Sure-footed FAITH

 “When a person maintains their Faith; success is sure to follow” Marilyn Stewart                

Don’t laugh, but early Thursday morning these are the words I heard running through my mind.  It wasn’t a dream or a vision; it was a voice. It has been a while since I have received a word of wisdom dropped deep within my spirit.

Yes, I do believe God still speaks today.

If God can use a donkey to speak to his servant (Number 22:23-30), I believe he can use whatever medium he wants to speak to his children.

Deliberately, I began to repeat what I had heard so I would not forget and be able to record it in my journal.

The last word I recall being dropped in my spirit.  I was in a whirlpool of change; surrounded with negativity.  Negativity can be like a cancer to your soul.  It can suck the very breath out of you.  The words I heard pulled me out of a cesspool of negativity.

“Situations can change; don’t let your situation’s change you” Marilyn Stewart

Yes, my situation did change and I walked away a better person I believe.

So why now…..

I know according to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seem. I believe God knows that I want to continue to live a life of “Purpose” it is evident that there are some things I am “hoping” will come to pass in my life.  Yet, as I age and I begin to see more time behind me; that natural notion that time is slipping away haunts me.

Isn’t it wonderful that God will take time out of his busy schedule to encourage us in our daily walk?

Let me be clear, I didn’t hear I was going to “definitely” be successful in ALL that I do but I did hear that I could be sure- footed about my steps.  The genus of a true Mountain Goat; he stands at high elevation and he is a sure-footed climber often resting on rocky cliffs that predators cannot reach

Steady, Not subject to change or variation, not liable to error in judgment or action, proceeding surely.  I began to break down each word:

·         Maintain – to continue

·          Sure – confident

·         Success – favorable or desired outcome

I’ve learned in times past that it is not what is dropped in my spirit but the journey that I must take in understanding what God is speaking to me.

"It is the glory of GOD to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter"  Proverbs 25:2

After much meditation……..I concluded that…..When a person continues in their walk of faith, they can be confident, sure-footed, that success will follow” Marilyn Stewart

He Is The Conductor

Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thought, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD”.

I am in a place in my life where I often find myself asking the Lord the question, WHY or looking at a situation and saying, LORD, I don’t understand. 

The questions on my heart are not just about my life but things that I have observed as I live.

There are times when I believe I see and understand what God is doing and then there are times when I am not sure; a lot of it centered around change.  As various doors open and close, I am inflated and deflated.

Inflated, yes, this is finally coming to past; Deflated, this is not where I thought this door was taking me.

I see the path that I believe I should take BUT……….things or not quite falling into place.

In fact, Life often leaves me with this feeling as if I am in this holding pattern; this time of flux.

Well, this morning I had the privilege of sharing some time with a dear friend.  I call conversations such as this one a divine connection orchestrated by GOD.  It is a reminder to me that GOD is the conductor and I need to follow his leading.

We (my friend and I) walked hand in hand (not literally) as she reminded me how God had worked in her life as well as mine.  I can hear her now; Marilyn, let me tell you how good GOD is.  In our messes, choices, he has given us the VICTORY even when we are reluctant to follow his leading.  We strolled down Employment Lane, Commitment Avenue and Maturity Court. 

She went on to share this story that about a dear friend of hers.  How she moved to Texas to change her life; her husband had passed away.  She found a job within her field and took care of her children and worked on her home.  Unknowingly, the investment bank that held the mortgage to her house was having financial issues and she began to receive foreclosure notices.  Of course, she was assured by the investment company that she was not at risk.  Then she received the notice to vacate the residence.  She began to pray for direction and God spoke to her heart and said, I gave you a home.  This home however was not in Texas it was in Tennessee; the place she had left.  The place she decided was not the place for her.  However, she made the decision to follow God’s leading; selling everything and headed back to Tennessee. Doors began to open; she was hired back at her old job.  My friend began to explain how her friend was a walker; she could walk for miles.  Will by the grace of God you ran into a young man (everyone is a young man to me) who use to see her walking through the neighborhood. I bet you know how this story ended….yes, they are married.  The pieces just fall into place.

I asked the question, “What if she did not follow God’s leading”?  How many times have I been to the altar (there should have been a spot there with my name on it) seeking his guidance but not liking the answer?  I chuckle now at my reluctance.

My reluctance in accepting a job position that later would became my life line to employment.

I was reminded today that the successes I have seen in life were due to God leading me.  When I wanted to go left he was telling me to go right. 

My beautiful daughter….God’s Plan, my home…God’s Plan and the Ministry he has called me to…….God’s Plan.

Leading me into unfamiliar territory……positioning me to experience things I would not choose for myself.

From one day to the next we don’t know if we are living through a recession or depression.   Whether our children will meet the education standards; not to mention our moral values are not what they once were.  

Nonetheless, we can all rest assured, knowing God’s thoughts and ways are nothing like ours.

Wisdom Has No Age Limit

Today, I thought it only appropriate to share something that is near and dear to my heart…..a story about my daughter since this is our Mother, Father & Daughter….Table Topic Luncheon.

There are a number of things that stood out in my mind but only one thing that was dropped in my SPIRIT.   Don’t worry she has heard me tell this story a number of times because I wanted her to know that she has been a living example for me; just as much as I’ve been a living example for her.

I am going to take you back about eighteen years. It was late one Saturday evening and I was sitting in my den.  When this little straggle girl turned the corner and asked me this question.  Mom, why don’t you go to church like you use to?  Somewhere along the way between work, family and school I had put on the back burner, what was most important to me; my spiritual life.

Of course, it struck a cord in my heart and I said, Keturah, you want to go to church.  Don’t get me wrong; I don’t believe the church building holds any magical powers; other than, people that love God.  (Attending church does not make us righteous; but, righteous people do not forsake the assembling of themselves together.

I looked into her eyes and told her we will go tomorrow.  I was good to my word and we rose early the next day headed to the Sunday morning service.   

This is where my lesson began.  When I think about that day it is not how everyone welcomed us back, nor the message that was delivered that Sunday morning. 

But the little girl sitting next to me asking me “Mom, can I go up”.  See my Pastor asked did anyone have something to share.  I could sense the urgency in her little voice and I was not one to stop her for sharing what was on her heart.  With her hands by her side and tears steaming down her face she said, My mom hasn’t been to church in a long time.  I just wanted to say I am glad she is back.  I don’t have to tell you I was an emotional mess and so was everyone around me.

From that point forward, I made a commitment to myself never to allow life’s struggles to interfere with my convictions.  At this point, I was going to say I never looked back but that is not true. I often looked back as a reminder.

I encourage you today.  Whatever struggles you are facing; I challenge you to be true to your convictions.  Whether it is your family, your business, or like me your spiritual growth….you chose.

One last comment I want to leave with you….

Mothers, Fathers and Daughters,  we can learn from each other……remember…..wisdom does not have a age limit.