Grateful for Growth

Monday, October, 28th

You want me to write????

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."(Philippians 2:13)

I’ve mentioned before in my posts of a painful time in my life exactly four years ago. Through sorrow,hurt, and loss, I was brought to my knees in prayer seeking the only One who could do anything to help my heart and my situation. No person, place, or thing could make it better. This was the place I really started to know God and how much He truly loved me and wanted my attention to be focused on Him. Exactly two years later, right after our second Soul Sister retreat, the leadership team of three asked if I would join them and be a post writer. My first thought was, “I am not equipped to do this”! Of the top 100 things I would want to do or be equipped to do , writing was no where on that list. At that time my writing experience consisted of college term papers, letters to friends and family, and the obligatory thank you note: and I never found pleasure or satisfaction in writing ANY of those things. To say I was asked because I had the "gift" of writing would have been completely laughable. When talking with God I had never even inquired about that gift! To be honest I really don't know why I was asked. However, those painful circumstances had been a time I turned to the Lord and He grew me. It seemed like a very bleak and empty time some of those days but I held on to the notion that God was working on me and my life in ways I was unable to see. I experienced first hand that feeling of the seed being planted and the roots taking hold, yet not being able to see any fruit… as of yet. When the leadership team approached me, I had grown enough in my faith where I had seen the value of just saying “yes” out of obedience and not over analyzing it. I didnt even have to think about it; I just answer "yes". That is not the Madelaine I had previously known, It was a new me. One who was experiencing some of that fruit we are talking about. So there I was, someone who had answered a call ; your new post writer that didn’t know how to write.

I’ve said it a million times,”He doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called”. There is no better way for me to describe what happened to me. It was a stretch for me to dig into scripture and make SURE I was conveying truth in my Monday posts. After all, it wasn't just me reading what I wrote. God knew that accountability was what I needed to keep me growing in the Word. Fear of not doing a good job goes right along with my personality type so I gave it my best efforts. Digging into the Word and writing about it was what took my growth even further and still does two years later. I have found we can pray, pray, and pray but when we receive our instructions , like saying ‘Yes” when asked, we need to MOVE. One of the awesome things about our God is He doesn’t ask us to do anything that we are just not capable of . If He asks, you can be assured He will equip you and you will be filled up with HIM! I really have no idea if my writing makes a difference to anyone else, although I hope it does. I can say it has made all the difference to me. It has grown and stretched me to places I never expected to go and I am now delighted when it’s my day to write. I know I will spend more time with my God. He continues to remind me He is my portion and without Him filling my cup, things feel empty and just don't work .

Thank you, Missy, Dayna, and Chris for asking me and trusting God would equip. God gave you faith in knowing I could do this before I had any idea I would be called.

"being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

Further reading: Colossians 1:10; Colossians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:10

Heavenly Father,

How Your ways are just not our ways and Oh My , aren't we glad?! You knew each one of us before we were formed in the womb, You even know us far better than we know ourselves. Today I ask that You grow each one of us in ways we have never imagined. Show us how big You are and help us to reach far and wide . Prompt us to say “yes” when It’s something that glorifies You. Give us hearts that are excited daily to dig into You and Your word. Teach us and refine us ,Oh Lord. As we enter this Thanksgiving season, let us recognize and praise You for the ways You continue working in our lives. Amen