Little Stone Building

In my last post, I shared with you my thoughts and emotions at leaving the job I had held for nearly three decades. Let me go back and begin to explain how we got to this place.

I loved my job and the people I worked with, but for years had felt a tugging on my heart to do something else. I thought it might be massage therapy, so I went to school and was graduated with a certificate to become a massage therapist. I struggled for a couple of years, trying to build a clientele, but to no avail. Working full time and trying to build on a part time basis was not cutting it for me, so I shelved that love and kept on working.

That was until I got a phone call from a friend of mine that was opening her own salon, and asked if I would like to be their massage therapist. Are you kidding me? This seemed like the perfect opportunity to leave my current job and move into a totally new career doing something else that I loved, massage.  I was so excited, and planned, dreamed and began to think about how great it was going to be. But, in the deepest part of my heart, something did not feel right. Not that making this change was wrong or bad, but just that still small voice telling me, "no, not yet". I didn't know if it was not THIS or just WAIT.  I left for a ten day mission trip and prayed about it the entire time. When I got home, I was more sure than ever that it was a no for me at this time, so I called my friend and let her know. That was July 25, 2016.

August 9, 2016, two weeks and one day later, I opened an email that I get every morning. It listed all the new properties for sale that day. I was always curious, so I took a few minutes each day to look. As I scrolled through the listings, a piece of commercial property was before my eyes, and I loved it. I turned my computer monitor toward Randy and said, "here it is, our new restaurant". Randy and I had always joked about opening a sub shop, one of his passions. If we combined the subs and massage, we could call it Subs and Rubs. I was really kind of joking when I showed him, and much to my surprise the words "lets go look at it" shot from his mouth (I think before he had time to think about them).

I called and made an appointment to meet the relator that evening after work. This little building in Marietta, SC,  is a 30-45 drive from where we were living and working in Greenville. On the way there, we drove through a terrible storm, one of the worst I can ever recall, the kind where your windshield wipers are beating fast and hard against the windshield, and you can't blink as you try so hard to see two feet in front of you. Randy said "lets call and reschedule" but we were over half way there, and I knew she had to be on the way as well. So we kept on driving.

As we approached Marietta, the rain let up and by the time we parked the car, the sun was out, and this beautiful rainbow appeared in the sky just above the building next to the one we were looking at. I told Randy, "there's our sign!", I even took a photo of it.

God continued, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I’m putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life. When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth.” Genesis 9:13-16 MSG

 I really think it was at that moment that we knew, this little building would be ours, even if we didn't know for sure what we would do with it.

So, here it is, our "Little Stone Building". We are believing that God led us here, and has a great plan for this amazing little building, and our ordinary lives. I believe that the flood waters that have washed over our lives in the past are over, and that regardless of what comes our way, God is with us and leading us. 

This is just the beginning of a crazy, great ride. Follow along as I share the ways in which God has and is blessing us as He leads us on this journey.

Front door of Little Stone Building

Back of building

IS THAT REALLY GOD'S STILL, SMALL VOICE

 

Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.”

A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.    1 Kings 19:11-12 MSG

I have been praying for an answer. Why did I think God would unfurl a banner from heaven with the words "Do This" or "Don't Do That"? Maybe He would speak to me through a song on the radio, or a word from my pastor. I waited for one of these senerios to play out, but nothing, only quiet and stillness.

I am sure part of the problem is my own busyness. Honestly, I haven't taken time to listen to my husband, let alone the still small voice of God. I know I am not alone, most of us fill our lives with different things that command all of our conscience time. As soon as the alarm goes off in the morning, my mind is racing as I head to the bathroom to take my shower. "What day is this? Monday? Ok,"  I have my mammogram appointment at 8:00, then work till 4:30, go home feed the dogs, head out to finish painting the other house, grab something to eat, then before you know it, I am on my way home, and it is 10:30. Set the alarm, crash, repeat.

I remember last summer, I was presented with an "offer I couldn't refuse". I thought it was the answer to all my unhappiness with my job, uncertainty about the future and chance for change - all the things I had been praying about for years.  I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity, it was exactly what I wanted to do, perfect. Except, there was a nagging in my heart that seemed to to say no, this is not for you. I tried every which way to make it work out. I had discussions with myself trying to drown out the words in my head that seemed to say "not yet, not this".

So, before I left on our mission trip to Nicaragua, I made one of the hardest calls I had to make, declining the offer. Surprisingly, when I hung up, there was peace, not regret. Little did I know, that just three weeks later, God would open the door to the most amazing, life changing, venture. If I had not listened to His prompting to say no, I would have missed out on something much better.

Then, on Friday, while I was once again praying, it hit me. I am in the same position now. I have a tremendous opportunity to do something I love, to serve on a mission trip to Nicaragua. To teach a cake decorating class to the women at House of Hope, and love on the children at One By One. Who could deny the value of a trip like this, or all the good it affords. Yet, I have a nagging, heaviness in my heart that it just isn't the right time for me. It doesn't make sense to me. It does not have to make sense to me though, does it? I just need to listen to the still, small voice in my heart that says "Not this time.". 

I know that God has a reason for everything, even though in my finite mind I cannot figure it out. I have to trust that where He leads, He provides, and He sustains.

I have to trust that where He leads, He provides, and He sustains.
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So, I make the phone call I have been dreading, and just like last time - peace. I don't know what it is that God has in store for me, or what His plans are, but I am excited to find out!


When have you said no to what seemed like it should be yes?

My Pillar of Cloud

"By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."   Exodus 13:21 NIV

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

I have always found low lying clouds to be mysterious and beautiful. They appear to move and breathe if you are still and watch long enough. Have you ever been close enough to one of these patches of fog, appearing so close you could almost touch it? I have a time or two in a field on the side of the highway. Each time I wanted to pull over and "walk through the clouds". I promise myself, the next time that opportunity arises, I WILL do it.

A few weeks ago, I had the priviledge of attending the Asheville Christian Writers Conference at The Cove - The Billy Graham Training Center. What an amazingly peaceful and tranquil bit of heaven on earth. I honestly had tears in my eyes as I pulled away from the guard gate. As luck would have it, I forgot to pack my phone charger, a small blessing in disguise. Without the distractions of social media, phone calls, texts and emails, I was able to focus all my attention on the true purpose for being there.  The only regret, with a dead phone battery, I was unable to take all of the photos I wanted.  I only captured one picture of the mountain view, and it was breathtaking.

The Cove

Sunday morning, the clouds hung low in the valley. I was comforted by the beauty of this white, fluffy blanket that seemed to cover us. Immediately I was reminded of the scripture I had recently read about the children of  Israel, being lead in the wilderness by a 'pillar of cloud'. So easily, I imagined what it must have been like in that desert, all those centuries ago with Moses, to see a cloud and know that it was God.  Peace flooded my heart at the vision of this mass that hovered above, seemingly at arms reach.

As you may have read in an earlier post, we have been dealing with the clean up from a storm in early March. A tree fell on the roof of a house we own. Add to that - working on another piece of property to get it ready for habitation, cleaning up our own house and the tree that fell there, finding out we are losing not one but two different tenants, bills piling up, and the already tiny money pile shrinking. I had to take a few days off work from my full time job to get some things finished up. I had been praying for God to lead us, and provide for us, and was beginning (okay continuing) to stress about our entire situation.  As I was driving past Paris Mountain, close to my home, I was again reminded of God's presence as a pillar of cloud.

Paris Mountain

I stopped my car on the side of the road to take a photo.  There it was, to me, a symbol of God's presence. It seemed to whisper to my heart, "Peace! Be Still!". In that very moment, God was there with me, going on before me, and covering me with His peace. What an amazing gift.

To some, clouds or fog are only a nuisance. To me, they will forever be a sign of my Father's guidance, presence and peace.

Take time to notice the little things, God may be seeking your attention
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What are symbols of God's presence in your life?

GOD'S LOVE THROUGH A DOG'S EYES

The Lord is good,
A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble;
He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him

Nahum 1:7 AMP

I am a firm believer that God will speak to us in many creative ways. He uses the Bible, lyrics to songs we hear on the radio, other people, just to name a few.  This week I felt the gentleness of his spirit speak to my heart through my sick, stinky, fur monster, Boo Boo.

I have never been able to have children of my own, so I have Fur Babies. I think I love my dogs as much as some parents love their own flesh and blood. Conan, our Chocolate Lab, and Boo Boo our Newfoundland, bring extra love, joy and slobber to our home, and I can't imagine life without them.

Dogs, one of life's greatest teachers, LOVE on 4 legs
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Boo Boo in particular is very clingy to me, in truth her name should have been Shadow. She follows me from room to room. As soon as she lays down on the cool tile floor in the breakfast nook while I am making my coffee, she has to get up and follow me to the bedroom at the other end of the house while I decide what to wear for the day. She flops into a huge pile of black fur in the middle of the bedroom floor (looking like a breathing bearskin rug). Next I am on my way to the bathroom to dry my hair. Of course she must follow me there as well, because she enjoys the hot air of the hair dryer on her back, as I tell her what a  'pretty' girl she is.

I recently took Boo to the vet because a skin issue had flared up. We left with a hefty dose of antibiotics for my fluff nugget. As the days passed, her appetite dwindled (very rare for a Newfoundland, who eats as much as she breathes). No longer did I have company from room to room, only when I sat down would she cuddle with me on the sofa, taking comfort in my love for her. She was so pitiful, and my heart hurt to see her not well.

When I read Nahum 1:7 in light of my relationship with Boo Boo, I have a small glimpse into the love of our Father has for us.  Boo seeks me out for comfort, and refuge. She trusts me to care for, and soothe her hurts. I recognize this is what she is doing. Because I love her dearly and understand that she was not well, I give her what she needs and asks for.

How many times have I run to God, seeking refuge at His side, comfort in His arms, too many to count. When my feelings are hurt by the insensitivity of another, I am overwhelmed at all I have to do, or I am just lost feeling, He is there. His spirit covers me with peace like a fresh blanket of snow

God is good. Turn to Him for strength, for refuge from the pain and storms of life, He will be your stronghold. He loves you, He understands you.

Do you have a favorite pet story that God has used to speak to your heart?  How has God shown His love to you this week?

FAITH ~ BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING

 

He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” - Genesis 22:5 NIV

 

Don't you just love it when a passage you have read hundreds of times, suddenly has fresh new meaning, like you are hearing it for the very first time. The story of Abraham and Isaac is one of the early bible stories most of us learn as children. God tells Abraham to take his beloved son Isaac, and sacrifice him as an offering. When they arrive at the place Isaac is to be sacrificed, he says to his father "where is the lamb for the burnt offering?", "God will supply the offering." is Abraham's reply. And yes, according to Genesis 22, God does supply the offering, sparing Isaac's life.

It has always been in Abraham's reply to Isaac that I have seen his faith voiced.  However, today as I was reading this story, I see where Abraham proved his faith prior to this reply. He said to his servants that were traveling with them, "we are going to worship, then WE will come back to you". We, Abraham said WE will come back. He could have said, "I will return", or "see you soon", or "be ready to leave when you see me again", any number of things. But he said we.

I have been struggling with a certain aspect of my faith lately; trusting that God is going to provide for us financially. We are in a period of our life that we have more outgoing than we do incoming, and it seems everyday there is another unexpected expense. I know in my heart He will provide, but because I cannot see how, or when it will happen, I waiver in my belief.

I want to be like Abraham.  Not that I want God to ask me to sacrifice someone dear to my heart, I want there to be no question in my thoughts, words or actions that God has everything in control. 

From now on, It is God WILL provide, not if. I will speak it, as if it is so, because it is.

Are you like Abraham?  How has God provided for you when it didn't seem possible?

 

In Him

Sheri

(photo courtesy of Pixabay.com)