A New Theme

In 2009, it was TRUST.

In 2010, it was OBEY.

In 2011, it was SURRENDER.

Every year, for the past few years, God has given me a theme word for the year. In 2009, it wasn't until the end of the year that I discovered the theme - I'm a little slow, you know. But one day I realized God had been allowing me to go through circumstances which required me to trust Him in an increasing capacity. And I thought, 'What's that, God? Are You trying to show me I can trust You?'
And that's when I caught on to the theme.

So, after a year of learning to trust God, He took me through a year of putting that trust into action. God called me to act on my trust and to be obedient.
Last year, God took me to another level. To obedience with my heart, not just my actions. And I learned what it means to surrender. I learned trust goes beyond actions of obedience. Trusting with my heart means believing God's ways are perfect. His plans are best. I can confidently submit to God's plan because I trust Him - even when I don't understand.

This year, it seems the theme is PEACE. A beautiful next step on the journey. And yesterday, God gave me an opportunity to experience a piece of that PEACE.

I was scheduled to speak for a MOPS group in Big Rapids Tuesday morning. It's a fairly long drive, so one of the leaders opened her home to me Monday and I drove up ahead of time to spend the night. Had a nice visit with Rebecca and her husband - including a bit of conversation about SURRENDER, particularly as it pertains to my speaking ministry. Then we went to bed.

Tuesday morning I was just finishing getting ready when Rebecca called down the stairs, "I have some bad news. Schools are closed today, so MOPS has been cancelled."
And before my heart had a chance to sink, before I was able to feel disappointed, God reminded me what HE's been teaching me. HE has a perfect plan. And part of that perfect plan involved allowing the MOPS meeting to be cancelled. God knew it would happen, and He allowed it. I know that Truth in my heart. And as I surrendered to His perfect will - which wasn't in line with MY plans - God filled me with PEACE.

I am going to love this new theme!
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Since Rebecca's husband already had planned to stay home with her boys Tuesday morning, she and I and one of her friends went to a coffee shop and enjoyed a little chat time. It was a delightful morning, even without MOPS!