I Didn’t Know, But God Did…

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

I have seen God work. 

I can go back and see so many times where God was working in my life.  Some were answered prayers, some were unanswered prayers. I know it all was purposeful. I truly believe it all was for my good, because I have seen it! I have seen Him work.

There have also been times when I have forced open the closed doors in my path.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to see His plan because I knew what I thought I wanted and what was best.  There have been times He was leading me in one direction and I tried my own way.  I gave excuses; I had reasons.  And, every single time, He set me straight.  

Sometimes it took a while. 

Sometimes it was painful. 

Sometimes I couldn’t understand.

Sometimes I felt conflicted, frustrated, disappointed. 

Sometimes I wondered if He was actually working…because MY plan was not working out.

Even if I said I knew it was God’s plan, trusting Him was hard.

I didn’t know it then, but now I can see how He was working.  Always working.

Because I have seen Him work, it is easier to put my faith in Him.  I believe in His truth, His word, His purpose for my life. I ask for direction, for discernment to be able know when He is speaking to me.  I want to be obedient; I want to be bold in following Him. 

So, when I felt God nudging me to retire, I did.  I thought He had pointed me toward where I had landed.  And, I do believe I was right where I was supposed to be at the time, but it was step. I was constantly being reminded to trust Him. I was reminded of how Peter stepped out of the boat (Matthew 14:29-310) and what happened when he began to doubt. So, I decided to step out and put my faith in Him.

And, I retired without a plan. While I am enjoying the time to be still and rest and focus on Him, I’m still not sure about a lot of things.

But just like so many times in my life, I didn’t know, but God did. 

I didn’t know that as I was confirming my decision to stop working, I would be welcoming a precious grandchild before the end of the year. But God did.

I didn’t know I was going to be busy getting baby things together and hosting a beautiful baby shower.  But God did.

I didn’t know I was going to need to have the freedom to travel to Texas without worrying about work.  But God did.

I didn’t know that my heart would burst with love for this little boy who has yet to be born and these months would be a joy as I watch my daughter prepare to become a mom. But God did.

I didn’t know this chapter of my life would be filled with so many blessings. But God did.

There are so many other places I can see Him working in my life as I seek Him each and every day! I’m learning to align my heart with His will and surrender to Him. That doesn’t mean I am getting everything I pray for; it means I am trusting Him and believing He is giving me everything that is a part of His plan for my life. Not my plan. Not my will. But His be done.

I encourage you to think about the times God’s plan surpassed yours.  The times He answered your prayers or maybe the times the unanswered prayers protected you. The times you could see Him working for your good, to work for His purpose, to work for His glory!  I pray that those times can give you confidence in leaning on Him and all He can do for you.  That you can trust Him because you know He has always been faithful and will continue to be! 

Our hope for all things is in Him…

Because there are lots of things we don’t know, but God does….