

• Sometimes in life, you've got to bunt.  Quit trying to swing for the fences and do what you can do, in this moment, to just connect and do SOMETHING for the Kingdom.  Use your trials, troubles, heart aches NOW and quit saying "well when I'm over this, then I will help someone".  Steven Furtick
• God is placing a comma in your life, not a period.  This is NOT OVER...the best is yet to come.  He's a God of the commas, not periods!  Herbert Cooper
• "Many of us may feel like it's Friday and we're being crucified, but Sunday is coming, and God will get all the glory.  The same power that conquered the grave lives in every believer.  We all have the victory of Jesus inside of us.  If we walk IN that victory, instead of thinking that we are fighting FOR victory, we'll understand He's present in our lives."  Perry Noble, What is God Really Like?
• "Remember this as you wait: God isn't doing something TO you, but something IN you."  "God sees our problems as an opportunity to help us rely on him more for strength and to grow in spiritual maturity." "God wants to break your heart for the things that break His heart".  Toby Slough, What is God Really Like?

Do we see a pattern here?  Hmmm...God will use the periods of waiting in our lives to refine us, grow us, change us to the man/woman He has called us to be.  And when He is ready, He will move us on to the next step.  The Bible is FULL of these instances of waiting, some times, like in Moses' case, up to FORTY years...but then out of that waiting came AMAZING, jaw dropping things (I'm just picturing Charlton Heston and the Red Sea parting right now!).  So, why don't we want to wait?  We are so impatient, we want it all now (drive through, microwave generation), and we absolutely don't want to wait (hey, I'm not casting stones, I'm the same way).  However, we serve a crock pot God, as our pastor so eloquently teaches; He wants us to simmer on low for a loooong time so He can get us ready and make sure the changes stick.  If we got nuked, probably wouldn't be a lasting change and we wouldn't be able to appreciate the outcome as much.

So, as much as I hate to admit it, I think I like serving a crock pot God.  If I got everything my way, all the time, right now, what a spoiled brat I would be!  For the first time in my life, I'm actually okay with waiting on God and I'm not trying to run ahead.  What's the rush really?  I'm waiting, I'm learning, I'm growing, I'm (gulp) maturing?  I'm taking time to slow down and enjoy life, smell the roses, simplify a bit and have my priorities in line.  I'm finding the blessings to be tremendous. 

From the time Brad and I started dating, I had always told him that he was worth the wait...and he was and he is I can assure you.  But for the first time in my life, I'm learning that God has felt the same way about me...He's been there all along, He's been waiting all this time for me to turn to Him 100%...and I feel Him smiling and saying TO ME, "It's been worth the wait."

Simmering on low,

JOY

That's What Friends Are For...

A few weeks ago, I alluded to the fact that due to this unfortunate turn of events in my life, that a whole lot of good had come out of the dark times.  There are so many things to list, but today I want to talk about the friendship aspect.

First off, only due to me being brought to my knees have I had the opportunity to develop several level 10 relationships (what our pastor calls those deep, soul bearing friendships---level 1 being you talk only of the Cowboys and the weather!).  There are some that are newer friends, and some I've known for 20 plus years, but let me tell you, they have been there for me when the world has looked pretty dark.  And do you know why we are Level 10 friends?  Because we are REAL, we do life together, we bear our souls.  There is no filter, no judging, no jealousy, just acceptance right where you are at and a belief in each other on who God is calling you and created you to be!  Through this journey, it hasn't just been about me...all of us have struggled in various issues and I'm not saying we have it all figured out...but we know whether it is the valley or the mountaintops, that we are here for each other and we are standing for one another on the Rock.  These are friends that I can call at 1am and talk or say come over...and they do.  These are friends that when my world crashed down around me, I texted to come now...and they left in the middle of a movie and came straight to my house and went into survival mode with me that was straight off a TV show!  They are friends who left families, young children, to spend the night with me when I just couldn't be alone or I couldn't sleep or they didn't want me to be alone...sometimes for days...and who spoke truth over me that this was not going to destroy me, defeat me, or become me because they wouldn't let that happen!  They talked me down off a cliff when I felt like pulling a Thelma and Louise.  They listened as I sobbed so hard that literally my breath was taken away and I couldn't breathe.  They made me get out of bed, go to work and find the joy in every day.  And you know, once I got moving, I did find that joy and life shined brighter on those days.  They refused to give up on me, when honestly, I wanted to quit some days.  And more than that, they prayed, without ceasing, and covered me with their faith and belief that God was in control.  God placed each of these special people in my life for such a time as this and He spoke through them and to them to help guide me on this journey.  Some days, there were only baby steps...and others, there were leaps and bounds!  But you know what?  We've all grown in the process.  I'm so incredibly greatful and humbled by their sacrifices because I know at times, they when they helped me shoulder this burden, it's been every bit as hard on them to watch me suffer and struggle as if they were the one it was happening to.  You know who you are and on this day, I say thank you.  Your friendships mean the world to me and I love each of you and count my blessings EVERY day for what you have done for me!  My life will never be the same due to each of your influences!

Maybe you would expect the above in this sort of situation...but what I haven't expected was another level of friendships that has occurred.  Let's just call them restored friendships.  Do you know in the past week, I have had three random friends (none know each other), who I used to be close to, contact me out of the blue and say, "Hey, what's up, Miss you!"  and reach out after losing touch over the past few years.  Wow...what a bomb I've had to drop...each one of them has cried and contacted me and you know all three of them have shared their own marriage struggles and how they were separated, near divorce, on the rocks, and some barely hanging on.  So, God has placed them back in my life to share my story and I hope to be able to help them and guide them a little bit by sharing God's plan for their lives and what I've learned through Him on this journey.  I do not believe in random events anymore...I know every thing that happens, only happens due to God's ultimate plan and infinite wisdom.  I hope that I can be a conduit to share what God has shown me and pay it forward.  And that's JUST in this week people---there are others!  And there are friends I have that I cherish that I have never met face to face...long stories there...but they are precious to me!  I have literally had to start scheduling phone calls with people as I need time to talk to each one of them and can't have them all calling at the same time!  Is God good or what??!!!  All the time!!!

So, today, I say thank God for friends!  True friendships in this world are hard to find and harder to keep.  We were not put on Earth to do life alone (that's a plan of the enemy to isolate us...but that's for another day).  God created these friendships as our little angels here on Earth to keep us sane and I for one, am VERY glad for that!

Glad to call you a friend,

JOY

What a Week!

This week has been nothing short of amazing...why, oh why, do I always act suprised at what God is doing?  But STILL, I am humbled by HIM!

This is no joke...this week, I went to the bank EVERY DAY to deposit money that just arrived, unexpected, in various forms...talk about God's favor!  Socking it all away for a rainy day (for those of you asking me for a loan!)  Also, I had listed my horse trailer for sale on the internet as I'm downsizing...it sold in THREE days to the first guy that came and looked at it.  And on top of that...the older gentleman who purchased it flat out asked me if I was a Christian (I told him I was divorced and was downsizing when he asked why I was selling the trailer) and I said, umm, yeah?!  He proceeds to give his testimony of his divorce, what God has done in his life, and just encourage me and speak to me and we shared inspirations and what God has been and is doing in our lives.  When he drove off with the trailer, after I had pocketed my money!, I was just standing there with my mouth open, like DUHHHHH...really, did that JUST happen God?  Yep, it did...oh and did I mention he also wants to start using my practice and bring his animals to me for care?  So, I gained a client, too!  God is good ALL THE TIME people!  How cool is that?

This week has been super busy at the office and it's been a fun week.  But, I'm looking forward to a little R&R after I'm off work tomorrow to recharge my batteries, reflect on this week, and just praise God for what He has done and what He is doing in my life.  The word He has given me for this week in my quiet time has been "BELIEVE"...just believe in HIM, trust in HIM...ask, pray, believe, forgive...such a simple command but yet, so hard to do at times.

I hope all of you have a blessed weekend!

Joy

All I can say is...WOW!

I cannot tell you how many emails, texts, face book messages, and comments I received after yesterday's post.  All I can say is...WOW...God is good ALL THE TIME!  That was a very personal thing to write about, but I just felt the call to do so.  The response has been humbling.  So, thank you friends.  As always, God had the right people read those words at the right moment in time and I'm humbled that He could speak through me to some of you.  What could have been a very sad, depressing day turned into a very powerful day full of God's love, wisdom and reaffirmation that He's in control and I'm on the path He wants me to be at this time. 

Just wanted to share some verses that sum up some of what I was trying to say yesterday...

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might
show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all
the earth." Exodus 9:16

"He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know
that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might
always fear the LORD your God." Joshua 4:24

"The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you
will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a
different person." I Samuel 10:6

I, for sure, can say I am a changed person in so many ways and the journey is just beginning.  There have been so many doors opened for me in just the past month, that would have never been opened if I had not been on this journey.  Again, humbling and amazing to watch our God work!  Thanks to each of you for being on the journey with me, encouraging me, gently correcting me when I go astray, and just being YOU! 

Blessings!

JOY

With this ring...

Eight years ago, at 3pm on a beautiful Saturday in Tyler, TX at the Rose Gardens, I said "I Do" to the man of my dreams.  It still is the best day of my life, even now.  Last year on our 7 year anniversary, we had an amazing day in Rome, fabulous Italian dinner, strolled around the Vatican area at night...just a dream.  And now, one short year later, I hold a piece of paper that says that marriage is no more.  Talk about a nightmare...very surreal in thinking how did we get here?  I refuse to be sad on this day...instead, I think about all the wonderful memories we had together and I just keep praying God's will be done.

I get a lot of strange looks and close friends have bluntly asked, "why are you still wearing your wedding ring?"  It is a complicated and loaded question...those that aren't married or have never been divorced probably can't understand it.  There are several reasons that I will share here and try to explain...

1.  For me, it takes more than a piece of paper to say this marriage is over.  I took a vow, I believe in that vow, even if the other person does not.  You don't erase an 8 year marriage with a piece of paper...sorry State of Texas but you don't.
2.  It is a reminder of the convenant I took before God when I was married AND right now, it is also a big reminder of the promise I have from God that He has a plan, it's a perfect plan, and I just need to wait on Him and not be distracted by the noise of this world.
3.  It is a barrier for people to leave me alone---I'm not interested in dating, meeting other people, etc.  Thanks, but no thanks.  And I don't want to be asked (and yes, that has already happened).  I also don't feel it is necessary to have conversations with every person I meet on the fact that I'm divorced/single and why.  None-ya bizness!
4.  It is a signal to others that God has not released me from my vows at this point.  Believe me, I have asked.  But right now, He says wait.  Do not take the ring off.  There is a reason.

With all the above being said, there may come a day when I'm released from the above and the ring does come off and I'm free to move on.  I'm not in denial of what is going on around me.  I'm not delusional...but it's complicated.  I have zero clue as to what the future holds, so I'm just trying my best to be obedient, keep the faith and wait on God's perfect timing...not mine.  And a major lesson I've learned in all of this is that God's plan and timing is NOTHING like mine...it's better.

Here's to Eight Years...

JOY

Did You Think I Would Stay Quiet?

I know, I know...I haven't blogged in over a week...since May...YIKES!  Have I given it up?  Did I fall off the face of the Earth?  Nah...just been super, duper busy these past few weeks.  Time is flying by and I'm just trying to keep up!

Since I've returned from Haiti, I have had a lot of people ask me my "deep thoughts" on Haiti and why do I think I was called to go.  I've really had to process through it all and I've come to one conclusion...God knew I was going to go through some hard things in the month of May and I feel He used the Haiti trip for me to prepare me and to re-inforce that I need to lean on HIM to get me through hard times.  In Haiti, you must dig deep to get through each day.  There is nothing easy there and every thing is a process.  You can't just sail through a day without doing some soul searching.  I think for me, that was a big lesson...when times get tough, lean on the Lord even harder. 

So, as of May 28th, the state of Texas says I'm officially divorced.  As much as I dreaded that day and did NOT want it to come, I was at peace with it when I got the news.  I still say God will have the last word here and I just keep praying His will be done, not mine.  I still believe and have faith in His restoring power and the miracle of reconciliation but I did all HE asked me to do, I fought the good fight, and I simply gave the battle to the Lord...but for right now, it wasn't His will for the marriage to be saved and there is a reason for that.  I do believe in light of some recent events, that I'm being protected and this is not a punishment. 

There are so many of you that have been on your knees praying for me, for Brad and for our marriage...and many of you were very discouraged that the miracle didn't happen.  I think it is often harder for the ones on the outskirts of the situation because they aren't directly hearing the Lord's words about the situation.  So, don't be discouraged...be encouraged!  God's plan is bigger and better and it will be revealed in time!  I believe with all of my heart Jeremiah 29:11-13...For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will lister to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 

In the past month, I have really been praying for God to show me how to turn this loss into contribution for the Kingdom.  In one week, I was asked to give not one, not two, but THREE talks...two about my Haiti trip and one for a women's conference to share my testimony.  These offers all came during a tough and trying week...and I do believe that this is step one of how I can turn my hurt, pain, and trials into a positive thing.  I hope that my story can help others and I do believe that this is part of the plans the Lord has for me specifically.  A little scary but very exciting and promising all at the same time!

Any one that knows me knows that I won't play the victim role...it is not in me.  Sure, I feel hurt and pain like everyone else and I have bad days, but I refuse to stay in that hurt/pain.  I made a conscious decision that I would not be beaten by this and I won't harbor resentment or be the "bitter ex-wife".  Life has thrown me a bunch of lemons, but I'm learning how to turn it all into lemon aide!  So, I'm excited for what the future will bring.  Was this the path I would have chosen for my life?  Certainly not...and I don't advocate divorce, nor do I believe in it.  But, we live in a fallen world and things do happen.  I have seen first hand though how God turns each one of these horrible things in to something good for His glory...and that is just so cool and amazes me every time!

Thanks for the love and support and prayers---keep them coming as I open a new book and start a new chapter in my life.  My story is certainly not over...in many ways, it is just beginning!

Popcorn ready...!

Joy