Have you ever had a book that just spoke right to your heart? When you finished it, you were sad because it had ended. That is exactly how I felt with The Magnolia Story. I honestly felt so inspired by Chip and Joanna’s words. Not in a “I want to flip a house” way either.
I really wasn’t completely sure what to expect. I am a HUGE fan of Fixer Upper. I love Joanna’s style. I think they are such a fun couple. But, I didn’t expect God to use this book to speak to me. (You need to read this book, even if you have no interest in design.)
Their stories of overcoming obstacles and following God’s calling for them moved me to tears. Mostly because, I can relate so much to what they went through. There was one paragraph that I read where I had to stop and have Scott read it also.
This is exactly how we have been feeling. We walked out the door of ministry and the door closed behind us. It has been painful. It has been hard. A few paragraphs later, she said “That’s the thing with doors. They can always be unlocked.”
We know that this season is not forever. We aren’t currently in full-time ministry, but we are still serving the Lord right where we are. We fully believe that the door is going to open again, even if it may take a few years.
God uses all of these painful things in ways that we never could have imagined. If we had stayed in Oklahoma, even though it was NOT where God wanted us, we would not have been here with Scott’s dad while his time on earth was ending.
Now that we are months removed from wrestling with God over the decisions that we needed to make, I see even more how beautifully his hand was in everything. His hand was in it so much that even our DOG was taken care of. We had no income, but still had bills to pay. I did not want to get rid of our rescue puppy, because that would have devastated our daughters even more; but I did not want anyone else having to take on the financial burden of paying for his needs. My sisters, mom, and I started getting e-mailed coupons from Petsmart for bags of free dog food. Once we were able to get our feet back under us some, those e-mails stopped.
You guys. God cares about EVERYTHING. Our little dog had free food for an entire summer while we wondered how we were going to make ends meet. Every time he would start to run out, another e-mail would come. Just let that sink in.
It is NOT easy to walk away from what is comfortable and give everything up when God calls you to do it. But, there is a peace that will come when you fully let go and trust Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Our path may be nowhere near we ever thought it would be. In fact, it is facing a completely differing direction than we thought. But, God has been with us EVERY step of the way.
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