Have you ever wondered if your life is pleasing to the Lord? Do you wonder why life seems so much the same day in and day out? Do you think - am I really hearing You, Lord? What am I supposed to be doing that I am not now doing?
I feel certain all of us have had thoughts similar to these. Several weeks ago I was reading a Daily Devotional from Guideposts. There was a quote by Oswald Chambers. When I saw this I began to pay more attention, because I have read his "My Utmost For His Highest", and found it a beautifully written devotional that often confirmed what I felt the Lord was speaking to my heart. The quote is as follows:
"If you are gong to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all; they are meant to make you useful in His hands."
When I read the devotional I learned the writer had come across the quote years ago and placed it on her computer where she saw it every day as she wrote. At the time, she wanted a reminder that God intended to bring good out of her Stage 4 Ovarian cancer diagnosis. When first diagnosed, she was given a two-year life expectancy. Instead of fighting the prediction, she let it shape her life purpose: to do what mattered most in the days she had and to trust God to give her exactly what she needed every step of this new journey, even if it included dying sooner than she expected. But she did not die, and when she passed the 5-year anniversary of her diagnosis, she wondered if she could find a new life purpose about being a survivor.
I placed that quote on my computer, and have been meditating on it. The last year has been challenging for me, and though I am so grateful I am able to do much more than after my fractured hip surgery, there are things I can no longer do. I also did not look forward to cold winter weather coming with the Delaware dampness and humidity that is so prevalent. I began to pray about what I should do. Without sharing with anyone, the Lord placed it on the heart of my youngest son Joel to call to tell me he and his family would like to care for me in my later years, as I cared for my mother as long as I was able. I realized this was what the Lord had for me, as I had missed my three youngest grandchildren in Kansas, though my son keeps in close contact with me
At first the thought of leaving my precious friends, Bible Study, Prayer groups and church family here, was overwhelming. Yet deep in my heart I knew the Lord had a new purpose for me there. My first task was to share it with my Pastor, and with tears, I shared my heart. What a kind and precious shepherd he is. He assured me the church as a whole would miss me, but what I gleaned during these years will not be wasted as I move to serve the Body of Christ in Kansas, and we will still keep in touch. His words and prayer were comforting, and I am now in the process of preparing for the move with the help of many friends.
So far I do not know God's entire purpose, but as He continually opened new doors for me here, I know He will do so in Kansas, and I look forward to new friends He will bring into my life. As widows, we do not know how many years of life we have ahead, unlike the cancer patient who was given a life expectancy of two years, but God has unique plans for each one of us that we would not have done with our life partners. As Jesus' own Bride, He takes us on new and exciting paths we cannot even imagine. I love Ephesians 3:20 that speaks of the "exceeding abundant plan above all we can ask or think" that the Lord has for us.
We will continue our Widow's Might meetings while I am here, and I pray the Lord will raise up another person to take over. With e-mails, blogs, phone calls, etc. we will remain in touch - and when the Lord comes to take us all with Him in the air, we will all be together in one huge Body with our Heavenly Bridegroom. What an exciting time that will be! Until then, let's continue to pray for each other for God's new doors and purposes for each of us to be revealed - and if God is calling for you to facilitate the Widow's Might, please be obedient. This might be God's new purpose for you.
In His love and mine, Dee
