The last two and half months have been huge. Huge. Scott and I took a giant leap of faith and I have never felt so challenged, renewed, encouraged, and strong in my walk with the Lord.
I remember the day that Scott told me he felt the Lord's call on his life to ministry. I was not surprised. Just scared. Scared because I didn't know what that would look like for an 8 month pregnant teacher who desperately wanted to stay home with her soon to be baby girl. I know that sounds crazy and a little selfish, but in reality I felt the strong pull on my life from the Lord to stay home. So deep down I was uncertain how we would make it without a full time income (not to mention benefits).
Little did I know that God had BIG plans for us and he was waiting for us to just
trust in him. After much praying and "planning", we realized that there was no way in our humanly feasible minds that we could do this on our own so we decided to trust that God would provide the way and quit trying to work it out ourselves. And he certainly did. It seems that each month, something happened to show us yet again we are in his sovereign hands. Whether that is from money slipped into our pockets from a loving relative for the exact amount needed for groceries, or a big job break, or a scholarship given, or a car paid off, or a door opened to an important relationship. Either way, time and time again He has proven that he is taking care of us.
The next leap of faith we encountered was trusting in the Lord when he guided us to a new Church home. God placed a new desire on Scott's heart to Church Plant, so the next step was leading us to the The Village Church. It was a little scary at first, leaving what was so familiar and so comfortable, but once again He showed us He was sovereign and we needed to trust him.
The few short weeks we have worshiped at the Village have been nothing short of monumental. To say that this is where we are suppose to be in this season of life is an understatement. I have been stretched and grown in ways never imagined, and I can say Scott is definitely learning some great things from some God-centered men.
Shortly after becoming covenant members, and really feeling plugged in, we learned that our Pastor had a brain tumor. Over Thanksgiving his family went through an ordeal only seen on those made-for-t.v. movies. What I have personally witnessed and been part of during this time of tribulation in our new church has taught me to be fearless. We are only promised Jesus. and that is MORE than enough. We are not promised earthly wealth, or good fortune, we are not promised comfort or ease, we are not even promised health.
During this time of what was supposed to be celebration for the expansion of a new Church, I have watched the Church body pray unceasingly, and preach the Gospel fearlessly. The Sunday after the surgery to remove the Tumor our Pastor had, the sermon preached was on Anxiety. "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself." Matthew 6:34
I was challenged. I was challenged by all the verses in Matthew 6 verses 25-34. I was reminded that anxiety is a symptom of your heart worshiping an idol--for what rules your heart rules your life. I was reminded that fear and anxiety doesn't work and when you worry like this you act like an unbeliever! What powerful words. Which brought me back to the season of life we are in, and how we are trying to navigate what lies ahead for our family. This sermon reminded me of the faithfulness of Christ these past few months not only in our family but our Church and how we need to be fearless in Him. He will provide. He has provided. and He is enough.
I am so thankful for a Pastor who preaches with no fear. A Pastor who speaks truth. It is amazing to see what is happening at the Village Church. I just love this place and how it is making our family grow!
*Here is the
video from Matt this past Sunday.
