A prayer of mine is that I desire to hear from God free of expectations and often. I have learned that a lot of that comes through me personally creating space for this to occur. I understand that is not a pre-requisite, but I have found it does help. Whether it is in the morning through prayer, through spending time in His word, or taking walks with Him.
Many of you have had the opportunity to meet our little orphan Andy- the beagle/basset mix we adopted over a year ago. He has been an incredible addition to our family. Little did I know how much I would learn from him. Whether it is the Segway from adding a dog to the family where I can start to imagine having kids of our own (wow) or just how loyal and down right fun he is- it is all very cool. It was this particular walk today though that through prayer I saw the Lord use Andy to show me and teach me.
We were on our walk through the beloved field I mentioned in my last post (READ IT) when I began to just talk to our Lord and give over to Him where we are at. The worries of fundraising, the “what ifs” of next year, what I am desiring here and now. On that note- I began to tell the Lord how I truly desire in my spirit and faith to be controlled by Him- to the point of if He was to control me and tell me to look left or right I would do it (almost like a robot). I understand this is extreme, but I confessed that it was through how much I truly trust the Lord that I would want to be controlled in such a way, so it was some what of a metaphor I guess. Shortly after I could hear the Lord telling me that just as much as I want to be “controlled” by Him, He desires for us to SUBMIT to Him without Him having to control us. That is a true desire of mine, to submit daily as Luke 9:23 states and FOLLOW JESUS. I also confessed in this time how my selfish nature can stifle this desire and growth. It is a difficult balance at times- our selfishness and the desire to submit to our Lord. Please pray for me in this. I believe our Father gets SO much more joy when He sees us submit to Him, instead of Him having to control us!
As I was learning this I looked back in the field and saw Andy. We have gotten to the point where we will let him wander without the leash and surprisingly he stays close with an occasional sniff here and there. I found myself on the outskirts of the field along the tree line looking back at Andy who was enjoying all the world had to offer in scents darting back and forth from place to place. I at this point was a considerable way off and Andy must have found something good cause it was taking him in the opposite direction of me. I then called out to him with a good ole “ANDY!” He looked up, spotted me and began to SLOWLY make his way towards me. It was at that moment I realized more of the relationship we have with our heavenly Father. I could easily have Andy on the leash, tugging him here and there, but the feeling of seeing him come when I call is so much more rewarding. Knowing that him being obedient comes from his trust that he knows me to be his provider and that I care about him. Did he come running straight for me- not quite. He made some stops and it took some time, but that’s when I understood the patience of our Father as well. He is so loving and caring and He is always calling us to Himself. He is also patient as we try and find life in so many different areas, but ultimately it doesn’t compare to the unity we find when are reunited with our Father.
I woke up this morning kind of “out of it” or in a “funk” not really knowing what to do. What ever the motivation was I decided to put on some UNITED PURSUIT, read SOME of the Word and specifically say “I am going to walk Andy in the field and free of expectations I want You (God) to meet me in whatever way, shape or form You want to.” He did not disappoint.
For those of you reading, please continue or begin to pray for our fundraising process. We also want others to join us in praying that this coming year RIGHT NOW the Lord will continue to work on our hearts so we will get everything we can out of next year! We love yall and thank yall so much for taking time! Please if you find the opportunity share our story with someone and invite them in on this journey with us!
