GEORGE WASHINGTON, letter to Mrs. George William Fairfax, Sep. 12, 1758
"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." Proverbs 16:9
Two weeks ago my kids and I pulled all items from the loft in our garage. The treasurers of our past brought me back to the thoughts and feelings of those days. Grandma's old chair reminded me of her living room and Christmases spent with family. Grandma's sewing machine reminded me of my desire to learn to sew thwarted by my tremendous lack of patience. And ribbons. Some I don't remember how I won. Each taking me back to the day when I lived and breathed horses. Years ago my husband threw out my medals and trophies (a tremendous sin on his part that I never fail to remind him of whenever the opportunity arises--all in fun, of course).
One photo album revealed the dreams of my youth. A simple line: Will I ever have the ranch I dream of?
A few years back, I went horseback riding with my sister and a childhood friend. We reminisced of the days when we traveled everywhere on the back of a horse. And my friend marveled that I, of all people, would end up married to a computer-geek, Ontario man and live in the most unlikely place to find this country girl: the San Francisco Bay Area. What is more, that I gave up horses in order to move to this unimaginable locale.
But God had a plan. You see, moving here meant following His leading, not my own desires. Obeying Him meant what seemed like a tremendous sacrifice on my part and most certainly one of the greatest steps of faith I'd ever taken. But the rewards are eternal. Because we moved, my husband received Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and eternal life. Because we moved, we became members of a church where each one of my children heard the clear presentation of the Gospel message and were surrounded by people who take a Biblical worldview. Because we moved, each one of my children not only heard the Gospel but received it. To God be all glory and honor and power.
Right now we are again in a place of waiting. God is setting the stage, moving the players, and preparing the script. Soon He will direct my family into a new path. And some sacrifices will be made. Some desires of our hearts changed. Some of our plans thwarted. But ultimately, following His leading will be the best and only choice.
What about you? How have you seen God direct your steps? How have you seen the "Destiny which has the control of our actions" at work in your life?
Thank you, Lynn. Such a good reminder that even when we don't understand, or maybe even like, the route God is taking us, when he's the captain of our ship, we're headed in the right direction.
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Wonderful post, Lynn! Washington was so right about that great force of Destiny, God, who controls and directs our actions. Jay and I have certainly seen this in the moves we've made in our lives, including the latest one from Tennessee to northern Indiana. When we follow His guidance, we find blessings we could never have imagined. And often we don't see His hand guiding us until time has passed and we can look back down the road we traveled to where we are today.
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