God Speaks

(public domain)

Have you ever had an experience like this before?  Maybe you were caught up in your own self, or you were expecting a dramatic answer to your pleadings to God. Waiting and waiting for an answer to come.  Maybe you weren't expecting an answer from God at all, when suddenly, there it is...the still small voice.  An experience just like the one had by Elijah. 

1 Kings 19:11-13 (NKJV)

"God’s Revelation to Elijah

Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"

That is the purpose behind this blog.  After working at the same job for twenty years, God shook me up and moved me around.  (More about that later.)  In the midst of this "moving", I began to think about creating a blog to share with others the inspirations that God speaks to me.  His still, small voice is revealed often as I explore nature, explore Scriptures, and seek His answers to life's questions.  The still, small voice of God seemed to be nudging me and I decided to take the leap. Come along and enjoy the ride.

(photo credit: Kari Farnell)

Now, let's talk about how God moved me. After my daughter graduated, in 2015, from the local Christian school at which I worked, I began looking around at other job opportunities thinking I no longer NEEDED to work there in order to pay tuition for our kids. I searched for years. One year I even put in about 20 resumes and had I believe 10 interviews, but no one wanted me. I started the 2018-2019 school year with the same mindset; somewhat satisfied and somewhat not satisfied.  I would cry out to God saying, “God tell me what to do”. With no direct answer, job opportunities would appear and I would apply and be denied or never interviewed. Finally around April 2019, I decided, “Ok, since I’ve found nothing else, I guess God wants me to stay where I am.” So I gave up looking, gave in to God and determined to stay put. Having finally given up MY search and MY thoughts on where I should be, God put His plan into motion. 

Isaiah 55:8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.  (NASB)

Around mid-July 2019, after working there for 20 years, our principal text me to see if I would be willing to work part-time and do some basic record-keeping duties instead of teaching. I knew that there were big changes in store for the school as the principal was retiring and the budget was tight. My husband and I have always lived paycheck to paycheck so we both knew that a part-time salary was not going to work in the end. At the time, I accepted her offer, because I knew that if I didn’t, the only other option was to let me go and I felt part-time employment was better than no employment. 

The very next day, I was able to put in several applications at local public school systems and was called for an interview immediately. There were three interviews in total and then I sat and WAITED, getting more and more nervous about what was going to happen when school started and I only had a part-time salary.  I was struggling to keep off of MY focus and trying to see God’s focus; waiting for that still, small voice. Waiting is difficult! Giving things totally to God is difficult!

(public domain)

Psalm 27:14

Don’t give up. Wait for the Eternal in expectation, and be strong. Again, wait for the Eternal.  (The Voice)

Finally, all of the waiting and willingness to give God complete control, paid off! I received a call with an offer of employment without a lot of salary cut and with a better drive (5 minutes from home). So my new adventure begins in September! I thank God for His faithfulness and provision!

Romans 11:1

Now I ask you, has God rejected His people? Absolutely not! I’m living proof that God is faithful. 

Throughout this time, I have looked for and found that still small voice. Sometimes, it answers in a negative and sometimes in a positive, but when we wait and listen, we will hear it!