Response to Scars and Struggles On the Way

Read Bethel's blog before reading this one.

After I read Bethel's blog it reminded me of how our friendship was definitely ordained by God (As said in my last post). We really do compliment each other very well.  In the situation Bethel just wrote about I am so discouraged and frustrated that If I didn't have her as a best friend I would have given up despite knowing the truth that if God wants me to go he is gonna make a way for me to go.  Sometimes, even when you know that truth, it is still difficult to lean on the Lord.  My prayer is to feel God's peace and trust him that his plan is far greater than anything I can imagine.

As in Job 5:8-9  As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.

Maybe this plan that the three of us are forming is nothing at all what God has planned.  Maybe, when we get there, he is gonna have us doing something different than we intended. Or having us stay a different amount of time than we thought.  Ultimately, God is in control.  We can plan to physically go to Ethiopia but the details belong to him.

On our last trip we met a man who had moved to Ethiopia. He didn't like the idea of living in Ethiopia. When his wife brought up the idea he was totally against it saying, "I don't want to live in Ethiopia, learn Amharic and I am not good with kids."  But after having a convicting dream, he shared with his wife that he would like to form and pastor a church in Ethiopia.  She was thrilled.  They moved there and everything that could go wrong with forming the church went wrong.  Then God and his plan came in.  This man was called to start a daycare. "If I knew that I was going to be working with kids all the time I would not have come," he said. "I am not good with kids but I am a pastor and that is what I am comfortable with."  God gave him the heart to go to Ethiopia but when he got there God had a different plan for him.  If he knew God's plan ahead of time he wouldn't have wanted to go but now he loves what he is doing.  He is living in Ethiopia, learning Amharic, and enjoying each day with children.

I think about this story a lot.  As much as we can plan, plan, plan... God is the one in control.  I struggle with this a lot because I like to plan.  I like things to be organized and thought through and done way in advance.  I like to have things ready before it is time to put things into action. Don't get me wrong. I am not as boring as this sounds.  I can live on edge too.  I just live on edge in an organized manner. haha

As you can tell, there is so much going through my mind and this new trial about money has me going crazy. Right now we could really use your prayers. We need wisdom in making decisions and, also, comfort in the fact that God has this in the palm of his hands.  Thank you so much.

And again... because I love this verse.

As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
Job 5:8-9 (ESV)

and because I like comparing versions

But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.  He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. (NIV)