The day didn't start out refreshing. When I arrived at work I had received an email from Amy, our Office Manager. She was resigning. I was prepared but it didn't really seem to lessen the emotions that were beginning to amass within me. For the most, I could sum them up in two ways, I was both sad and glad.
I could spend hours telling you why I am sad to see Amy leave. She is simply one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am so blessed that God has brought her into my life and has allowed our paths to cross. She has been a rock in my life especially during the difficult time of caring for and then eventually the loss of my dad. She has taught me how to laugh at myself and with her, you can pretty much say anything - anything. Thank you Amy for being a faithful friend. You leave a void that is impossible to fulfill and you are already dearly missed.
Why am I glad? I am glad because I know this is God's will for Amy, the company and indirectly me. I am being reminded of something God taught me years ago, He never leaves us in one place forever. Being a part of God's will means we move and we change. Life changes. We are getting an opportunity to witness God's will being fulfilled and seeing how He continues to provide for Amy and her family. Praise God! I am not really sure yet how this fits into God's will at the office but I trust that it does. He wouldn't call Amy elsewhere without a purpose that works for all directly and indirectly involved. Romans 8:28 states,
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
One of the feelings that this has stirred within me has been the desire to see resolution in some areas of my life. There are several things in my life that I feel God has placed on my plate to challenge me, mold me, and to bring glory to Him. I have spent the evening in my favorite spot with instrumental worship music in the background, a wood wick candle burning that makes a crackling noise, listening to the rain and reading. I have read many things that have ministered to my heart and now I am refreshed. His promises are true and even when we don't feel it, need to trust it. Our feelings will deceive us and they will drive us the wrong direction if we let them. Trust in God's truth and He will lead us down the right path.
Sometimes the challenges in my life seem more then I can bear. I love these verses that my friend Jill shared with me the other day.
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed..." 2 Corinthians 4:8 -9Have you ever stopped to think that the afflictions you are experiencing are for the very purpose God has for you? Do you often as God to deliver you from your afflictions? I do. I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask for deliverance. He wants us to ask. However, sometimes maybe the very affliction is the purpose. Maybe the challenges I have at work are simply only to mold me and to change my heart to be more like Christ.
"Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." John 12:27Tonight my heart is refreshed and I am ready to begin thinking about a new life at work without Amy. It is still sad and it will take me some time to adjust. However, my feelings of my heart have finally caught up with the truth that was in my head.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
