This is just a personal update on my life. Hope you enjoy it, and I hope it inspires you to keep on keeping on!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Last night I sat at the top of The John Hancock building in Chicago, Ill. and tears came to my eyes as I thought of God’s goodness to Ben and I. One year ago this week Ben went to Boston, Mass. to an Ebay conference as a part of a team from our church. As he was preparing to leave, we had no money for him to even take for food! We were at the point of desperation to save our home, and to save our family. I have written about a few of the things God did to provide for us during that time. So miraculous they were! But last night I could not believe how far we had come in only a year.
I sit at the ebay conference WITH my husband today. Yesterday we arrived in Chicago, and took advantage of the day. We took a riverboat cruise, went to the famous Navy Pier and last night at sunset we sat at the top of the John Hancock building. I was amazed to think of all we could do in one day, and how little we could do last year this time. Then God showed me how different my perspective is on this side, and how He saw me today a year ago! This came to me as I watched the cars, and the boats, and all the activity from 96 stories above. I realized from where I was sitting that I had a much better vantage point of what lie ahead for that driver heading down Michigan Avenue than he had. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what God is able to see for us.
I have said recently that we faced financial crisis a year ago like the rest of the nation faces today. A testimony to friends and family of what God can bring you through. The threat of foreclosures, the rising costs, the uncertainty of future leaders in America, none of that is anything to fear when your trust is in the Lord.
I know this sounds so cliche’, and a year or 2 ago I might would have agreed with you, but I know that a year, even a month, or a day from now your whole life can look totally different. Your perspective can change, your eye’s view can be lifted.
I think the key is seeing it from a different view point even from where you sit right now where you are. God has good things in store for you. If you could see and know all the blessings and good He has for you, you would not be able to physically contain the overwhelming feeling of humility, gratitude, and awe. I am only tasting a very small piece of it, and my heart at times feels as though it were going to come out of my chest. And I know and trust that this is only the beginning!!
I want to say another THANK YOU to those who walked with me, and carried me through the last year and two years. You know who you are, and I love you so much for loving us, supporting us, and walking through the fire with us. Thank you for your prayers, and for helping me lift my view to see the bigger picture, when I could only see the moment. All that is good in our lives is partly, and greatly due to you! Love you!
Thanks so much for your post! I love personal testimonies and I need to hear yours. My husband and I were engaged high atop the Hancock building 9 years ago last month and I feel like were in our own kind of crisis today. Ours doesn’t look the way yours did, but God is so faithful! It’s good to be reminded that He’s working behind the scenes and that things can completely turn around so very quickly! Thanks again!
What a great job writing your post. I really enjoyed thinking about how much life can change in a year. I am glad things are better for you. Thanks for giving me perspective!