New Background

Can You Hear Me Now?

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

His Ways Are NOT My Ways


"Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you
may not understand at the time."

~ Oswald Chambers~

When I think of deliberate confidence I begin to picture the overwhelming and overcoming spirit that dwells within me and drives me…when I’m at my very best. I also think of and remember how at odds my spirit and flesh seemed to be just a few short years ago.

It was 1995. I had been laid off of a job that had lost its appeal and the lay off was a golden opportunity for me. This was my opportunity to leave behind a city that had stolen a large chunk of my soul…A city that was literally killing me.

I didn’t even know where I was moving to, until about 3 weeks prior to the cross country journey. It was to be a launching pad for my future career…or so I thought. I moved to Albuquerque (before I could spell the name) with such certain anticipation for my future in Art Therapy.

It was February 17th, 1995, when I arrived in Albuquerque, and it was over 80 degrees. I was wearing a sweater as my friend and I had traveled from a much cooler climate in Baltimore.

I peeled off the layers and began to unpack in my little loft apartment. I spent the weekend with my travel friend…my best friend, until he had to return to Baltimore and his own life. I found a job fairly quickly and began the process of enrolling in a local college for some required coursework prior to my graduate courses.

I soon made the discovery that my coveted Art Therapy program was to be suspended at UNM and I was questioning why God would move me all this way for nothing.

The answer became apparent only weeks later when I met my future husband, the very love of my life and fullness of my heart. Mind you…marriage was the farthest thing from my mind. I didn’t have such a good track record in the ‘love’ department and had ‘given up’ on the whole prospect for my career focus.

We were married about 3 years later. I wouldn’t say it was ‘love at first sight’ but we were together almost every single day from that initial meeting till the day we said our marriage vows. It was a love that grew and grew until it became a synchronized heartbeat of three; him, me and God.

I have since never doubted, that the girl that left Baltimore, certain she was never to wed, even more certain she was destined to be a successful Art Therapist, was actually a girl, God was preparing to become a bride. To find that ‘soul completion’ He had created just for me, in my husband.

Every once in a while when I begin to doubt a path He has me on…I think of this period of my life. I think of the richness I dwell in, in marriage. I think of the richness God has already blessed me with and desires to bless me with even more. I have a DELIBERATE CONFIDENCE in the character of GOD and that is the very seed of my faith that is my life in Him.

Have a confident Tuesday!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Were you sitting on my couch the other evening when I asked my husband that same question....how two people...with really not a chance of ever meeting...I was intent on my graduate studies also, and he was some GI I would never have anything to do with, after all, they're an unstable lot ;)....meet, fall in love and create a life together....I mentioned this to him the other night..."we were strangers, and here we are, heading towards retirement together...how did that happen?"...anyway, on another coincidental note..I was just lecturing to my class yesterday about the power of art therapy...congrats to you on fulfilling your dream and trusting God to give you another one that you didn't even know you had.

Anonymous said...

What is that verse that says "I know the plans I have for you...?"

Yet another instance of God's plan!

You blessed me today with your story!

Unknown said...

Oops, I signed in wrong. I am not Steve and Erica, I am butterfly kisses. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

OH this is soooo true! The best way to get something is to remember and recount how God brought you through something else. Thanks!

someone else said...

Oh, that was so wonderful to read. God really does have a plan for us, doesn't He?

Dawn said...

I think often of the "chances" of DC and me getting together - none whatsoever if it hadn't been for God's intervention. He knows what's best, that's for sure!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

CJ said...

I wouldn't have half the people in my life that I do had it not been for His intervention!

God Bless!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing God's faithfulness in your life!

Anonymous said...

I think, not so much of the chances of my meeting my husband, as he lived just 6 short blocks from me....but...of how, through the grace of God, we are STILL together after 35 years of marriage!!!! God is, indeed, a GOOD GOD!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on faith and the character of God with us.

I would say that you stepped on in faith believing God to be your guide :)...


Blessings on your evening and always.

Nic said...

I am still waiting for my prince charming, even though he might be wearing tarnished armor and I am trusting God to bring him to me. I really enjoyed your post for this week's IOW.