in His time {encouraged}

Every morning my inbox is blessed by a beautiful devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Some days my days fly by and I can't read them until days later.  As I was talking and venting to my mom the other day she asked me, "Have you read the Proverbs 31 devotional from today yet? It is all about us!"  What I love about this is A) I got my mom connected to these devotionals last year and now she's passing them along to me and B) moms always know the words your soul need to hear.

Here is just a snippet from the devotional by Lynn Cowell:

“This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.” Numbers 8:4 (NIV)

"Perhaps you too are caught in the frenzy of trying to get everything done. Do you ever lay awake at night wondering if you’ll finish the tasks on your list? I want to encourage you to try something that has helped me. Tomorrow, before your feet hit the ground, tell the Lord: “This is Your day, not mine. Whatever You want me to do, I will do. Whatever You don’t want me to do, I won’t.”

Throughout the day, as your desire to get more done in less time moves in, and stress tries to take over, repeat your prayer. Soon you’ll discover that handing the details of your day over to God will lead you out of chaos and into His plans for peace and purpose in your life!"

Lately I have been feeling as though I'm fighting against what God has planned for me.  As my master's program plugs along I get less and less sleep, and I can't help but think when will it get better?  When will the juggling act of life settle down?  When can we move onto our next stage of life?  Last week I definitely faced the truth and got down to pray to God.  I prayed that God would bring me joy in this stage, I thanked Him for everything He has given us, I asked Him to show me how to serve Him in this day.  Truly giving each day up to Him, acknowledging that each day is a gift from God, and remembering that each day also has a purpose has made a profound difference.

I trucked along with the week and then the overwhelming feeling of life took over again.  My mom's words to go read the devotional was in the back of my head as well as hearing her tell me that we are always on the fast track for the next stage in life.  I have truly been encouraged to slow down, take each day at a time, and remember that the intricate details in my life have been mapped out by God.   

I'm absolutely in love with this!  It completely speaks to me and reminds me to enjoy this season and phase of our life.  

Today I met with a parent that is helping me train teachers at my school on a new reading assessment.  This is exactly what I am going to school for and I was completely in my element to work with her.  As we were discussing how our training will go and analyzed the elements of the assessment and how it relates to students' reading, I acknowledged God's plan.  Through my schooling I am absorbing and learning SO much!  And, it directly helps me job!  I left feeling filled with hope.  It was confirmation that God's plan is the right plan for me, right now.  

As I was driving to work this morning I was just swooning over how beautiful the clouds were.  I loved  seeing God's beauty open up before me.  I loved slowing down and looking at His beauty right now.