His Will

Well the giveaway at The Stylish House has ended,

 the winner was Sara Norris LTD,

 but there is another one coming up at The Shabby Chic Cottage. If you missed the chance to win one of my tassels there's one more chance. This time it is Winner's Choice so head on over to Gina's blog and enter to win.

All weekend I had been meaning to blog, but the only news I had was the weird weather. If you live in the midwestern region of the country, you know what I'm talking about. Not wanting to risk sounding like I'm 70 years old (giving you up to date weather conditions), I opted for NADA.

Today however I have a pressing need to expose and examine a couple of points very dear to me.:

The decision to leave my church has been a very intensely personal one of which I continue to mourn.At the same time to join a new church will be a task I cannot take lightly as this is a very real part of who I am & how I define myself.

I am today pondering the actions that took place preempting my choice to finally break free. Out of my pain it is way too easy for me to 'villianize' the offending parties, but I cannot blatantly state that they are NOT doing God's will. I was reminded this morning of the beloved story of Joseph. In his innocent zeal he told his family, on more than 1 occasion, of his dreams where they were all bowing down to him. Was his ego inflated?I would be foolish to believe it wasn't affected to some degree. Was this why God had him endure the many trials that awaited him? To let him fall low so that God can raise him up? Or perhaps God revealed these things to him early to set an already determined path into motion that would find Joseph humbled before he is exalted? Either way I keep thinking about Paul's letter to the Romans when he states "Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden." Romans 9:18
If we look at those who make our road appear bleak, who may even place barriers in front of us, as not "in God's will", then we may miss the invitation the Great Conductor has orchestrated to"raise you up for this very purpose that I might display my power in you and that My Name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Romans 9:17

I am still nursing my wounds and the pain has not faded entirely, but I can today embrace it whole-heartedly trusting my God knows my destiny and I can willingly lay it down letting Him lead me by my right hand.