Trusting God With My Story

Today, I read a tweet that said:

“Do you trust God with the storyline of your life?”

That one pierced my heart a bit, because for as much as I post about living in the moment, loving my story, and trusting its Author, I realized today that if I’m being completely honest, this is something I really struggle to do.

Perhaps, it’s the writer in me, because I’ll take a look at my life and think of a number of different nice and neat ways everything could come together and work out. This could happen like this… And this like this…

That’s not surrendering, though.

And it certainly isn’t trusting God with the storyline of my life.

Within the last year, I’ve faced a number of different disappointments (with creative pursuits, with relationships, and even just with myself), and I think I haven’t always known how to handle those or what to do with them.

I know the logical answer is to take them to God, trusting that He works everything out for our good and His glory. And I’ve done that a little bit, but I’ve also tried to solve some of the issues myself — jumping in there with my red editor’s pen and telling God, Well, what if this happens like this? Or, What if we rearrange this part in this way?

In the midst of all of that, this is what I realized I’ve been learning:

People will disappoint us, and we will disappoint ourselves. Circumstances and timing and answers to prayers will not always make sense. We will feel stuck and frustrated and discouraged when we can’t clearly see the path we’re supposed to be following.

But we forgive — each other and ourselves. We find reasons to be thankful, even when it hurts. We look forward with hope, and we believe that God is good, and that He is making sense of the mess, even when we can’t see the tiniest bit of order amongst all the pieces.

And above all else…

We trust.

We stop wrestling with the plot and the characters and the length of each chapter, because we know, deep down, that He is an infinitely better storyteller than we are, and that our version of the story pales in comparison to the one He is ever-so-faithfully writing for us.

Women Praying Boldly: A Good Woman

{image from the Good Women Project}

I recently came across the Good Women Project.

The heart of the project’s mission is this: We are seeking to provide a place of trust, honesty, truth and encouragement for both single and married women as we wrestle through life together.

As I was reading their article, Profile of a Good Woman, the section about a good woman recognizing a good man when she sees one really stuck with me.

The article says that a good woman recognizes a good man…

Not only because of his full head of hair, the dreaminess of his eyes, the size of his bank account or the breadth of his shoulders.

Instead, she is captivated by his resemblance to The Father

The testimony of his brotherhood

The strength of his character

His courage against opposition

His humility in his flaws

His commitment to growth and learning

His compassion and kindness

His protective arm about her shoulders

His complete acceptance of her story

The light in his eyes whenever she walks into a room

Check out the rest of the article, here.

I wrote the list in my journal to refer to and pray about, as I continue to pray boldly. I’ve also been continuing my month-long reading about the Proverbs 31 woman. Each day that I read through that section, I think the words settle into my heart a bit more.

In this season, I’m so thankful for all I’m learning and look forward to what God will continue to teach me.

Wishing you a beautiful start to your week,

{ k }

Women Praying Boldly: Waiting

{love this photo by Arrow & Apple}

I believe in the way God knits two people together when they stand before Him on their wedding day. Something sacred happens in that moment, something that will, with grace and intention and faith and hard work, build upon itself and grow in power and beauty and durability, with each passing year.

(Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist)

I believe in that, too — and even though I’m not there yet in my own life,  I do hope to see that heart’s desire fulfilled. The truth is, if I’m honest, I certainly thought by this point in my life I’d be engaged or married — or at least dating that person. But to re-quote something else from Shauna Niequist: “Life with God at its core is about giving your life up to something bigger and more powerful. It’s about saying at every turn that God knows better than we know, and that His Spirit will lead us in ways that we couldn’t have predicted.”

So, that’s what I’m trying to do. Trust — really trust — that He knows better than I do, and that I’m on the path I’m on for a reason.

And I’m praying boldly.

As I wrote about, here, I’m participating in an online prayer group for women who want to pray boldly for their future spouses/marriages. Periodically, I’ll be posting updates like this one, sharing with you how prayer is working in my life and what the Lord is revealing to me through the process of being a part of a focused prayer group.

August update:

A few days ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to start reading Proverbs 31:10-31 each day for the next month. I’m excited to see how He uses this in my life and my walk. I know I can be living these attributes out now, blessing others, while I wait on the Lord.

So far, I’ve been focusing on her strength. (The word “strength” appears a few times in Proverbs 31:10-31.) A few days ago, I looked up passages with the word strength and jotted them in my journal, asking myself, what does strength look like for a Godly woman/wife, and in what ways does the Lord provide strength to all who seek him?

* * *

I’m excited to continue to learn and pray. And in this season of singleness and waiting, I feel truly blessed to be discovering more and more of who God created me to be. He inspires me on a daily basis and reveals new adventures and creative pursuits that are wonderfully fulfilling. He blesses me with incredible friendships that add color and meaning to my days and family time that nourishes my spirit. So, even on the days when I look at my life and think, When God? I’m ready, and I’m so excited to meet a Godly man, a best friend to share my life with…

I know I have to trust where I’m at and appreciate this season for all it has to give me.

If you’re particpating in our Women Praying Boldly initiative, know that I’m praying for you, and I look forward to hearing your own unique stories. Let me leave you with this last encouraging quote from Shauna Niequist:

Part of being a married couple means that you create a new identity together, woven from your experiences and histories and lives…

I love that, because I know that my history will add to his, and together, our story will unfold exactly as it’s meant to — at just the right time — with God orchestrating each and every beautiful moment.

{k}

Women Praying Boldly Initiative: Will You Join Us?

{You can find this beautiful Pray printable by Taidye Original, here.}

My friend Carmen is kicking off an awesome prayer initiative over at her blog, Life Blessons. The focus is women coming together and praying about their desire for marriage.

Here’s what Carmen writes about Women Praying Boldly:

When I was single, it became a very large burden on my heart to pray about finding a godly man. I truly believe that because I prayed so earnestly and brought that desire to the Lord, that he answered my prayers and wove my love story within months.

I also believe that we not only should pray these things (meaning, godly desires of any kind!) for ourselves but also for one another. Because I saw how that prayer worked so miraculously in my own life, I make it a point to continue to pray for women I know who have that same desire.

And I’d like to take this opportunity to reach out to any of the readers here who would like to share in that, as well.

Here’s what I propose: I would love to start a Women Praying Boldly initiative (taken from Candice Watter’s book Get Married) here on this blog. If you are interested in praying for a godly husband and want others to rally around you in prayer, then fill out this form here with your contact information. 

* * *

I’m really excited to be a part of this initiative, and I think it will be so inspiring to see the way God works in the lives of all who participate. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I think it’s even more powerful when we join together with other believers in prayer.

You can read more about the Women Praying Boldly Initiative, here.

I hope you’ll join us.

{k}