When the story ends differently

I was reading back through the past few months of what’s been happening. I was reminded of a story when I was reading about my trip down to Isle of Palms for Ally and Aaron’s wedding. I had been struggling a little bit over the guy who I went to high school with who had fallen off the face of the earth after 2 dates. I had been praying about the disappointment and praying about the future. I had been on the Daniel Fast up until 11:30 Saturday morning when the women’s conference ended. I was CRAVING a burger. I don’t typically eat hamburgers. I will usually opt for a healthier choice. That Saturday morning a burger and fries and Dr. Pepper were all I could think about. As I was driving down the road I was planning exactly where I would stop and what it was going to taste like and I just knew it was going to be amazing.

I stopped myself and realized that there was more to this then just me HAVING to have a burger. So I prayed. God asked me, why don’t you just stop and get something now if you’re so hungry? I replied because I REALLY want a burger and if I stop for something else I’m not going to be able to enjoy the burger. So then God pointed out that I was willing to wait for what I really wanted when it came to food so was I also willing to wait for His best for my life when it came to dating. I immediately answered that I want your best, always. As soon as the conversation happened the song “Good Good Father” came on the radio and it was such confirmation to me of what happened. The funny part to the story is this happened at 11:30 and it was another hour before I was actually able to find a Wendy’s to stop at and end my fast.

Interestingly a few weeks later I had another guy come into my life for a season. I thought I knew how the story would go. I thought I knew how it was going to work out and I was so excited! Once again I felt hope! Once again I felt excited! I committed everything to the Lord and trusted that He had the details. God totally had every detail! He is amazing and He is faithful. The story didn’t happen the way that I thought it would. I know that God has me exactly where I’m supposed to be. He has intricately woven me into the lives of friends and family and church and I am thankful that I so often see Him move! The knowledge that God is in control and He knows the story He is writing allows me to continue moving forward however and wherever He calls me and wherever He leads.

I knew when I left D that my life pre-marriage had been a train wreck. I promised nothing after my marriage would look like my life before it. I have known since I left that my life is not my own and that wherever God calls me I will go. I look at the details of how God brought me to the new job, has brought people into my life, and allows me to be a part of sharing His love with others.

I have learned how to go deeper into the Word. I have learned how to praise through the storms. I have learned how to keep focus in the good times, which is sometimes actually more difficult for me then when the storms are raging. When things are good it’s easy for me to be complacent. I am learning how to keep my focus all the time.

I’ve said this so many times but I continue to write it because I have to remember. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future.