I never expected life to change for me. I was content with the life I'd been handed by God. It is a good life, but it has changed. These last 3 months have been challenging to say the least. Bouts of loneliness, aimlessness, foreign travel, and the absence of my other half have been difficult.
Life has changed because the Lord pleased. It wasn't my doing, it was the doing of the world around me, and the career of my husband. Little did I know last June that I would be sitting here alone typing about the life I've come to know. The "new normal" has just begun, I'm afraid. I believe, with Ben's success over seas, that he will now be a world traveler for years to come. He loves the big cities. He thrives on challenges that take him from his comfort zone. He is a great success and I'm so proud of all that he's been able to accomplish with his job. I can't say enough about how steadfast, resilient, and effective in what he has chosen for his career. He has made our lives easier in the process, although at this very moment, I would not say that 'easier' is a word I'd use.
Life. Now my life is more about me. I sleep and wake when I please. I am a lady of leisure. I don't pride myself on that, but I do enjoy it. I have been able to become slightly successful in my own ventures, thanks to God. My days are filled with what I choose. I work on things that need doing, and I am able to create and design for clients with ease. I don't think that the new normal is to be praised for that, but the Lord knew what my life needed, and what I could glorify Him in, so He has created my life despite my efforts.
Perspectives have changed. I see life in a new way now. I hadn't seen things this way before. My horizons have been broadened. I appreciate things more now. My partner, my job, my life, my home, my family, and my friends. I have been able to expand in all of those things since August 1. My God has allowed me the wisdom and insight to see the people in my life, see needs that weren't apparent to me before, and to have the time needed to be successful in changing lives. I love more. I reach out more. I'm an introvert at my core, but being alone for this time has brought me to a place of needing people more than ever before. I was able to meet with two people today, who I rarely see. Facebook is our normal mode of communication, but today was face to face. I spent hours with a childhood friend who I never see today. She was such a blessing to me, and she allowed me to see what her life has been, and what she has been in the midst of that. What a brave and well rounded human being. My second friend has conquered cancer, and she gives me a sense of family and love that no one else gives me. I see her as a real warrior, and I am blessed to know her.
To have the ability to broaden myself in these ways has been very beneficial for me. I have reached a new level of being within all of this. What a blessing it is to be a blessing to others! If you have a chance, reach out. Be real. Open your heart to others. They need you! They are who you're here for. God has a plan, and if you allow it, He will open doors to do the work He has placed us here to do. Be a blessing, it doesn't take much!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
The Lord Knows...
I've been living a different life this last 2+ months. My partner in life has a job that has taken him across the sea since August 1, and I may not see him until Thanksgiving at this point. I have learned to be self sufficient, more so than ever before. The Lord has been with me, and He keeps things within the boundaries of what I can handle with His help.
Being in London visiting for a month's worth of time since August, and having spent an additional 2 weeks in Italy and France in May, I've had my share of travel for the year. This last trip I was feeling uneasy about where my life is going. Life has become transient in a way - less so than Ben's - but still difficult in a way that I haven't experienced before.
This last season of my life I've dealt with a lack of work, loneliness, confusion, fear, and overcoming difficulties on my own that I never anticipated. It has been a learning experience for me. I've been blessed with the ability to work alone, and on projects that were deemed "man's work" and have thrived in that. For those moments of overcoming, I'm grateful. Right now I'm not sure the winter will be as easy to tolerate. I anticipate different things that I'm not used to handling myself. I know that the Lord is with me always, and He will provide all I need in order to accomplish and excel in the things life throws at me.
Since this last trip over seas, I've had the blessing of being asked by no less than 7 clients, new and old, to do work for them including graphics, illustration, logo design, etc. I'm also waiting on a decision to be made on an interview I had just before leaving for London October 1. So far, my first day back in the US, I've had confirmation of work from all of them. I'm blessed. The Lord knew that I would be alone and lacking much in the way of distraction. This is the perfect distraction, because it allows me to add to our income. He knows who I am, so intimately, that His work in my life comes along right when I need it. I have had the faith and understanding of His work in me to realize when He is working and when He is asking me to wait on His timing. Although it's very difficult to be still and wait, I know that when I do, I'm honoring Him, and honoring His great work. I can't do anything that He can do, and I know that. His timing is best, however difficult it may be. These last 4+ years have been a learning experience, and a challenge to my patience, faith, and trust in the Lord.
I encourage my friends and followers to sit quietly in the moment of confusion. To listen closely to what the Lord is saying and doing. He IS speaking. We need to listen. When we don't hear, WE are the ones not finding our silence. God has not ever moved, we do. We move away and closer to the Lord, depending on our circumstances. It's easy to be moved by life's difficulties and blessings. It's most difficult to not hear from God. But I've known both - the silence of not hearing His will for me, and the beautiful sounds of His blessings on me. It takes practice. It takes time... but He is always there, speaking in His still small voice.
Thank you for all of you who read my words and bless me with your friendship. I hope you're blessed as well.
Being in London visiting for a month's worth of time since August, and having spent an additional 2 weeks in Italy and France in May, I've had my share of travel for the year. This last trip I was feeling uneasy about where my life is going. Life has become transient in a way - less so than Ben's - but still difficult in a way that I haven't experienced before.
This last season of my life I've dealt with a lack of work, loneliness, confusion, fear, and overcoming difficulties on my own that I never anticipated. It has been a learning experience for me. I've been blessed with the ability to work alone, and on projects that were deemed "man's work" and have thrived in that. For those moments of overcoming, I'm grateful. Right now I'm not sure the winter will be as easy to tolerate. I anticipate different things that I'm not used to handling myself. I know that the Lord is with me always, and He will provide all I need in order to accomplish and excel in the things life throws at me.
Since this last trip over seas, I've had the blessing of being asked by no less than 7 clients, new and old, to do work for them including graphics, illustration, logo design, etc. I'm also waiting on a decision to be made on an interview I had just before leaving for London October 1. So far, my first day back in the US, I've had confirmation of work from all of them. I'm blessed. The Lord knew that I would be alone and lacking much in the way of distraction. This is the perfect distraction, because it allows me to add to our income. He knows who I am, so intimately, that His work in my life comes along right when I need it. I have had the faith and understanding of His work in me to realize when He is working and when He is asking me to wait on His timing. Although it's very difficult to be still and wait, I know that when I do, I'm honoring Him, and honoring His great work. I can't do anything that He can do, and I know that. His timing is best, however difficult it may be. These last 4+ years have been a learning experience, and a challenge to my patience, faith, and trust in the Lord.
I encourage my friends and followers to sit quietly in the moment of confusion. To listen closely to what the Lord is saying and doing. He IS speaking. We need to listen. When we don't hear, WE are the ones not finding our silence. God has not ever moved, we do. We move away and closer to the Lord, depending on our circumstances. It's easy to be moved by life's difficulties and blessings. It's most difficult to not hear from God. But I've known both - the silence of not hearing His will for me, and the beautiful sounds of His blessings on me. It takes practice. It takes time... but He is always there, speaking in His still small voice.
Thank you for all of you who read my words and bless me with your friendship. I hope you're blessed as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)