Monday, January 21, 2013

The Beauty of a Story

I love to tell a story. 

Sound effects. 

Hand motions.  The whole nine yards! 

I don’t leave out any details.  I love to paint a picture with my words. 


As this new year in Haiti begins to unfold, I can’t help but wonder what kind of story I have fallen into.  Haiti.  Of all places for me to be, I would have never imagined that this is where the Lord would place me.  I never imagined that I could fall in love with this place.  One of the most frequent questions I am asked is how long will I stay.  And at this point, I really don’t have an answer.  The last year and a half seem to have flown by.  Then on the other hand I feel like I’m just getting settled into this amazing place.  The only answer I am really able to give is this, “I will stay until He moves me.” 


Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of the man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” 


There have been many, many seasons of my life where I have made plans and I think I know what is best.  None of those seasons have proven to be very fruitful.  I believe that is why this season of my life has been the exact opposite.  In 2009 when I let go of control and stopped trying to do things my way, that’s when things really started to change.  I stopped trying to plan.  I stopped trying to steer the course of my life.  2009 is when I moved from Colorado to Arkansas.  And for those of you that know my story, you know that moving to Arkansas is what eventually led me to move to Haiti.  It didn’t happen overnight.  My life didn’t change in a flash.  But step by step, the Lord was leading.  I am so thankful that I finally let go.  Nevertheless, I still find myself wanting to grab the reigns and take control.  It is a daily battle to surrender my pride and my selfishness.  But it is worth it.

 

I am thankful for grace.  I am thankful for God rescuing me from myself.  I am thankful for the story He has placed me in.