Going Somewhere?

My family and I have been traveling a ton lately and love to use the super fun road application, Waze! It is updated in real time and warns you of upcoming traffic, hazards, red light cameras and even police officers.  It also has a friendly interface ... like an updated PacMan game.

Yesterday, we were heading south on the Florida Turnpike from Disney, the application took us down one road, made us flip a U-turn and head back in the opposite direction for a mile or two, because there was an entrance to the turnpike at a specific exit.  A little while later into the trip, it suddenly rebooted and changed our course because it found another route that was a few minutes faster.  It is super smart technology, updated constantly by other Wazers in the area.

As I listened for what the friendly voice was telling me to do next, step by step, I thought of my relationship with God.  I am ALWAYS asking for direction.  "What should I do about this?" or "Do You want me to walk in that seemingly open door?"  Sometimes He lets me see the whole picture and how long it will take to get there, and sometimes it is just one command at time.  Sometimes it can be a long stretch before I hear a command. I can even be on a direct course and then suddenly have my course adjusted!

I frequently question commands. It is my way of processing the new information.  I desire to know the whole plan, step by step and can get anxious when it changes or is unfamiliar.  Voices go through my head "I thought we were going to do such and such and now You are sending us there?" or "This doesn't look like what I thought it should?"

LET GO... NO AGENDA!

Eventually the LORD brings me to that place of sweet surrender.  He reminds me that I chose to give Him my whole life,  every part of it a bond servant to Him.  If He steps in and changes my course or gives me directions I don't understand, it is because He knows what lies ahead in the road. He even knows what WILL lie ahead in the road...He has a path laid out for me and I need to trust and not grow anxious double checking/questioning His direction.  Whatever He asks of me, pales in comparison to what He did for me...He is trustworthy!

Is there an area in your life that you are finding difficult to trust Him completely? Go back to the cross.  What He did there PROVES both that He can be trusted and He is worthy! 

Out of My Control

The Lord himself goes before you 

and will be with you; 

he will never leave you 

nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged.

 - Deuteronomy 31:8

My due date was this past Wednesday and it is no surprise that I am late, once again, with delivering my little one. The last two deliveries were late as well and definitely taught me a profound yet simple concept....it's out of my control. I know that the Lord is sovereign and has my days numbered. He knows the hairs on my head and the fears of my heart (being induced again with a crazy little drug they call PITOCIN :) 

But how and when I go into labor is in His hands and I must simply trust in that truth alone.

So many times I try to help the Lord out and guide Him in where I should be (as if He needs help) and struggle when things are out of my control. But that is also the sweetest spot to get comfy in. Why? Because it allows me the freedom to relax, let go, trust, seek, learn, grow, and glean from not knowing it all ...and being ok with that simple fact. Looking, with excitement, on how it will go down, as I continue to pray for my delivery.

Tons of friends have asked questions about when or how I think I will go into labor but the honest truth is there is only ONE who knows the time and day I will deliver this newest Seawell baby...and that's the Lord. 

Even as I got prepared tonight to enter this blog, I had a few contractions and mentioned it to my husband. Nothing consistant or too crazy but there were a few. We pondered the fact that my midwife is out of town for the weekend and the possibility that someone else may deliver the baby if we go into labor. But we again came back to the truth that HE is sovereign and we will trust HE has someone wonderful to help us in that process and resting in that...if and when that is the case :)

Trust in His sovereign plan even when you don't see the full picture.

Pray that Christ allows you to enjoy the journey He has you on even when it's out of your control.

Seek His face (Psalm 105:4) in all you do and it will continue to reflect in the beauty of your spirit.

Allow His Word to refresh you in those moments fear creeps in and tries to steal your joy.

Praise Him that He never leaves us but walks right along side us as we move forward in life. 

What is the Lord saying to you, personally, through this blog? What do you think He wants you to do about it?