Falling Like Rain

      The past couple of months I've really taken a step back from all forms of social media in an attempt to gain sanity and realize life without being tied to what other people think about what I have to say. I have to say it has been one of the most liberating choices I've made in quite awhile. Needless to say, due to this choice many things that happened the past couple of months have been kept quiet until I felt freed to talk about them. 
      To start off I want to say that this is NOT a bragging blog on great things that have happened to me. This is a blog that describes the ultimate grace and favor of God- something that can only truly occur when you're working in and toward His Will.
      The best way to describe the things that have happened is think of rain. Lots of it. I know some of us may not quite remember what it looks like. So here's a reminder:

      After graduation in May, much to my delight, I was able to continue working on Schreiner Campus for Campus Ministry. I was able to finish some things up that still needed to be done. I started really applying for jobs and just praying that God would open the doors He wanted. (Granted, I've only now learned the folly of such a question since Satan has as much power to open doors but that's another post.) During my waiting period for something to come of all my applications I was also looking for a car. Things were going slowly in the natural but I had determined in myself to enjoy it. I knew that God would provide for everything I needed in His time. Yes, there were times when I just wanted to sit and cry out of frustration over how things looked but.....then came the call that I never expected. 

      My dad called me one afternoon. When he began to talk I felt like I was in a dream. A couple that I knew from home had prayed about it and felt that God wanted them to give me a car. Yes, you read that correctly. Give...ME....a car.... I felt like I needed to pinch myself. Goodness, even now, after several weeks, I still feel the need to pinch myself about it. Anyway, so I became the proud owner of a 2004 Ford Focus at no cost to me. There is no doubt that God orchestrated the whole thing.

     Then came the interview that I knew I would get. I went through it and gave it my best. Yet, in the end, they chose someone else. At first I panicked. All I could think of was, "what if I don't get a job? What if I can't get a job even at Wal-Mart? My loans kick in and I'll be stuck with nothing...." Talk about taking my eyes off of God's provision and focusing on the the world's view on employment rates right now. 

      Then a friend at church told me about a small pest control company that was looking for an office manager. She explained it would basically consist of making appointments and dealing with the financial aspect of it. There was something about it that just struck me so I decided to apply and after a couple of days of praying, on both of our accounts, I accepted the position. It has been such an amazing blessing in offering me time and space to grow in ways I wouldn't have been able to in other positions as well as offering me the freedom to come up with creative ideas for helping the company.

    The thing is that I never would have imagined God orchestrating all this. I have lived my life knowing "that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28) yet, I've never experienced it to the fullest until the past couple of months. It has taken me to a whole new level. It's like in Malachi 3:10 when God says for us to "try Him now in this...to see if He will not open for us the windows of heaven and pour out for us such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it..." The God of Heaven has proven His faithfulness to me and I know He will continue to do so. <3