Have you ever asked for something and were completely thrown off guard when God decides to answer your request almost immediately (He is so faithful!!)? That was me at the beginning of this new year!
If you remember, my goal for 2010 was to be a light to those around me, not only being willing to be used by God, but also ready for those opportunities when they are given... specifically, using St. John's (now a STATE College by the way) as my mission field. For 2011, I prayed and asked God to give me a peaceful and content heart for the new year. In recent weeks, I was constantly finding myself wishing I was in a different phase of my life... at times, I felt like dropping everything... asking myself, "Is there really a purpose in waiting?? I want to get married. I want to start a family. I'm tired of school and am ready for something new." Clearly, my heart needed a lot of work, and the Lord was so gracious to patiently show me where I went wrong. I began to pray and ask Him why I had let my thoughts go so far... was I not busy enough? I've always heard that the season of singleness is to be used for ministry... do I need to find other ways to be busy serving the Lord?
That was indeed my answer! At that point, I prayed that the Lord would open my eyes to needs that needed to be met. I wanted to find myself doing anything and everything, so that I didn't have time to dwell on the discontentment of my selfish heart. It was probably within a week that my prayers were quickly answered! Adding to my 3 classes and work, I have now started helping with a Bible study that targets middle/high school girls. The Lord also laid on my heart a family who just recently had their third baby, and I am now going to their house once a week to be an extra hand with whatever they may need (super excited about this one!). In addition, some moms at Lakeside have put together a girls' group which is focused around preparing to be a mother and wife (things like cooking, family worship, laundry, and many other wonderful things. :) And as the cherry on top, I will begin to go through the book by Sarah Mally, Before You Meet Prince Charming, with Kelly in the coming weeks.
As you can see, my life suddenly got a LOT busier all within the blink of an eye... but I am so thankful! Everything on this "list" is a blessing from the Lord, because I most likely wouldn't be able to do it if it wasn't for this beautiful season that I am in right now -- the season of singleness! I originally felt like quite the fool for thinking/wishing of such things! ...but God quickly pointed out that He designed me that way -- to be a mother and wife -- and it is indeed quite normal to have such a strong desire. But, He has placed me in this season for a reason, and it is my choice whether I use it to please myself or to serve Him.
To close, I'd like to share a little story that my dear friend, Marilyn Coleman, always reminds us girls about... Our life is like a garden. When God created our garden, we started out as a patch of dirt! Until this garden can bring forth its harvest, it must be prepared, tilled, and plowed. If one is too quick to scatter the seeds, then the garden will not bring forth its best crops. But, if it is carefully prepared, the blessings will be bountiful! As a young woman, I am in this season of preparation... and I pray daily that God would give me a desire to be used by Him during this beautiful season of my life! May those who are in this same season seek to do the same, as our gracious Lord continues to make us more like Him."For everything there is a season..." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1
SDG
