God's Plan isn't Our Plan

Today I'm going to share a prayer request that was answered a long time ago. I hope that it blesses you and you can see how amazing our God truly is.

I was a second semester sophomore. At that time I was very prideful and considered myself a "good Christian." I guess I did not completely understand the grace of God. Whenever I saw a Christian sin, I thought it was the end of the world. My thought process was completely contrary to what I should have been thinking.
 
God was slowly changing my heart towards my fellow brothers in Christ. There was this one guy who really got on my nerves. He would say a few things that I did not like. I thought he was very immature and I wanted nothing to do with him. But, I noticed that he always wanted to talk to me for some reason. Time after time I blew him off because I thought he was a "bad Christian." I have come to realize that there is no such thing as a good or bad Christian. We are all sinners and deserve God's wrath. But through the cross, our sins are forgiven when we look to Jesus.
 
Eventually, instead of gossiping about this guy or ignoring him when he wanted to talk, I began to pray for him. This was very hard for me because I did not like him much. He bugged me and said a few hurtful things. But, I prayed for him anyway. I prayed that God would build him up to be a godly leader because he was definitely a leader in the community, and in the Christian body here at Eastman. I prayed that God would rid of anything that was hindering him from pursuing Jesus. I ultimately prayed for his growth and understanding of God's Word and how to live it.

What I did not know was that God's plan was different than what I expected.

Last summer, I was given the opportunity to spend more time with this person. He and I actually worked together for the summer session at Eastman. Basically, he was my supervisor. I had to go to him about every problem and receive advice from him about my job as a Resident Advisor.

I saw a huge change in this person. He was more than my co-worker. The nights I could not sleep because I was mourning the loss of my grandfather, he stayed up with me. He even traveled with me at 6am to the funeral in Cleveland. The times I was crying in his apartment because my students were disrespectful to me, he was there. The times I was struggling with my faith, he was there. Time and time again this man shared the gospel with me. He reminded me of God's love, and how Jesus paid the price when He died for our sins on the cross. He said that as long as we look to the cross, we have nothing to doubt or fear. He was so kind, and not the man I thought I knew. God truly built him up to be a godly person, and he soon became a close friend.

This man is now my fiance. I am so thankful that God gave me the challenge to pray for him even though I did not want to. I am so glad that God urged me to rethink my faith, and apply it to what I think about my fellow brothers in Christ. When I prayed to God, he heard my prayer and continued to help Sterling grow in his faith. Not only that, but God was preparing Sterling to be my husband. I feel so blessed, and I can only thank God for helping me to overcome my fears and selfishness. All the glory goes to Him! Praise God for His power and wisdom.

God Knows

Good morning, readers :)
Within the past month, God has answered my prayers in an unexpected way, and I would like to share!
 
I have realized that God really knows who we are. He even listens to us when we aren't necessarily praying. God knows our thoughts and our desires. He knows what we want and need in life. God will provide for us, as long as we love Him, and it is according to His will.
 
Psalm 139: 1-5 "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me."

Next year I am living off campus. Money is really tight now in my family and I'm working as much as I can in order to prepare myself for next school year. I need pots and pans. I need a place to put my clothes into. I need a lamp. I need a car to do my student teaching. There are so many things I need in order to live off campus, and it's making me nervous because it is so expensive. God knows that I am worried about my plans for the summer and for the school year in the fall.
 
When you love God, God will provide. Out of the blue, I've been given so many things for next year. For instance, my mom randomly bought me one of the most expensive pot and pan sets (that lasts a LIFETIME!) for a super super cheap price. She also bought me a lot of baking supplies also for very cheap. I've also been offered their very nice bedroom set. Wait, what? I was stoked! I've never been so happy in my life about pans and furniture for my next home. And how was this possible? My family does not have the money right now to be buying new things. This is crazy! I'm so excited. Just as Matthew 19:26 says, "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

God will provide for us, even when we think it is not possible. But just as the book of Matthew says, things are impossible with man, but with God, all things are possible. Praise Him for being all powerful and all knowing, and for giving to those who love Him.

Romans 8:28 "And we know in that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."