We talk a lot about we want...maybe even expect out of life, relationships, etc., but what do you think God may have planned for your life? Has He talked with you about it? Have you talked with Him about it?
What surprises has God placed in your life in this area? Roads less traveled? Twists and turns? Ministries? Opportunities? Jobs? People? Education? Relationships? Hardships?
Have you seen Him bring good to your life (or someone else's) from these things?
Have there been times when His plan didn't line up with your own? How did you handle it?
Have you ever aimed too low and had God take you higher?
Oh, you are So on it....
I was mighty bull headed going into the relationship that lead to me being the proud father to two kids and the relieved ex husband to their mom. I'd not cared two hoots about God's will on that when I got married and the outcome was Obvious. Along the way we had our troubles and our struggles, and I had my share as my own. I got right with God, though, and she refused. I thought that MY getting right with God would be enough to salvage the relationship and BEGGED God to fix it on MY terms. I fought hard for two years to get MY marriage the way I thought it should be.
Then, in complete humility and utter brokenness, physically and metaphorically on my knees in supplication I cried out to God placing my family in HIS hands, begging HIM to do for us what HE knew best. I was just beginning to see how her choices were affecting the children, and I knew that change needed to happen. I couldn't figure out how to get things back to un-broken when fighting to do it MY way. I Finally gave in and surrendered in whole to God.
I prayed like this DAILY, if not more often, for two solid weeks. After a fortnight, She Left. I was in shock. This is how God answered my prayer? This is what is best for my children?
Yes. Yes I believe it is Exactly what God knew to be best for my kids. I grew to see just how adversely they were affected by their mother's issues.
God Hates Divorce. So do I. But through that fire I have walked with Him holding my hand and guiding me all the way. Here I am on the other side, raising children who are Now reasonably well adjusted, excelling in school, and catching up socially. They are now healthy and well nourished, catching up on their growth charts to what is expected for their age, and are clean and well dressed very nearly all the time. (though we make time to have fun getting dirty - like digging in the yard for the sole purpose of playing in the dirt kind of thing) They now have nearly all of their school work in on time, they now participate in extracurricular activities, and they are at church 3x's a week...except when they go visit their mom on a weekend.
As the divorce was wrapping up, I talked with God - Not just prayed to Him, but Had conversation, as moved by the Holy Ghost - about the possibility of me staying single forever. I put that in God's hands, too. I Gave God the reigns and told Him to drive...but we talked about IF I was to ever not Stay single. I worked through a list of traits that WE agreed would be right for me, and my children. In short, I spoke with the factory and came up with a build structure for what the future Mrs. Charcoal might be, if there was to be such a person. Once it was firmly established what such a woman would be like, I just left it in God's hands. God and I were in agreement that I could stay single and I told God that I only wanted to meet this person when and if I were ready. Not my will but thine. And then I stopped thinking about it, at peace that it was all in God's hands. I went about my life as though I would not be getting remarried or even date. I sometimes sought out friendships, and sometimes was very misunderstood in that. I withdrew some. I focused on becoming a better me and I focused on my family and my church family.
I let slip from my mind the conversation with God about all of this...except that I kept up with my side of staying single and not seeking out anyone. I was very much not looking for a date.
Then God put her in my life. For the past month, I have been ever so blessed to be keeping the company of exactly who I asked God for. I foolishly get surprised that she is so very much spot on the woman I had discussed with The Lord, and even find myself dumbfounded at the ways in which she is more than what I asked for. And with perspective, I can see how Everything in my life has lined up for This moment in my life. I am incapable of believing that this is anything other than God doing a great job of being able to take the mess of my life and plan it for His glory.
I am a blessed man.
Praise and Honor and Glory to the Name of the Lord God Most High.
May my life from this point forward be naught but honoring Him and living out His blessings that others may see just how good our God is. May I continue to be blessed for His sake, that others may be lead to Him by what He has done in my life. I pray this not for my benefit, but for the benefit of God's kingdom, God's plan, and God's children. May His will be done.
Ahmen.
