"Not my will, but Thine, O Lord"

    The beginning of last year we were planning on going on furlough, and I was getting so excited! I was looking forward to seeing all my family and friends again, getting to see snow, yes, and even going to Culvers e.t.c. (well, now you know my favorite restaurant...;-)

    Then things didn't work out as planned, plans were changed, and I would have to wait a whole year and a half more. Right then a year and a half seemed longer then it ever did before! I started asking God the "why" question, wondering why He had to ruin my plans. Forgetting then, all about God's plan always being best and letting anger and bitterness take over. If only I had accepted His plan first off I could have escaped the miserableness I suffered. 

    It was as if God was just waiting for me to say "Not my will, but Thine, O lord" and then He could carry out His perfect plan. It was when I stopped praying, "Lord why can't we go now?" and started praying, "Lord give me patience and help me to see Your perfect plan" that I once again was enjoying the joy He gives. (1 Samuel 12: 24 - "...for consider how great things He hath done for you.") - I love this verse!

    This year  -through none of my own doing but by God's grace-  I have fallen in love with Kenya (more than ever), and with getting to know God better throughout the year. By having to rely on Him -daily-  for patience, He has taught me so many more things! Even if the delay was only for my trust and dependence on God to grow, it was worth it!

    All this to say, I'm thankful -now-  for the delay and for God showing me the reason He changed my plan to fit His even better one. Psalm 106:1 - "Praise ye the Lord...for He is good."

By - Ashlyn Elaine