When God Gives

"...The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
-Job 1:21

Sometimes it is good to reflect, good to let the present pass by unnoticed. I had a few of those moments recently...Opening my book of recorded days passed by (read: JOURNAL), I was left in awe of just how many prayers God has answered over the past year. I had surrendered dreams to Him, and as of late I have seen Him give them generously right back to me.

- He asked me to give Him my ministry of worship, which I held onto like my first name. I tearfully handed it over, even though I did not understand.

- He asked me to give Him my friendships, one of which is the closest I've ever had. I numbed my heart and gave it over.

- He asked me to give up my plans for marriage, that of ideals and of my controlling the situation. In a gradual long process, I slowly let go and prayed, "God, I just want You..."

Look down the road a matter of months, and God started the rebuilding.

- He sent me to a new church, and asked me to make it my new home. My heart was filled with many fears, doubts, and joys as I faced this leap of faith, but He is faithful, and I hear Him speak regularly through the body there, and it has truly become my "home" church.

- He sent me many friends through my new church family, dear friends who love the Lord and serving Him with a passion. Through them God has taught me the importance of connection and being of one accord. Few things are so sweet as the fellowship with the saints.

- He sent me many promises about my future husband, that of which I cannot yet claim to the whole blogging world. But I can say that the things He has revealed have filled me with joy, because I know His promises are true, and I know it's standing at my door. I cannot wait to watch His plan unravel! Knowing God is setting you up with Someone is a wonderful experience, I must say.

Sometimes God asks us to give, but He does not "give as the world gives"...Know that whenever God asks you to sacrifice something on the alter, He will always give you something back--that is, a revelation of Himself. Sometimes He just wants us to give those dreams back to Him.