Winter

Winter

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The Opening of Doors

This summer as you know has been filled with challenges. As I look back, I see the trails and the paths God had to have us walk and even when I doubted and I doubted far more than I trusted. God was always working.
I sat down at the beginning of the summer. I wrote a list. A long list of all the needs, that only God could do. He answered every single thing on my list, but not the way I expected. My son needed a job. He got a job but not the one he wanted. God has a better plan for him and I like seeing the results on my son and how his character is being formed through it.

My daughter and her family have gone through a incredible time of testing. I begged God for my son in law to get a job. Month after month, he has gone on so many interviews it has been crazy. Weird things happened finally one day as I was on my knees praying, the thought popped into my head. " The door is closed for a job here." The thought was so terrible to me, I couldn't even say anything. Finally, after another weird interview, I told my husband what I thought.

As a grand mother and a mother it is really hard for me to pray, Not my will Lord, but thine. Finally after a summer of wanting my will, I gave up. My son-in-law's family just moved back to Arizona. All of his extended family lives in Arizona. His parents asked them to come for a visit last weekend.

God has already prepared me for what was coming. God is good that way. But I didn't know how much bigger the answer would be.
There is a house that is available for them to move to in the next couple of months. They live in an apartment here. The house is 4 bedroom, two bath. It has a living room and a family room. It has a yard and a covered patio and even a swimming pool. The best part is they can live in it rent free until my son in law can get a job in Arizona.

I don't know what was a bigger answer, how big the house is or rent free or all of it. But it is a huge answer to prayer and not one I ever dreamed. I know that now that there will be a job. I had to get to the end of myself this summer because I needed to desire what was God's best not what was best for me. I am selfish, I don't share well. I love my kids and grand kids almost to the point of worship. I am so glad that we live in an age and not one of my great grandmothers age that when your children moved west you might not see them again. At least I can have Skype and email and the phone and all sorts of ways to keep in touch.

Arizona is a very beautiful place. The air is so dry and breathing is such a joy. The colors of the desert are beyond description. I can get on a plane and be there in an hour. I know this is God's best. When I was praying all summer, I didn't know that God would answer is such a huge way or that in praying for God's will God would change me.

" But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him and his righteousness with their children's children."
( Psalm 103:17)

I will keep having to pray to keep my hands open to not want to hold on so tight. Carly Simon has a song and the words say there is more room in a broken heart. I think my heart must be all covered in band-aids.
But I am exited that God never disappoints me and He never leads me where I thought I would go but He does keep it really interesting and I know that God will do and has done such great things that I know every thing will be great! He has worked out every single thing for good. Every single thing.

Have a wonderful Saturday,
~Kim~

31 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i am excited for your daughter and son-in-law. moving will provide 'new doors' as you say. plus, they DO have the support of his family. yes, you will miss them terribly, but you will be nearby through technology and travel. it is good that his family can provide them a new start.

Julia said...

Dear Kim, I'm glad that you realized that you should let God work as only He can. He sees the bigger picture but we have trouble seeing things like He does.
I'm so glad that things are finely working out for your daughter and her husband.

As a mother, I understand.

God has only good plans, for us to prosper and not to harm us. Plans to give us hope and a future according to Jeremiah 29:11 scriptures.

I'm a bit envious of your sunny day in California as we are being drenched again with lots of rain today. I still couldn't finished my weeding and planting job in my vegetable garden.

I wish I could share a bit of our rain. We have too much.

I'll keep your intentions in my prayers.
Hugs, JB

Miss Debbie said...

Such a great testimony of His faithfulness! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Beth said...

Amen! A beautiful post! Thank you for sharing.

Empty Nester said...

I hear you on the trust thing, but you already know that about me. I also hear ya about the selfish thing- when it comes to my kids. I'm sure I'll be the same way when the grands come along. You are better than I am about the praying. I go from not praying because I think He's not listening to not praying because I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like the answer. I need to be more like you and just trust. And go with whatever He decides. Maybe I'll get it before He calls me home. LOL I'm so glad it's all worked out. I hope you'll be good with them moving away. Like you say, it's only an hour by plane! If you need a shoulder/ear, I'm here!

Gail said...

I totally understand. I am a control freak. I try to fix everything, make it easy for others, try to find a solution...when all I really need to do is stop and listen. When I am really still, I know that He is God and He is in control, not me. That is an humbling experience.

I am glad all your prayers have been answered.

Meg said...

So is it official then?

Christine said...

So much happening and as the saying goes, 'Let go and let God.' God bless you with faith for the days ahead. I will keep you in prayer.
Hugs
Christine

Rugs and Pugs said...

Kim ~
Glad things are working out for your kids. No matter what the age, as moms, we want the best for them.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Homeschool on the Croft said...

Yes, you are so blessed to have Skype etc to keep in touch. I *always* think of the mums who had to say goodbye to their children here in Lewis, knowing that when they crossed the Atlantic to Canada or America, they would never, ever see them again. *sniff*

So great to hear about your prayers being answered in *God's* way ... Yes, He has to teach us, in the end, to say, 'Thy will be done'. That is not always easy. At. all.

myletterstoemily said...

oh, even though your attitude is so great,
i know your heart is breaking. His grace
will cover that.

and hallelujah for a great big house!

now Lord, bring a really great job. and
thank you for it.

Cindy said...

Oh Kim, my eyes are filled with tears for you. I can imagine how that would be but it is so obvious the Lord has been doing a work in you. Bless you dear girl!

Patrice said...

Isn't it wonderful to see that all of your prayers were heard and answered? I know it's hard when things don't turn out as we'd have them, but he has always surprised me with the good. With that said, I'm still stuck in my ways and my own limited understanding.I always want things MY way. I wonder if God laughs at that sometimes.

Someone once told me that if you hold on to things with tight hands, your hands will be closed. If you hold on to things with thoughts of giving, and God's works, you will have your hands open. Open hands are the only ones that can receive.

Big hug to my dear friend:)

Jacque. said...

oh Kim...what a powerful message you just wrote with your post. Trust in God...He does have all the answers. Not necessarily the ones we want, but answers that work for His good. I have tears just from reading and absorbing your words. Hugs and Love to you and yours.

Kessie said...

It's a hard thing, and we all had be to broken down until we'd walk this path. I was reading Matthew in the Amplified, and this verse said, "But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it."

It's that contracting by pressure thing that's so difficult.

Dog Trot Farm said...

What doen't kill you, just makes you stronger... Trust in him dear Kim, thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. Hugs, Julie.

Primitive Stars said...

Hello Kim, my heart is heavy for you...but also happy for some luck with your family...The Good Lord willing....Where there is a will there is a way....Blessings Francine.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I so understand Kim. Our youngest and family moved this summer, and they have always been right around the corner till now. But you know what... there are blessings ahead even in this move, as your heart has already seen. It hurts though, I do get that. God will give new ways of being 'together', ways you haven't even thought of. Some lessons are so much easier to learn than others, but you are learning to trust in new ways through this, for both them and for you. I'm so proud of you!

xo

Alica said...

Thanks for sharing, Kim!

Pom Pom said...

Hmmmmmm. Bless your heart. Visiting Arizona will be good. I'll be praying for you.

annie said...

Who knows but there may be one particular person you are supposed to witness to when you go to visit Arizona? My Sissy says, "God never wastes anything!" Hugging you in the hurting of the letting go.

Will and Tracy said...

Kim I am sick at this moment but I trust God so much. Lets remember that I lived 2 doors down and we never saw each other and my move to Ok was shocking but we are closer than we have ever been and my life is more blessed than ever because of my obedience. Arizona is a breeze to get to. Where in AZ? I want Kess and family to follow God more than us. Sick to my stomach though. Obedience isn't easy but it is the only way. I love you. I will call you Monday.

Unknown said...

I can emphasize with you on this one, my son moved to AZ but for me it's a 6 hr plane ride away. He went for job too as jobs are not easy to find here on the East coast. There are so many people going through now too, we are not alone. Thinking of you and sending prayers.

Vintage Gal said...

Kim ~ I find again and again that the Lord answers our prayers, not the way that we envision them, but his answer. His answer is always the best answer as he is infinite in his wisdom and grace. He knows all ~ he is the Alph and Omega, the First and Last. We must remember that he has a plan that we mere mortals cannot comprehend.
Blessings

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

It's so hard to rejoice in answered prayers when those answers threaten to break our hearts. Still, I know that you are trusting in Him ... that He will bring something far better out of this. {{hug}}

Gumbo Lily said...

It will be lovely for you to go visiting the family in AZ during the winter months. God is good -- always.

Debbie said...

So heartfelt Kim, thanks for sharing! I hope you had a beautiful weekend!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Kim, love reading this post and hearing how God has answered prayers. I've always said faith is so easy to have until you need it and then it's a struggle. But God is faithful, cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. That' my go-to Bible verse...I need reminding constantly! God loves you with an everlasting love and underneath are His everlasting arms.

Unknown said...

Your post was very dear! I will be praying for you! My sister moved to Oklahoma from PA about 5 years ago. I miss her dearly. THat is nothing like a mother and children. Skype is very helpful. I am glad that you can get on a plane easily. I have always wanted to visit Arizona! Blessings, friend. Thank you for your testimony and encouragement in trusting in God's answers. There have been a lot of testimonies like yours on the blogs today! Good encouragement for one another!

Blessings, Friend!
Heather
thecountryschoolmarm.blogspot.com

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Great news for your daughters family and bittersweet for you at the same time. Arizona will be a beautiful place to visit once they are settled. God works in mysterious ways.

Kris said...

I have been catching up on some blog reading, and I really loved this post. Thanks for sharing. I have a hard time with trusting God's timing too, and worrying too much. I find myself worrying about things that in the grand scheme of things don't really matter.

I have a scripture that helps me in those moments.

I particularly like the NLT version of this.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.