When praying for God’s will, be ready for it.
Three years ago, I started to pray that God would give me direction as to whether I should pursue full-time employment and keep our kids in private school, or stay working at home a few hours a week and send them to public school. God completely and totally changed my heart and here we are in our second year of homeschooling.
Last year, in July, I applied for a paid blogger position with a shopping blog. I sent in two sample posts I thought were fantastic and awaited a response. Nothing. Meanwhile, the ministry in my own blog found direction and purpose. Four months later, I realized that one of my email accounts wasn’t even coming to my outlook inbox. It was an account I had set up for kind of extra emails. I had inadvertently sent the application from that account.
I don’t know why I was surprised to find that the very first email that had been sitting in my online account with seven hundred others was a reply from the company I applied to. They were very interested and wanted to speak with me by phone. That was the very day my emails stopped being delivered. I laughed. God had already completely and totally changed my heart to focus on a ministry through my own site. Had I gotten that position, my own blog and the blessing of ministry would have been abandoned.
A few months ago, I heard about a blogging conference for Christian women. Oh, I so wanted to go. I wanted to be encouraged and inspired, learn new things, and best of all… meet Sarah Mae, Jessica, Angie, Cheryl, Stef and countless other amazing ladies.
I prayed that God would send me. I sent out sponsorship letters. I prayed. I came up with an ebook to sell and earn my way. I prayed. I tweeted endlessly, following the conference hashtag and keeping up with the women going. Then I prayed some more.
Then I went on a vacation with my husband and was off Twitter for a week. My enthusiasm for the conference was waning. This morning, I prayed again to ask God to send me and I was overwhelmingly convinced that I no longer wanted to pursue going.
The conference is a day’s flight away and four days long. I have never been away from my family that long and I’m not sure I want to start doing that now. Bringing them with me would take an act of God. And God has completely and totally changed my heart. I will no longer pursue this conference. I told God that if He desires me there, He is going to have to bring it to my front door. I’m done chasing it.
The peace that settled in my heart at that second truly surpasses my own understanding.
Do you pray for what you want or for God’s will? Living in God’s will seems scary sometimes, but what we forget is His peace is part of the deal. How kind our God is to change our very heart’s desire instead of forcing His plan on us. Sometimes He gives us the desires we already have. Sometimes He gives us desires we didn’t even know we had. Sometimes, He changes our desires.
All we have to do is be open. Pray for His will. Mean it. Listen. Be still. Obey.
It’s good to be open to changing these things. It’s good to resolve, with yourself, what you know the end result will be before you’re faced with rejection and not able to go. Whether you find your comfort in knowing that God changed your mind/heart/soul/plans- or you find comfort simply in the fact that they’ve changed and you’re okay with it… It’s a good way to be; contented. Because really, it’s the only way to make anything happen.
Motivation to get it done, or motivation towards something else. There’s no point in wasting your motivation and effort on an end result that’s not as important to you as it originally was. Take the connections you’ve made along the way and run with them.
I’m glad that your heart is contented. And glad that I found your site.
Keep your head up! It’s obviously working for you. 🙂 We’re only as good as our outlook.
Beautiful post. So often I hear God’s whisper and say, “Are you sure?”, seeking for Him to tell me again… and He does with the patience of a loving father. My life is taking many new turns, and I find myself questioning… but I want to be sure I am listening and following. I don’t want to miss the amazing journey on the path He lovingly designed for us because I was lost on my own. It speaks volumes for your faith that you are genuinely contented simply because your trust is solidly placed. Lovely post to begin the week! 🙂
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Music… A Story of the Heart =-.
I love it when God does this. And I hate it all at the same time. it’s nothing short of a miracle when God turns my stubborn heart in another direction… thanks for the reminder, and for sharing your journey… it ministered to me today 🙂
.-= JennyRain´s last blog ..Ode to Sticky Notes =-.
Great post and an excellent reminder to seek to be in God’s will in ALL that we do. Funny thing is, I wouldn’t be surprised to see you at the conference with your whole family. Now that you’ve decided to quit chasing it and let God work, He just may bring it right to your door — of course, you may enjoy that weekend at home with your family, too. I just love that you’re at peace with it either way.
.-= Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers´s last blog ..Homeschool Showcase #45 =-.
Thanks, Kris. You kind of got to “hear” me struggling with this, so I’m glad you understand!
This is very beautiful and oh so true. I admire how willing you are to listen Him. I try to do that in my own life. Most times I do but other times I fall short. Thank you for sharing this. This is a lesson we all need to hear.
I do enjoy our blog and am happy you have been able to pursue this!!!!
Leslie
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..Friday Favs, Exciting News {& a layout} =-.
Great post Ang. I am quite convinced that the biggest result of prayer is how God uses it to change ME, to get me in line with His will and to give me His heart.
.-= Rhonda´s last blog ..Good Friday =-.
Beautifully written. 🙂
I can totally relate – God has completely changed my outlook on things more times than I could ever count.
And I’m so grateful. 🙂
-Lauren
.-= Mama Laundry´s last blog ..Washing Machines: Top-Loaders and Front-Loaders =-.
Sad I won’t get to meet you but so happy that you are listening to God. It’s hard to give decisions to Him sometimes but he knows what is best for each one of us. I have recently heard “no” and “not now” from God and although it’s sometimes disappointing to me, I know that He knows best!
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Mommy and Me Monday =-.
Gos is so gracious to us! It takes maturity in the Lord to hear Him, to lay things down and then trust and obey, THEN comes the flood of peace!
There’s no other place I’d rather be than smack dab in the middle of God’s perfect will for my life! Great post!
~traci
😀
.-= Traci´s last blog ..You Are My All In All =-.
GREAT POST! I was doing the same thing until I realized that God had more important things for me to do. Instead I just may be going to hear my favorite author speak. As much as I would love to be part of Relevant ’10, God has other plans for me.
what a great post – stinks I’m not gonna meet you (and thanks for the link), but what a great way to ask God for direction and be at peace when He leads us! And sometimes not where we expected. I love this faith story!!!
thanks for sharing!
Stef
.-= Stef @ Layton Family Joy´s last blog ..HomeSchool Science =-.
One of the hardest things in life is listening to and following God’s voice! My mentor always says blessings lie on the other side of obedience, so in your obedience to His will, know that your family will be blessed (by your presence!). I have an entire section of devotions that focus on God’s will on my site: https://samicone.com/category/faith/devotions/gods-will/
Thanks for being so transparent!
Sami
What a wonderful post! I am relatively new to your blog and love it! I will also be joining in on your workbox link ups…cannot wait to see all the great ideas!
.-= Kami@Nurturing the tender years´s last blog ..Workboxes: what’s in the box Monday? =-.
When i was about 27 i was a single mother of a 3 yo. I was very lonely and wanted someone to share my life with and i wanted a father for my son. L also longed for more children. When i had my son i realized that that is what god put me on this earth for, i always wanted alot but never really understood why, when i had my son i realized it was god all along telling me that was what i was suppose to do, be a mother! i prayed to God asked him for help ask him for direction. At the time my now husband was in my life but he was just my brothers friend. I had met him a few times and really couldnt stand him. But soon after i started seeing him in a new light. It was like God was showing me my way and he was it. I am now 33 i am married and have 4 beautiful children and i stay home and raise them. I thank God for bringing him to me and i feel now i am living the life God intended, and could not be happy! Thank you for reminding me of God’s strength! Sorry for rambling but i love telling that part of my life it really reminds me of God’s power and i hope helps others realized His power also!
What an awesome testimony, and hooray for giving God all the glory! Bless you 🙂
Yes, I agree with you that we need to listen to God. I totally believe in homeschooling and fought for years putting 3 of my kids in school. I still don’t like public school but these 3 kids needed this experience. MY 3 oldest I homeschooled all the way through. the 3 middle went to public high school. We will see what God has in store for the 3 youngest. So far he wants them to be homeschooled.
I have tried different businesses in the past. I have found that God has blessed me with cleaning for the elderly when I need cash right now. So the cleaning jobs have been spiratic (sp).
But I have found that God wants me to do L;Bri pure and natural skincare. And is blessing me with this company. In 3 months I have met some really wonderful ladies and I have also, been able to help them with their skin.
Keep praying and God will take care of you.
https://debbiellbriskincare.blogspot.com/
MBC
I hear ya. . . I’m praying those same prayers. We will see what He says.
m
.-= monica @ educating magpies´s last blog ..Just so you know (No. 4) =-.
It’s amazing how God can change our hearts to match his (and is still doing so). I never thought I’d be here (still single at 27)…my dream was to be a young wife and mother to many…but God is giving me the joy to live this life. Still praying that God will provide a husband (and children), but I rest in knowing that I COULD stay single my whole life and have a full life.
.-= Ronnica´s last blog ..Turning My Focus Outwards =-.
I’ve been looking for a new job. I’ve applied for what i think is my dream job several times. Each time I pray that God will lead me to the place I’m supposed to be. Each time i don’t get the job. I guess that means I already am where I am meant to be. however, I have moments where it seems like craziness that I’m still here and i can’t work out why. I just need to embrace where I am, and make the most of it, even if i’m not always feeling it.
One of these days, your dream job will be God’s will and it will all make perfect sense! I pray you have peace in the waiting. I know it’s so hard.
Praying that prayer has helped me so much in the past month, thanks for reminding me to keep going on that path. God is calling me to spend more time focused on my children, and it’s looking like I’ll be on a homeschooling adventure after resisting the idea for the past few years. Rather than focusing on all the things I’ll “miss out” on or have to “sacrifice” God is showing me how much I would sacrifice by way of relationships with my two amazing daughters if I forgo this opportunity.
The allure of the fast-paced world will always be there, and now is the time to slow down and nurture the life of my family. Thanks for the encouragement!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Sell out =-.
I felt the same way! Like I would be sacrificing my life, but instead it is so much richer in ways I couldn’t have even imagined. I thank God that He called me to slow down because not only am I doing what is right, I am happier than ever! I pray you’ll continue to follow the path God has you on 🙂
God’s love is no limit weather you are bad or good..i sometimes feel down and failed but i trust the heaven above i know he sees me and ready to help to lift me up..never stop believing and pray!!!
GOD BLESS US ALL.