Fall 2012 Newsletter

A Tree Planted by the Water

There are many unknowns in life.  As you can imagine, with a baby arriving soon I have been thinking about the future more than I normally do- what kind of mom will I be, how will my daily routine change, what will my ministry look like now that I have a child, how will I know how to be a good wife and mom simultaneously...the questions go on and on.

Unfortunately, I all too often rely on my own strength, and I try to figure things out myself in times of uncertainty.  This is one of my strongest weaknesses and why the Lord loving and constantly brings Proverbs 3:5-6 to the forefront of my mind.  He says to trust in Him with all my heart and not to lean on my own understanding. In all my ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make my paths straight.

When I trust the Lord with my life, He is faithful to direct my paths.  It is a time of peace and assurance that my loving God, who knows what's best for me is in control.  So why do I not trust Him all the time but rely on myself?  Relying on myself and what I think I know only has led to stress, worry, anxiety, and failure.  It is a matter of letting go of self and completely surrendering to Him.  With every minute, I need to be surrendering myself and my future to the Lord, trusting Him to direct my every step and know that He will sustain me wherever He leads me.  Where He plants me, He will faithfully provide everything I need to grow.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord.  For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."  

-Jeremiah 17:7-8    

(These verses were one of the Lord's loving reminders to me yesterday as Jeremy and I were reading our devotions together.  I love how the Lord speaks to us through His Word, giving us exactly what we need at just the right time.)