2009 has barely begun and already it’s full of changes. I knew going into this year that things were being shaken up. In fact, the shift began to take effect in late November with the birth of our grand baby, Kamryn. She forever changed our lives the moment she took her first breath. What a beautiful addition to our lives and hearts.
I won’t go into every change in detail. Let’s suffice it to say that few things in my life remain the same. I know many of you are also experiencing a total life shake-up. Below is the short list of a few changes that have taken place over the last few months.
· New baby grand daughter
· Daycare for grand baby
· Began an ACFW start up group
· Changing churches
· Started writing a new fiction novel
· New schedule – induced by new grand baby
· New exercise routine
· Increased care giving responsibilities
Living a surrendered life is never easy. Sometimes what I want is not in God’s plan for my life. Now God is asking for even more changes and some of them are very difficult to give up (no, it’s not coffee).
At the beginning of 2009, I completely surrendered my schedule to Him and He is cleaning house, making room for the things He wants me to do. I have to say goodbye, at least temporarily, to some of my favorite outside activities and ministries. It’s been hard, but I know that He has my best interest at heart.
Writing is not a social activity. And if you ask my WFTJ sisters, I don’t do much writing at our Write Outs. I know God has a sense of humor because He called me to write, a solitary event, and I’m such a social butterfly. However, I know that He has called me to this and have complete confidence that He has my best interest at heart For Such a Time as This (click Here for the word). Surrendering my life, including my schedule, is my sacrifice of praise. What about you? What is God asking you to surrender?
Watch a short clip of our grand baby Here.
12 comments:
She;s just darling. :) And as to surrender, I'm not sure yet. It might be life if I know it, if we start down the adoption road.
Wow, what a cute baby!! I think God's asking me to surrender my worry. I think about things, fear the worst outcomes, etc.
Who by worrying adds a single hour to his life....right??? I forget what book of the Bible that's in...but I think that needs to be something I live by, daily!
Thanks for the post. Have a great day!
What a beautiful baby girl! May the blessings of the LORD lay upon her now and always.
I'm with you on what you shared. I'm walking it now!!! PRAISE THE LORD!
Sweet Kamryn. Just darling. And praying during your transitions. I know God will make all of your paths clear. He has a habit of doing that for you :-).
Such a beautiful gift from God. I watched the clip and really enjoyed it. I try to live by what was my husband's motto. "If God brings you to it, God will get you through it."
Sweetie
What a timely post! My husband is laughing at me (but loving it, really). Last week I stuck a white washcloth on the end of a wooden yardstick as my white flag of surrender... to him and his decisions! He's strutting around like a proud peacock, knowing he has my complete trust. (Or let's just say I'm working on it.)
Couldn't see the video of Kamryn at your other site, for some reason. I'll come back later.
Bless you in all your sacrificial changes, Jan.
What a cutie pie. She is just the sweetest thing! I know what you mean about all the changes, my life is full of them. I feel like the big lesson I am supposed to be learning is just hold on to the Lord as he is the only solid thing in all of this! He will guide and direct my every step IF I let Him! We just switched churches in the fall and are still being "invisible" I just called the pastor last week to tell him that I want to help with the womens group, so we will start getting involved. I hope all your changes will go smoothly for you.
xox Sharon
I relate to your surrendered life changes. I have a similar journey. Change isn't easy, but it's necessary to follow God. I recently wrote about my loss of identity because of having to give up some things for 2009.
Wow, interesting to see you tracking in a similar way.
Precious grandbaby pic.
I love love love my grand baby's ..arent' they just awesome???
congrats my friend..
going to watch the video now
Deena
Driving is AWESOME
Living the surrendered life isn't easy. Especially for those around you. Many will mistake what your giving up as either leaving them, or giving up on something all together. For me, this is where prayer becomes my strongest ally. I take comfort from the one that is closest to my soul and lean into Him. I will be praying for you, my friend for I know this isn't easy. Yet the rewards outweigh the temporary loss.
Well, Jan, the surrendered life must be the hot topic in blogland this week. Funny how so many of us are coming to some real and hard conclusions about what it means to live the crucified life. I've had such a week, and I, too, have been called to the writing life.
You're right...there is a sense of isolation that comes from such a doing; still and yet, there is deep intimacy when I'm left with a blank page and with God at the helm.
Never has there been a "writer's block"; He's just so worthy. I could write about him all day.
So glad I've found you here. Have a great weekend.
peace~elaine
Jan, I guess there are different experiences with giving things up. I've had to give things up in the past and thought my heart was being ripped out. This year, however, the Lord said to lay down everything--all volunteer stuff, the book I worked on all year last year, and other things. I was dreading it, but I was also excited.
There is not one thing I've given up that I miss. In fact, I am happier and lighter than I have been in who-knows-when. When I gave resignation letters, I was met with blessings and applause. In fact almost every leader I was under responded with something like, "I'm so thankful you hear God's voice and obey Him. It'll be such a blessing to you and your family. This is going to be great for you."
I am loving this season. I am relearning the joy of simplicity, remembering that I can live without my hands on a computer keyboard, and reestablishing relationships with people I have no correctly valued.
I love this season and thank God for it just about every single day.
Post a Comment