2012 began with sacrifice.
And I don’t know if you’ve have ever had to give up something you love but it’s not easy. When Scott and I were dating I had this sweater duster that I absolutely adored. I guess after seeing me in it morning, noon, and night he informed me that when we got married that duster would have to go. (Sad face)
 |
| Rollerskating |
 |
| At the beach |
 |
| In New Orleans |
 |
| Spoken word event with my bestie |
Seeing how serious he was I wore that mug out leading up to the day we got married and sure enough the time came for me to part ways with it.
Some “stuff” we hold on to represents a time/season in our life that speaks to who we were. We find comfort in keeping these things close by because they make us feel, well, comfortable. But there will come a time when God will ask you part ways with something much bigger than a duster and you can choose to swallow your pain and be obedient or you can choose to rebel. I love my Daddy too much to rebel against His requests and no one ever said that submission and obedience were the easiest task to complete. This year we let go of so much (I would say lost but that would indicate regret) to find ourselves in a place of simplistic living very painful to endure.
But in this winter season of our life I learned some key lessons about walking with God:
But in this winter season of our life I learned some key lessons about walking with God:
Your plans REALLY aren’t your plans. (No really they don’t belong to you)
Your steps are just that. Steps.
It won’t always be cold, it won’t always be dry, you won’t be dying all the time; you will eventually shed the weight.
Seasons change.
Seasons change. (Don’t miss the repetition)
Endurance is bigger than the letters that create its meaning. (Hebrews 10:36)
Your bank account doesn’t indicate God’s abilities.
How you respond indicates your level of maturity. (Think Job and Joseph)
In those moments when you are laughing to avoid crying or crying to confirm you’re still alive and you begin to wonder if you are in the twilight zone, that’s called growth (I know. If you would’ve found me about 6 months ago I would’ve said something else) But God is pushing you, stretching you, pulling you into a place; a space that will benefit you on the next stage of this journey. But He has to get you ready. He has to make sure you can endure what’s to come and that you will know to seek Him at all times.
I started 2012 off ranting and crying and asking God why, what’s up, sitting in quiet corners weeping, battling so many different elements from loneliness, confusion, fear, anger… anger.
But I kept having dreams about snow.
I was walking in snow.
Playing in snow.
Running from people in the snow.
Surprised at the snow.
Excited about the snow.
Aware of the snow.
Confused about the snow.
Mad about the snow.
Taking a test while it was snowing?!
Then it hit me. Yes I’m in a season of winter and things are being “killed.” But that covering never left. In my spiritual dream book snow represents the covering of the Holy Spirit. This is all a part of the plan; a test but we won’t be here forever. And the sooner my ATTITUDE changed about my ATMOSPHERE the sooner I would be able to see the beauty in who God was trying to pull out of me.
She’s peaceful. Happier. Less worldly stuff that she thought she needed and more of Him within her. She's not as guarded; open to the shift of the Holy Spirit. A new woman with a new perspective on what being a follower really means and I imagine this was who God wanted more of. Closing out the year reflecting on how AWESOME and Mighty and Amazing and Worthy God has been this year despite how difficult it was to get to this place of quiet comfort is a testimony in itself and I can’t wait to share more in detail at a later date!
Until then here’s an excerpt from my next project: “I don’t know where God has marked for my feet to be planted but I made a vow to never become so rigid and fearful and worrisome and sad in my spiritual walk that I question His love for me, my existence, my purpose, my God. He’s Daddy for a reason. Never leaving nor forsaking me. Never doing anything on a whim or haphazardly. [I] am where [I] am because God has [me] [here] and He wants to make [my] feet sure for the journey He has prepared for [me]. In that place of surrender, that leap of faith, that quiet stillness outside of the boat God shows us how to walk in confidence. In my submission I fall in love with Phil 3:12-14 all over again and I press on. What is God calling you to do? Where is He trying to lead you? What path are you taking? Are you taking the path that your flesh feels like you should be taking or are you being still, being patient, being obedient in your season of waiting on His leadership? What changes do you need to make to line your steps up with the steps the Father is asking you to make? Don’t allow the enemy any room in this time that God is calling you to run into your purpose. Don’t give the devil any space, any time, any opportunity through your frustration to creep through a door you thought you had closed but you were so afraid you left it cracked. Learn to be faithful in what God has said he would do. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Keep pushing. Keep pressing. Even when you aren’t moving you’re being moved. In your wintry season, God is trying to kill some things in your flesh because some stuff you can NOT take into this next season He has constructed for you. Everything happens for a reason. God is not caught off guard but you can’t keep listening to the same people, watching the same stuff, going to the same places because He’s trying to call you to higher places. You have a PURPOSE. YOU have a purpose. You HAVE a purpose. You have A purpose.”
2012 verses:
(What God spoke to me in this season)
II Chronicles 30:8 (Planning to rebel?)
Psalm 92: 12-15 (Are you planted?)
Proverbs 19:21 (Planning something?)
1 Peter 1: 6-7 (Attitude vs atmosphere )
Romans 8:28-31 (His purpose not yours)
1 Chronicles 29:11 (Because God is in control)
My dear friends I thank you for your love and support this year! Every phone call, text, prayer, card, words of encouragement have gone further than you probably intended or imagined. May God forever bless and keep you. I wish you all a Happy New Year and I pray 2013 will be a season of mind-boggling growth for you and yours.
Rita Springer-All I need
All my love,
Caneeka
#nomakeup
