Glancing Back

Shortly after marriage, in my young and eager mind, I thought for sure we'd be on the road in full time ministry, with no hiccups and plenty of support.  I was so naive.  I knew nothing about marriage, ministry,  or raising a family.  All I knew how to do was pray for miracles and I wasn't too good at that.  My faith was weak in alot of areas and I had no idea that adversity was what I needed to make it strong.  I hated anything that rocked the boat or caused any kind of confrontation.  I always wanted to blend in, just go with the flow.  I'd still rather do that sometimes but the difference now is the fact that life happened and I've been through enough to know that standing up and showing courage causes change.  At least in myself, it has.

Seven months into our lives together, we found out I was expecting.  We both cried for 3 days before we told a soul.  I honestly think we were in shock.  Totally unexpected.  My sweet hubby told me he felt like God was asking him to take a step of faith in leaving his secular job and going into full time ministry.  Talk about scared to death.  Can you go in shock while you're still in shock, cause I think I did.  The adversity that followed was unbelievable.  From financial difficulties, spiritual disciplines, family and friend separation...it was HARD.  Once our daughter was born, we seemed to settle into life with more ease.  She was such a gift from God.  And still is.  And the ministry calendar was actually staying pretty full by this time but God spoke again and changed our world.  We had such a desire to stay with a group of people, help them with their christian walk, and be a part of a body of believers.  Finally, we got an opportunity to pastor.  Wow, more adversity followed. 

Thing is, with every new level of adversity, there was a new level of courage.  It wasn't just our own tenancity or stubborness, although we had plenty of that for God to work with.  And boy did He!  He worked us over, inside and out, as many times as it took for us to learn it was HIM that would have all honor and HIS plan would always be the better one.  God was trying to teach us how to walk in balance.  He had a tough job and He's still teaching us 21 years later.  

My point in this?  Adversity hurts.  It brings out our ugly everytime. But it allows us to learn who God really is and how good He is at doing His work.  Its not good for us to be wise in our own eyes.  That brings Him shame and causes us to lose favor.  The only thing we should be shunning is evil, not adversity.  Allow all things in life (hard and easy) to be the catalyst of your learning more as God guides you through each one.  He doesn't stop being awesome at any point.