Hard Lesson

So I've been doing a Beth Moore study of Esther. I have only finished the first week, but something about the timing of it tells me that God is going to use this study to speak to me in a powerful way. The last two weeks have been an extremely stressful time of my life and I have had to learn some very hard lessons in some very hard ways. The beautiful thing about it is that I KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt, God is using these circumstances to teach me.

I strongly dislike (and even this term doesn't do it justice) asking for help. I loathe asking for help. And God, in His infinite wisdom has been teaching me a very valuable lesson in the matter. My car, the lovely "cricket"- as the students so affectionately call it, died this past week. Died...as in...the transmission died...one of the worst things that can happen to your only vehicle.

In a mad dash to figure out how to get it fixed, pay for it to get it fixed (not a cheap job by any means!), and also find transportation for the NINE days that my car would be out of commision...God provided. God provided in a huge way, I was incredibly blessed by the outpouring and graciousness of a few people who shall remain nameless. I had a vehicle to use (for free!), and my car was completely paid for by a few donors who "just wanted to help".

One of my favorite quotes from the Esther study so far has been when Beth Moore writes: "When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever-present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending. And not just in spite of catastrophes. Often because of them. Don't just wait and see. Live and see."

I am learning more and more every day that God puts people in our lives to bless and encourage us... because of the love of God that is in people...lives are impacted and changed. I am learning to trust Him more, in every aspect of my life...not just the things I want to relinquish control over. Because when I trust God, things just turn out better and I come out of the experience having a newfound respect and love for my Creator. It's a beautiful thing.