These past two weeks have been a whirlwind for me. I've been packing, creating and testing a possible menu for the cafe, saying some goodbyes and just now it has hit me that I'm leaving in one week (ahhh!!! So much to do!) June 11th is my departure date and I will arrive in Tanzania early in the morning on the 13th. It's nearly a 27 hour commute to TZ and needless to say, I will be very happy once it's all over! Yesterday I had the chance to speak at the Oasis Church. It was more of a casual conversation about all that led up to this point of me serving in Tanzania. While talking with them, so many details in my journey jumped out at me as reminders that He has been in control this whole time! So
many reminders! I have always known in my head that God was in control, but I think bringing all the details together at once was such a beautiful picture of His caring over even the smallest details of my life. When I was praying yesterday morning while getting ready, this verse came to mind: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your path" Proverbs 3:5-6. It's true. There were so many times when nothing made sense, the doors I thought were opened to me closed, and things became increasingly difficult. Now, being on the other side of that season, I can see God's hand in so many of those details preparing me for right now and things to come. The pastor of the Oasis told me after the service that my difficult season was a period of 'dying to myself'. It makes total sense. I had
my plans,
my dreams, and
my course I was taking to get there. God, however, had other plans. Those closed doors were essential to getting me where He wanted me all along. So, if you are reading this and you are feeling discouraged right now, frustrated, or alone...know that God
IS IN CONTROL, He is
IN THE DETAILS, and He
IS FAITHFUL. Give Him the desires of your heart, trust Him to do what He knows is best, and rest. Simply rest in knowing that '...He will make straight your path.'
