I got an email from God this morning.
This past year has been crazy for us! 1 year ago, I was on my second month alone in Baltimore, with 3 kids (one of whom was a 13 year old exchange student from Spain), getting ready to drive 22 hours w/ the kids solo to spend 5 months in Florida, in a place I'd never been, living in an apartment that was not ours.
Together, our family returned to Baltimore in late January, only to find out that my husband was leaving, once again, for 2 1/2 months in Alabama. This time, the girls and I decided to stay put, and try to pretend we had some type of "normal routine". He returned in late May and we were ready, once again, for a regular routine....
Then, two weeks later we received word that we are moving to St. Louis, but don't have a set departure date yet.
When I married my husband, I knew he was going to be in the military and that meant moving a lot. When we had children, I understood that I would be doing a lot of "single parenting". When we settle some place, I know that it's not forever, however, this past year has been a lot even in terms of a military family expectations.
I am a very OCD, plan ahead, know the next step kinda person. So, as you can imagine, every time we move is a challenge for me. Especially this time b/c we are moving some place that neither of us would've chosen ourselves.
I have been in full speed ahead, checking the internet for houses, looking at school ratings, and feverishly scribbling on my calendar the plans for various departure dates, since we've not "officially" gotten a move date yet.
I had no intention of blogging today, in fact, I got online to do some more unsettling, inconclusive house/area/base research. When I opened my computer, I had an email from God, or rather, a "verse a day" site-A site I never signed up on....
Today's verse:
Philippians 4:6-7 New International Version (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So I am done, I am done looking at houses, worrying about schools, and feverishly staring at my calendar hoping something will make my plans concrete. As if planning could give me the peace that I crave: The peace that I can only know from God. I am going to let The God of Universe take care of it. I am not going to allow Satan to steal that peace and throw me into chaos, doubt, and uncertainty. I don't need to know where we're going, when we're going, or how it's all going to work out. I only need to know that God has amazing plans for me.
So here is my prayer today: "Thanks, God, for the email. Sorry I've been worried, unsettled, and doubting of all the plans you clearly have already taken care of! Guard my heart, and give me Your peace!"
I challenge you to also pray that prayer of peace! Whatever your challenge of today is, give it to God, ask for His grace, and rest in His peace.
