Sustenance

"The will of God will not lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you."

"Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice everything is lost by failure to obey God's call."

"Listen closely to hear the King of the Universe speak … loving words to your heart: 'Whatever I have my dear will now be yours and whatever belongs to me now belongs to you. I now devote all the strength that flows from within me to protecting and caring for you!'"

A good friend, and prayer warrior, wrote these words on a card and gave it to me at church tonight. She did not know the impact these words would have on me. I was struggling with the feeling of inadequacy in regards to Passion Ministries. It takes so much out of a person to build a ministry and I was not sure how much more I had to give at this point in my life. It seems a different child is sick each week; I cannot keep up with the house so how can I keep up with a class and a ministry. Greg is gone this week, which has added to the stress. I am battling migraines again, something I have not battled in years. I know the Toney family has been under attack from Satan for quite a while. My strength has been diminishing more and more each week. The cry of my heart has been "How much longer, God?"

I know Greg and I are called to ministry and we know we are doing what we are supposed to be doing right now, but sometimes knowing just isn't enough. Tonight, this hand written note given to me by a friend was God's way of letting me know that no matter what God is giving me the grace I need to stay on the course He has for us. It was a spiritual shot of pick me up, so to speak.

It is a struggle sometimes to give up my personal time and work on our ministry, so my sacrificial giving has been a challenge as of late. You feel at times that what you do is not worth the time, money, or energy. As a human, we desire to see results immediately, but God does not work on our timeline. I know we are making positive impacts on the lives of the couples in our class and in turn, the church. Once again, in my humanness, knowing just is not enough sometimes. The words included in this note covered my thoughts, feelings, and frustrations as well.

If God is willing to remind me that every promise in Him is yes and amen, His strength is perfect, and He is willing to protect and care for me, who am I to challenge Him? I know the promises in the Bible are for me, but sometimes God needs to nudge me and remind me of His perfect will. I am so thankful for a friend willing to be obedient and take the time needed to write the words God gave her to give to me.

What a blessing!