You Have the Right To Remain Silent

 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

There are often times in life when we are handed an injustice or an unfair decision. This can present itself in many forms and often comes from someone in a place of authority over us. How we respond to the authority reveals much about where we place our trust. When treated unfairly or told to do something we know is not in the best interest of all involved, we want to rage against the "establishment." 

Yes, we have the right to speak our mind. Yes, we have the right to fight against wrongs. Yes, we have a voice to be heard. However, we also have the right to remain silent. In fact, we are told in scripture there are times when it is appropriate to keep our mouths closed and our opinions to ourselves. God is our vindicator. He will fight for us. 

I recently witnessed this type of situation. A court order was given regarding visitation with a child and the custodial parent was threatened with contempt of court if they did not take the child to the court ordered visitations. The parent knew their child was being placed in an unhealthy environment during these visitations. Yet, they felt there was not much recourse since it was something ordered by the authority, the courts. With much stress and concern, they obeyed the court order. The parent had to trust God to protect this child while they were out of their care. 

After several months, the custodial parent was contacted by child services and informed an investigation was being made into the home of the non-custodial parent. The custodial parent never had to say a word to anyone regarding the concerns for their child. While they were obeying the authorities and spending time in prayer every time the child was away, God was at work in ways the parent could not see. 

How many times has this happened in your life? When things that are wrong happen in your life, how do you respond? Do you resolve to take matters into your own hands and blatantly disrespect the authority over you? Or do you trust God to do His job? Do you believe that all things will eventually be revealed? The authority can be a parent, a boss, or a ministry leader. Are you willing to submit to the authority God has placed in your life and give God the chance to work on your behalf? 

If there is an area in your life that causes you to rage or lose sleep, perhaps it is time to lay it down and allow God to fight for you. Stop fighting battles that are not yours to carry. 

How I Became Mrs. Foster. Pt. 1

"My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:5 (NKJV) 

It has been a while since I've written about anything happening in my personal life. I think it is because so much has happened over the last few months I did not know where to begin writing. Many times I wanted to write, but would hear God tell me there are some things best kept quiet. In our world we are overly saturated by social media. We can tell you where people we hardly know had lunch or their favorite sports teams. And yet, often, we know very little about what is truly happening in someone's life. Other times we know far too much information. The events of the last few months have been so precious to me that I have held back from sharing much of the details.  

In order to tell the story of the most recent change in my life, I have to go back to October 19. This is the day I heard a sermon preached by Bishop Tony Miller that impacted me deeply. The main point of the sermon was how we are to break the measuring stick we have placed on God and what He can do in our lives. During this sermon I also heard referenced all God had done in the last year in the lives of the pastors of my church. This sermon penetrated my soul to the core. I began thinking, "What will God do in the next year?" Not only did I begin asking myself what God would do, I earnestly expected God to move in utterly ridiculous ways. In order to keep track of all God would do, I decided to begin journaling the next year of my life.  

Oftentimes we can easily forget how God shows up in our lives. Things happen and we believe we will not forget them, but as life moves from one day to the next, we can easily overlook the ways God has blessed us or moved on our behalf.  

Up until this point I had been on various online dating sites off and on for years. The stories of my experiences were so comical I had mostly given up hope of ever finding anything real. I saw them more as comedic entertainment than as a means of meeting anyone serious. When I heard the sermon by Bishop Miller, I earnestly talked to God about my desire for a husband. I had been struggling with the temptation to "throw in the towel" and compromise on what I knew God had for me. I felt I had reached a breaking point where I simply couldn't take being single any longer and was fighting the urge to settle for less than God's best. I believe, for the first time, I got completely honest with myself and with God regarding where I stood in my relationship feelings.  

I was simply tired.  

This "come to Jesus" moment happened October 19. Two days later, I saw for the first time (through an online dating site), the man who is now my husband.  

More of the story to come later....