"When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless, until I entered God's sanctuary."
Psalm 73:16
The last few weeks have been a blur. Previously, the blog had been steady. Every week I was writing and it was good. And then... chaos.
My husband and I own a small business. Recent changes left us with uncertainty for our main source of income. As we contemplated the future, a door opened with an opportunity. It seemed promising.
We prayed - oh, how we prayed. We had reservations. We weren't comfortable with the debt required and we had concerns over the pressure. Yet we rationalized that any business venture requires capital. And experience had taught us to lessen the pressure by minimizing overhead.
We felt God had granted this opportunity and would bless it. So we pursued. We held business meetings on top of business meetings and applied for loans.
As we added these tasks on top of our already full schedule, my husband continued working 12-hour days to operate his business, I continued helping pregnant women through our nonprofit which suddenly had clients coming out of the woodwork, and smack in the middle of it all was my mom's visit that had already been rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence.
Drowning in duties and trying to spend time with my mom, I let the blog fall silent for the past few weeks.
Then Mom went home and everything was lined up and we were good to go ---
And it all fell apart. Six weeks of chaotic scrambling all ended with a defeated fizzle.
And honestly, we don't understand why. Our low-overhead plan of purchasing used equipment nixed the deal.
Really?
And the clincher? We were both disappointed, yet strangely relieved.
This morning, my devotion included this verse: "When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless, until I entered God's sanctuary." Psalm 73:16.
God's sanctuary provides hope. Without understanding, it seems hopeless that we did all that work for nothing. But our God assures us our time wasn't wasted. We gained new perspectives, worked together through difficulties, and remained patient, loving and respectful with one another. (Honestly, how did that happen?)
Now we realize that our reservations were legitimate. While certain aspects of that opportunity seemed like the answer to our prayers, other aspects proved overwhelming.
When we enter God's sanctuary, we have hope in HIs protection. We have hope in HIs provision, according to His perfect plan and in His perfect timing.
This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for God's provision, protection, and purpose for our lives. We are thankful for faith, family, and friends... and the food of celebration.
Most of all, we are thankful for the peace found in God's Sanctuary.
Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5 NLT
What are you THANKFUL for this Thanksgiving?
Share Dianne's writing with family & friends.
BOOKS MAKE WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!
Find books by clicking on the image below.
