"I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."Psalm 145:1-7
I am so excited about all that God is doing in my heart right now that I just had to take a minute or two and share it with you. I was spending time this morning doing my Bible Study and after a while, realized how I had become so engrossed in it. For the first time in quite a while, I am truly excited about my relationship with the Lord. When I asked myself what was different, I realized that it was me. I realized that the Lord had been gracious in answering my prayers to align my heart, my desires, my will, with His. Because for a long time now, I have been fighting Him.
I've known for a while that I have been off. I have been so self focused lately. If you read my past posts about Orlando and such, you will remember how I struggled through those times. Again - reminding myself that "struggling" is nothing less than being disobedient to what God has called you to do. I have pouted about a possible move, having to give up my house, my schedule, my life. What selfishness! What complacency! All that I have is temporary anyway - why hold so tight to it?
As Russell felt the call on his heart to preach the Word of God, all I could think of was how getting back into full time church work was going to totally change everything about our lives! I'm ashamed to even write that. But, I have been asking the Lord to show me His will and to align mine with His. To give me a passion for other people again - for their relationship with our Lord. I have asked Him to use me in spite of me! I'm so thankful that He is not finished with me. That He still desires to use me - to use my life.
What an awesome God we have! I realized today that He has answered this prayer. Try as I might, I cannot make those kind of heart changes. Only God can. Deep down we are all self focused and if it were not for Christ and His love for us, we would all stay there.
I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled I am about Ocean Park. I have watched my kids become excited about the change. I have felt the change deep within my heart. I can only explain it as a "God thing." God is confirming His call in my life as a Pastor's wife and I am so ready to serve Him - wholeheartedly! God has changed my heart! He has already begun to give me a love for the people at Ocean Park. I am ready to pack up and move across town! I'm not even concerned about my house, the kids, school, etc. as I know that God already has a plan and has it all under control.
The current Pastor's wife at Ocean Park has been the church secretary for the last 31 years and she wants to step down when her husband retires. They have offered the position to me. Russ and I talked and prayed about it. I was concerned at first because I have always been very thankful to be at home with my kids. After some research, we found out that it only requires about 15 hours a week at the church and I can take the kids with me easily. I can set my own schedule each day. Russ looked at me and said, "I think I would really like for you to do this. I'd rather work with you than anyone else - we make a great team." What a neat opportunity for me to not only serve the people at Ocean Park - but to serve my husband.
For the first time in a long time, I can look to our future and say, "I'm ready, Lord - bring on the change. Do whatever you need to do to glorify yourself and use me to enhance your reputation!" And you know, God always "Provides, exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) I get to serve Him at the beach!!!! It doesn't get any better than that! It feels so good to be here again! Our God is truly a patient and awesome God!
I've known for a while that I have been off. I have been so self focused lately. If you read my past posts about Orlando and such, you will remember how I struggled through those times. Again - reminding myself that "struggling" is nothing less than being disobedient to what God has called you to do. I have pouted about a possible move, having to give up my house, my schedule, my life. What selfishness! What complacency! All that I have is temporary anyway - why hold so tight to it?
As Russell felt the call on his heart to preach the Word of God, all I could think of was how getting back into full time church work was going to totally change everything about our lives! I'm ashamed to even write that. But, I have been asking the Lord to show me His will and to align mine with His. To give me a passion for other people again - for their relationship with our Lord. I have asked Him to use me in spite of me! I'm so thankful that He is not finished with me. That He still desires to use me - to use my life.
What an awesome God we have! I realized today that He has answered this prayer. Try as I might, I cannot make those kind of heart changes. Only God can. Deep down we are all self focused and if it were not for Christ and His love for us, we would all stay there.
I cannot even begin to tell you how thrilled I am about Ocean Park. I have watched my kids become excited about the change. I have felt the change deep within my heart. I can only explain it as a "God thing." God is confirming His call in my life as a Pastor's wife and I am so ready to serve Him - wholeheartedly! God has changed my heart! He has already begun to give me a love for the people at Ocean Park. I am ready to pack up and move across town! I'm not even concerned about my house, the kids, school, etc. as I know that God already has a plan and has it all under control.
The current Pastor's wife at Ocean Park has been the church secretary for the last 31 years and she wants to step down when her husband retires. They have offered the position to me. Russ and I talked and prayed about it. I was concerned at first because I have always been very thankful to be at home with my kids. After some research, we found out that it only requires about 15 hours a week at the church and I can take the kids with me easily. I can set my own schedule each day. Russ looked at me and said, "I think I would really like for you to do this. I'd rather work with you than anyone else - we make a great team." What a neat opportunity for me to not only serve the people at Ocean Park - but to serve my husband.
For the first time in a long time, I can look to our future and say, "I'm ready, Lord - bring on the change. Do whatever you need to do to glorify yourself and use me to enhance your reputation!" And you know, God always "Provides, exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) I get to serve Him at the beach!!!! It doesn't get any better than that! It feels so good to be here again! Our God is truly a patient and awesome God!
2 comments:
As we have said every night during revival, " and the people of God said Amen"
Sounds like you have had a revival in your heart. God has done a great work in you both and it sounds like that work is spilling over to the children.
God is working on me--again--renewing the love I have for Him every day.
Diane
You are right,Cami,we do serve a very and patient God. Praise Him that His ways and thoughts are high above ours! There's nothing when He turns that heat up in your heart and turns a small flame into an incredible blaze. He is preparing you for your calling as a Pastor's Wife. Praise God!!! I will keep you all in prayer and continue to praise Him for all He is doing!! Love In Christ, Jackie Drury
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