DS,
When the Lord delivered me my primary goal was serving Him. I didn’t know where it would lead or what I’d need to relinquish. But I knew I’d follow Him for life. That was a done deal.
The first things I attended to were my Isaacs. I laid them down and asked Him to redeem them if He desired. That meant exploring the possibility of joining the clergy and attending a monastic weekend to discern my vocation. If He agreed, I would bid adieu to marriage and family.
I enrolled in a two-year program to determine if I was called to become a missionary. Although that wasn’t the case I learned a lot in the process and developed the tools I’d need to do the same down the road.
It meant forsaking home to explore the possibility of moving elsewhere. I got on a plane and went to see an apartment. I didn’t have any family in the area. The only ones I knew were the nuns I’d visited earlier.
I relinquished friendships which might become stumbling blocks and waited for Him to bring others in their place. I gave up my career and intended direction and followed the one He assigned.
I attended two inductive bible studies weekly and a wonderful class on ministering to Muslims. I had opportunities to teach and serve in minor capacities. And I enjoyed prayer meetings.
My days were spent in prayer and service. Lots of intercession for the local body, ministries I supported, friends and loved ones, and the persecuted church. I spent so much time praying I didn’t have the energy to pray for myself. We developed a new system in response.
Every day I interceded for the lost, my daughter and future spouse without fail. I prayed through the bulletin and for all the ministries in the church. I lifted up family and church members in the bible studies. We had a weekly prayer list for each group.
I began sending prayer requests for myself and another to the church and ministries I supported. I used the Voice of the Martyrs app to address the needs of persecuted believers. And other issues as they arose.
The new practice began with silence. I addressed the Lord and asked what was on His heart and waited for instruction. I recorded everything and prayed through the list every day. Sometimes I was given a prayer to lift up for a specific time (7, 14, or 30 days was common). I was fasting too. One to three times per week.
I’m sharing this to demonstrate my mindset and behavior. I was deeply concerned about getting on God’s page. While I waited for the desires of my heart to come to fruition I was busy assisting others. I do the same thing here for similar reasons.
This is what He’s done:
- Healed me from two incurable diseases (Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia). There is no medical evidence of its existence within my body. I have spoken of my healing in the past on the site.
- Provided a ten-year business blueprint with details on product development and investments.
- Restored two broken connections.
- Brought me home from the workplace permanently.
- Brought my daughter home from the workplace one year before the planned exodus.
- Provided me with Christian business and life coaches for personal and professional growth.
- Provided a loving community of Christian women and entrepreneurs whose support and encouragement are priceless.
- Led me to a sewing and woodworking instructor who provided the assistance I required.
- Enabled me to enroll in professional training that was previously unavailable to due locale. The program is online now.
- Met my love of French and English culture by sending me overseas for school (next year).
- Gave me the resources and acumen to accomplish my purpose.
- Surprises me with financial and minor blessings like books, healthy food, and amazing deals on the things I want.
- Anointed my creative skills to enable me to excel at my work. I didn’t have them before.
Most importantly, He taught me how to love and serve the greatest and least I encounter. I’ve learned what beauty looks like inside out.
He helped me to forgive and embrace those who’ve wronged and hurt me without holding a grudge against them. I pray for them often.
And He’s prepared for me for marriage. It’s been a long road of learning to accept His choice above my own. Now I see where I erred and what I missed. The delight and wonder of experiencing another through God’s lenses is second to none.
That’s my story. I can’t list everything. But I wanted to share a bit. He’s made me a better person all around.
The best advice I can give is to follow God. Lay everything on the altar and allow Him to create the abundant life He has in mind. Not the one you’re imagining. Because its light years away from His idea. You aren’t thinking big enough!
“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9
Yours in His Service,
~Bella
