Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV [8] “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. [9] “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Almost three years ago, while praying, I repeated a request I had been making for years. I had never had the sense God was saying no to my desire. I suspected the time was not yet. I wanted a companion.
This time, I got an unexpected response. It took me a while to realize what took place next was His answer for right now.
Three days later, my three and a half year old granddaughter and her parents came for the weekend. My daughter and granddaughter, now six and a half, are still with me. She has been placed in my life in this way for God’s purpose. It took me a while to realize she was the right now answer to my prayer. This was God’s plan, because His thoughts, not mine, and His ways, infinitely higher than mine, are to prosper me. As I attempt to raise her in Christ, I hear words coming out of my mouth that I recognize as lessons I need to remember.
God brought me a child instead of the companion I had requested, because His ways are perfect. Through this season, He has grown me in trust, wisdom, discernment, patience, love, joy, kindness, longsuffering and so much more. His teaching and instruction have come to me through teaching Alana.
Obedience is the biggest lesson I needed to learn. Although I had made great strides in this area, He was going to show me my obedience needed serious fine tuning.
The Lord showed me that if I delay in being obedient, I will not have peace. Also, a bad attitude while being obedient will cause disquiet. But that is not enough. Along with being obedient, I need to let go of the outcome. I need to have total faith in Him when doing what He asks.
Recently, I was sure God was instructing me to do something that would be a sacrifice for me, but show love to my daughter. I immediately did what He asked. What came next was a lesson I never want to forget.
My love offering was rejected. I fell apart. I did not understand. God asked me to do it and I did. So, why did it not work the way I imagined it would?
My dear sisters in Christ calmed me down, very kindly and gently explaining that I had determined what the outcome would be. I was reminded of Isaiah 55:8-9. God had another purpose for this. His mind and ways are not ours. I may never know the reason He had me do that. What I know is that His way is perfect, and to have faith means I will obey Him.
When my granddaughter does something I have taught her she should not do, she is always quick to say, “Sorry, I forgot.” I usually respond to this by explaining that I know she is sorry, but she needs to repent. Then I remind her of the lesson she learned in Sunday School about turning away from your bad choices.
On this day, I found I had to take my own advice. Even though it was only in my mind, I took control and crashed. I needed to repent. In His never ending mercy, the Lord forgave me and renewed my spirit.
Psalms 51:10 NKJV Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
In our minds, the intended result for God’s request may seem obvious, but that is where we need to let go and have no expectations for the outcome. This comes through faith in Him alone. And with faith comes trust. With that trust, we have been instructed to guard our hearts. We need to put on the armor of God and let Him have His perfect work in us. God has won the battle. He knows what the outcome will be, and His plan is perfect.
Psalms 18:30 NKJV As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Hebrews 11:30 NKJV By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
No one, but God, could accomplish that!
Janice S.