As I sit here looking at shoes, my husband’s and step-daughters an overwhelming feeling of joy washes over me, this is my life. I didn’t imagine it this way but I had hoped and prayed for God to use me. Two pairs of shoes hardly a ministry in the minds of some but I disagree. God called me here. Another feeling of sadness washes over me, it is Memorial day and the once family that I am now a part of is missing such a vital vibrant piece. I pray for the extended family and my new family today. The day will be tough. My husband will have tears with a mixture of happiness. I will think of my deceased spouse, child, and others. I think of all the military families having a new normal because someone so precious is no longer here on earth. My mind jumps to organ donors and if the recipient’s family ever feel a mixture of joy for their life with sadness of the life lost. I pause and take the room in, toys are scattered everywhere, a wedding picture of my husband with his deceased wife still hangs and will hang on the wall, a picture that his grandfather painted, family photos, and my families shoes. This is my life that God has asked me to serve in.
Let me explain I was widowed and dating for a while. I prayed for God to use me, if God wanted me to stay single, I was ok with that just use me, if God wanted me to marry make that abundantly clear. I prayed if I was to marry the qualities I wanted in a man. I had a list. I struggled with having so many options in front of me and not knowing which to take.
I was single my kids were old enough that I could move. I wasn’t tied down to any plan and I wanted my option to be obedient to God’s calling on my life. Many days I cried out to God for guidance. I was frustrated and then I made plans. God’s silence and his timing were not lining up with what I could comprehend. I was content with my life and my plans.
Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.”
My heart was to be determined to be content, with life, to plan my steps, but to let God interrupt the process.
He did.
God asked me to serve him in this marriage. He asked my husband to love me because I had never been loved before as Christ loved the church. God made it abundantly clear his steps for our life together.
Here is my encouragement for you today. If your job is a never ending pile of laundry with toys being picked up constantly, if you have to eat fast food just to get a moment with a child running in the play area, and you feel that two pairs of shoes isn’t much of a ministry, I disagree. It is a ministry that will impact others more than you will ever know.
My husband’s deceased wife left a huge hole in many people’s lives, she loved God, and ran her race well. God uses Mothers, Wives, Sisters, and Mentors everyday. He uses us in homes or at work, when a younger person needs a mentor.
He uses us in the mundane. The mundane most days is the beautiful testimony unfolding because everyday can’t be a burning bush type of day. Diligent obedience, running our race, seeking his face, is in the everyday stuff of life.
My hope for you today is to see God working in the laundry, or at the job, or around the teenager needing new tires, or the three year old screaming about life not being fair, the list goes on but God is using you. He loves you and has great plans for you. I have no idea how many lives my family will impact for God but I know my role and my place for God.
My prayer for you today is for God to direct your steps as well.
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