God's PROVIDENCE

Fifteen years ago today I met my husband.

I wasn't looking for him and he wasn't looking for me.

I was 23 years old and one year into deliverance from a bad situation. I was living in a fog ... wondering if this was all there was to life and if so, I wasn't so sure I wanted any part of it.

I was a new Christian, wanting so badly to understand the bible and find some comfort there, but just didn't know how.

My friend, Jennifer called and asked if I would come visit her at school. She went to NC State. How could I go? How would I get there? I was so crippled by fear, I couldn't picture myself driving anywhere other than to work and back home - certainly not three hours away. I had spent the previous 5 years listening to someone I had trusted tell me I wasn't worth anything and I couldn't do anything.

I had applied to colleges all over the state only so I could receive the packets in the mail with my name on them. A glimmer of hope, but knowing I could never muster the courage to do anything different.

No, I couldn't go. I'm fine staying where I am.

But, she persisted and enticed me with tickets to the State/Carolina basketball game (I'm a Carolina fan!). So, I agreed ... only because Jennifer's mom decided to go. Only hitch was, I had to follow her in my car.

The heaviness was so strong as I pulled onto the interstate. What was I doing? Turn back! But, after crying non-stop halfway into the trip, I started to feel like I was being set free. I could breathe. Wait, I can do this. I can really do this.

I settled into the rest of the trip and enjoyed being by myself. I prayed a lot eventhough I didn't understand a lot about my relationship with my new Savior. He and I were just becoming acquainted. I knew He had saved me and I was changed, but I was terribly new at relying on Him for direction.

Once in Raleigh, we pulled into an apartment complex that I thought was Jennifer's. Turns out .. it was her boyfriend's apartment.

Oh, and her boyfriend had a roommate.

A really cute roommate!

Enter: my future husband.

I literally knocked on the door and Eric answered. (Kind of puts a hole in the theory "God's not going to bring your mate to your doorstep", doesn't it?)

That day just gave me a tiny glimpse of what my future held. Eric was days away from graduating college and I was learning what it meant to rely on God for healing.

Eric accepted a job in Pennsylvania and we lost touch for more than a year. But God ...

God was showing me I could do more than I thought I could. I found enough courage to move away from home, get a job that I loved and attend college at night. Eric was transferred back to Raleigh and the rest is history.

With the bible study I'm in and all this 'talk' of God's providence, I cannot get away from all the ways He has maneuvered me .... positioned me .... setting me up for his divine healing, blessings and restorations. I'm reminded if I am obedient, he WILL deliver me from fear and He WILL set my feet on a solid rock. He WILL see me through to an abundant life ... the one He intended for me all along. The one I could never have imagined for myself.

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give them BEAUTY FOR ASHES,

the oil of JOY for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

Isaiah 61:3

"I will restore to you the years

that the locusts have eaten."

Joel 2:25

Thank you, Heather, for the pictures. We love them!