This picture caught my eye, because it says what no one knows is being said in my head. I've been in this place before, several times in fact. When my mind hangs between the I can't and I can. Each time this place has driven me to a low , a depressed place. Oh, it's not deep depression, but just enough to make me sad and weak.
When I am at my lowest, confounded by the obstacle, I have discovered an astonishing truth. God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him. Our weakness, in fact, makes room for His power.
I would bet you have been there, confused, troubled, wondering when would it all stop, and the peace return.
Before you start thinking, wow, Betty must be going through some awful trial. Not really, and like I said I have been in this place emotionally before.
We have made a major move lately from southern California where we have lived since 2012 to northern Minnesota. We had gotten comfortable in Ca., which is something I thought I would never say. And, I say this every time this happens, my husband and I should be pro's at this moving business! We have sure experience our share of it, leaving the comfortable for the unknown. Yet every time we both fall into the same pit and our weakness shows up. Which is why I am grateful God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist us when we call out for help in our struggles. He never says, get over it buttercup, or grow up you wimps.
Rick Warren says this, "real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit. Maturity is produced through relationships and community.
So here we are, living in a new community, looking to build new relationships, find ways to minister and be ministered too.
I have to admit we are both a little weary over it all. Part of me wants to run back to the familiar, to be comfortable once again. And, yes, my husband and I are a little sad at times.
Do we intellectually and spiritually know this too will pass? Yes, yes, yes. But I had to write about it because it's on my heart and it always helps me to put my heart out there for all to see so you can pray. I, we, my husband and I need your prayers. We don't want to waste this time of learning what God has for us during this change.
I'm gonna end this post with a big old shout out to the Lord. BRING ON THE POWER GOD, USE US FOR YOUR GLORY IN THIS NEW PLACE.
Oh my goodness! Reading this is like de ja vu! We've been there SO many times after many years in the ministry and many, many moves to new places, sometimes wondering why on earth did we ever do this? But God.
ReplyDeleteWe can stop right there, But God. When we once said "Here am I, Lord, send me..." we knew we could never look back. There were times I had to remind myself not to be like "Lot's wife." Don't look back! Keep looking forward and trusting the Lord Who brought you here. I will be praying for you in this new place...praying that God will indeed once again show you that "yes, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you..." I am still rather new to your blog, so now I have to go back and read about what you are doing so I know a little more history. But I will be praying all the while! Remember, Jesus is called Emmanuel..."God with us". And when He could no longer be with us in the flesh, He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell within us so we are NEVER alone!! Praise God! Have a blessed day!!
Thank you for the encouraging comment. Ace and I have served in two other countries and now we are Member Care reps for our mission, Ethnos360 in the states.
DeleteI do believe this will be our last major move until the Lord takes us home. We are 73, not ready to retire yet. We travel a lot in our ministry but only in the states. We know this is where we are suppose to be but I think age has caused a few different issue moving brings that we never had when we were younger. God has been so good to us but even with His goodness there is still emotions one must go through, some good, some not so good. Again, thank you for your understanding comment and prayer.
I hear you loud and clear, Betty. Change is so difficult to bear at times, and we think we can't (there's that word) take one more step. Then, God shows up, and we find out we CAN because of His help. I'd have to agree with you that He is attracted to weakness and will always see us through when we surrender to Him. May blessings abound for you and yours in this new place!
ReplyDeleteHe has always brought us through what ever trial, large or small. While we were still in
DeleteCalifornia our car begin to give out and it was going to cost more to fix it then it was worth. Someone, still don't know who gave us a chunk of money toward a newer car, a large SUV that will pull a lightweight RV. It will be a great help in our ministry. OUr daughter and son in law are redoing an old cabin that's on their property so we will have a permanent place to come back to. They believe this is the ministry God has given them, to take care of us and his parents who own a house near bye. God knows our physicals weakness, our mental weakness and even our financial weakness. We have been a little overwhelmed at the goodness He has poured out on us even during our moving struggles. I have walked with Him too long to try to hide my weaknesses from others. Some call it being real, I call it being Jesus. I always think of Him praying in the garden as he faced the cross, a real cross, real pain, in real prayer he prayed for the Father to remove it if it was His will. Him, who could have called the angels to take the nails out of his hands and release Him, yet He didn't, just for us. It's His realness that helps me in my weakness know it will pass. Thank you Martha for your encouragement. You understood what my heart was saying.
Betty,
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be back here again reading your blog. I appreciate your honesty and transparency. I get discouraged sometimes too and big moves are normal triggers for that too. Wow, you are in MN now! I live in Mn too, outside of Minneapolis in a northern suburb. Let me know if you want to meet for coffee to pray and connect somewhere socially distanced and outside. :)
What prompted the move?
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Hi Jennifer, yes we now live in green beautiful land full of lakes all around us. Well, right now we are living in our rv till our place get re-done. They got all the electrical run this past week, the roofing is in so it will be on this coming week, then plumbing, then ...we should be in hopefully the end of Sept. Pray the snow holds off. We live seven miles outside a little town called, Blackduck, 70 miles from the Canada border. It has been a huge change, but our daughter and family are here and they want to be our care givers when we need one and have been after us to move her for a few years. We are 73 , still can go and do our ministry but needed a home. Could not afford California anymore so here we are living in the woods, which I love. I am a country girl but have lived in the city most of married life except when we lived overseas. We sold our house years ago when we went to the mission field. Our daughter and family live in a small mobile home but there is an old building that hunters use to live in during hunting season so they are fixing it up for us. I am exciting to get in it and buying furniture, we are kind of starting from scratch. God keeps blessing us over and over for our kids are paying for it to be remolded. Our old Buick was beginning to have issues and we were looking for something else before we left California. Someone from our church there bought us a wonderful big SUV that will pull a light weight RV for our traveling is this virus ever runs out. I could go on and on about all the blessings but I will save some for when I get to meet you face to face. We will be coming near the Twin Cities because we have missionaries from there. Probably not this year but next year. I will let you know and we will meet up. Blessings my sister in the Lord.
DeleteYour little cottage will be a home soon, and you will once again be comfortable in a new place. May our Lord open new doors for you to bless others with your wisdom and encoragement.
ReplyDeleteYou keep me encouraged Hazel, everytime I see your post on facebook. I love how you have not stopped ministering to people even with the loss of your husband. Right now all our time is being taken up with getting our place ready to live in before the snows flies. We are doing all our meetings with our missionaries through face time or zoom calls or just a phone call. It's different, we love the face to face meetings but thankful for all the social media ways to connect. Blessings on you Hazel.
DeleteOh, Betty...first of all, I applaud your vulnerability and transparency of your heart. I know exactly what you are experiencing. I've been there. At our ages, packing up and moving and starting a new life amongst strangers is such a stressor and an emotional rollercoaster. I've been in NC for almost 2 and a half years now. Living solo it's hard to make new friends. Even active in the church. Only one person, one time has invited me to dinner or to do anything with them and their family. I understand. At least you and Ace are walking this new path in life together. I'm thankful for that for you. You will find your footing. Just make sure you take care of your self in this stressful time of moving AGAIN and starting new AGAIN. God bless you, precious Betty.
ReplyDeleteYes, a big move is easier when you have someone with you. And that makes me sad that only one person has reached out to you. The physical move was terribly hard on me this time, getting older makes a difference. I don't mind living in our rv till our place gets ready at all. It's kind of my safe place, but I can't stay in it all the time. I think we are going to keep it for guest to stay in when they come visit, that's a hint. Our little place they are fixing will be small, one bedroom so the rv will come in handy. My heart cries for you Diane and I applaud your courage that you took up and moved by your self to a new place. You give me courage with every word you write. I keep saying this but I still believe someday we will meet face to face here on this earth. Love you my blog friend and sister in the Lord.
DeleteHi Betty,
ReplyDeleteI just came across this post and I have to say that I can understand everything you have written here. My husband and myself have lived in many places, including Australia three times, Canada and others. We are now considering moving again. I believe that everywhere we have been has been arranged by the Lord, as everyday in our lives is written in His book before even one of them was formed. I have been through many trials and it is true that trials strengthen us. I have never worried about anything much since I have been in the Lord as He showed me long ago 'First seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all else will be added.' I also have a picture of a red rose and the verse 'I will love Thee O lord my strength' on my bedside cabinet, and His strength has been with me when I have been weak. God bless you with all He has for you in Jesus Betty.
This last move really wore me out physically and I was depressed for a few days. It's much better now, I feel more at peace at this step of faith we have taken. I don't worry much anymore either, been through too much, seen Him bring me through things I thought would be impossible so this trial of moving will pass and then another one will come but I love the fact He never leaves me alone in them and I learn much as I go through a trial. blessings to you Brenda.
DeleteHi Betty. Thank you for visiting my blog. That God is attracted to weakness, I have never thought of it quite that way. But you are right. I am sorry you are now in a strange place, but maybe in a place that God want you. I know you are tired of this by now, but that is when god gives us strength. We are Mennonite Deacons living in the Blue Ridge Mountains. And yes, I will pray for you!
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting my site also Ginny. Always good to meet a new blogger and hear what God is doing in their life. I love the Blue Ridge Mountains, so beautiful, how blessed you are. thanks you for the prayers.
DeleteBetty ... thanks for this powerful reminder that 'God is attracted to weakness.'
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful that He finds us there, lifts us up and enables us to move forward even as He still our hearts and minds.
He's got us in the palm of His hand. And there's nowhere else I'd rather be ...
Me either sister, no where like the palm of His hand especially now. It's getting crazy out there and I run to the rock more often to find encouragement. Blessing Linda.
DeleteHi Betty! You stopped by my Tata's Cottage blog and I was having problems with my comments posting. They were hanging in cyberspace. I came to say hi and thank you for visiting. I know we would get along. I LOVE your blog. I also blog at annesphamily.blogspot.com . Not trying to advertise but wanted to share with you because this blog is my first one and I have not run into any troubles there. I say I would be so lost without Jesus. I am so grateful to have the bible and friends and loved ones who love the Lord. So if you get a chance to stop by either place I am working on those comments at the second blog. I am not very good at all the tech stuff so I pray about it lots! It is so very nice to meet you and I will be searching other posts at your place. Thank you HUGS xo
ReplyDeleteYes, I will visit both of your sites. Thanks you for the encouragement. MY life has been so busy in the last couple weeks I have not been writing much. And by the way, I am not very good at all this tech stuff either. Blessings.
DeleteAwe, Betty, this post just brought tears to my eyes! This is a strange place for any of us to be in these days, along with normal life issues as these! I can do relate! And then in the middle of the tears, you had to make me laugh! I just love your transparency! Being real is very much “in style!” Love you my friend! And just in case you didn’t get the message, “You really really CAN! 🙌🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼💜🤗
ReplyDeleteYes, I follow you on WordPress. I have stopped trying to figure out the, "why's" in this tech world. I am thankful I can even understand a little bit of it. Thankful you came to my blogspot site. I do both sites. Still find it more comfortable to blog here, still working on trying to understand WordPress. Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteI’m not sure why this posted from my old account on Blogger. I just clicked on your name on one of my old posts on WordPress and it took me here... Tjis is Renee at Heart Tokens. :)
ReplyDeleteINSTEAD OF GETTING A LOAN,, I GOT SOMETHING NEW
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