July 13, 2008

Sunday Grace




2 Corinthians 5:6-9  NAS

"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--

for we walk by faith, not by sight--

we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him."



This verse has really been on my mind in the past few days...and the song above really hit home for me and they tied together so beautifully.  Our family is in a time of transition, actually we've been in transition for about 2 1/2 years.  Since coming back from the mission field and seeking where God would have us fit back in hasn't been as easy as you'd think.  It's taken time to adjust to a new 'career path' and time to adjust to being back in our home church.  Starting life anew has been interesting and humbling at times...alot of young families our age seem to have it all...the great job/income, nice house, 2 cars, etc.  It's hard for me not to look around and wish for what I don't have and to be in a place in life that we just aren't right now.  Slowly but surely the Father is lovingly showing me how to be content in HIM not in the circumstances and not in job security or a padded bank account or even in how others view our situation.  Sometimes I am truly content with where God has us and other times...like lately, I am just struggling so much with it.  I ache for a home...a place to nest and call my own.  I long for my kids to have their own room and to decorate it to their interests and likes.  But it's just not what God has for us right now and honestly, I couldn't tell you the 'why' of it all.  I may never know that answer.  Truthfully, I can't even see where we will be in a year...I can't see our way clear.  I'd love to say next year this time we'll be in a house of our own.  I just don't know.  It's really not about a house or a better paying job, etc...it's about Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him.  

So for now, I am choosing to Walk by Faith and Not by Sight today and let God take care of tomorrow and the next.   



5 comments:

Mandy said...

((hugs)) It's so hard to keep plowing on when you don't know what the future has in store. But, I do know that our awesome God will never steer us wrong and that sometimes when we can't "see" the way, that's when he is carrying us and doing a big work in us. And our faith grows by leaps and bounds. But it is scary and confusing sometimes. I'm praying for you and your family.

Gilpatriclife said...

Thank you for sharing your heart. I too understand as we make our biggest transition yet. Your faith has been used of God to remind me that its not always our plan that is best. I know as we make this move that our family isn't the only family in transition and seeking HIS face to help go on. I am learning to be thankful for what I have now, not what I can have in a few months.
You are a blessing and I think you for being so willing to speak your heart. God has blessed me with your words of Faithfulness. Thanks you!
Hugs

Sharon said...

Thank you for so openly sharing, and being so vulnerable. I think we all struggle with similar issues at one time or another ... just keep trusting that the Father has a plan for you, and HIS plan is always the best. I'll pray for you, friend.

Liz Ferguson said...

I Love this song. I listened to it a lot last summer when Bill and I were going through a dark time (not having a job), not knowing what God had for our future, and then to find out that we were surprisingly expecting baby #4! We had no choice but to walk by faith. God is good and He always proves faithful.

Thank you for sharing your heart. Our stories are very different, but I can totally relate. When we got married(8 years ago) we planned to be going over seas with NTM. But God changed our plans and threw us for a loop. We had to try and scramble for plan B, meanwhile all of our friends our age, seemed to already have it all. I have struggled on both ends...one, why didn't God send us, and two, why can't we have what everyone else has. Anyway all that to say, it has taken me a long time but I feel like I am just starting to come to a place where I am content where God has us. I know that His plan is best...although there are still there are days that I struggle.

Sorry this comment is so long. Didn't mean for it to be. I love your heart and appreciate your honesty.

Lots of love,
Elizabeth

Loving Life said...

Hey SWEET Friend! A *SQUEEZE* from me! I hear your heart and moment and I'll be praying for a sweet calm when those sometimes unsettling-faith-filled times arrive. Sharp turns in life are so distracting but we both know how much we undoubtedly live for those unexpected turns. God is good and always has better in mind for us- course it'd be great if it was material things but you're right, its all about your relationship with him! You are an encouragement Kari, because you are so REAL. You blog things we ALL struggle with! I love you for that!!! I'll be praying for you and maybe even for that perfect little dwelling place that God's put his mark on just for you!!!

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