Expand Your Horizon

Published: August 1st 2017 

Reposted from past blog page: 07/21/2024

My word for the last 2 years has been TRUST.  God broke this word down for me in a very special way during a time in Pennsylvania when I was struggling to see the next chapter in our families life.  

T-Truly 

R-Relying 

U-Upon 

S-Saviors 

T-Threshold 

So, today I start a blog about the journey the Lord is taking me and our family on. 

This blog is for me to share my blessings, hurts, and growing times with God.  Without the Lord on my side, I do not know where I would be.  I have learned so much over the years with my walk with the Lord.  So today, I start off by sharing what the Lord has put on my heart this morning during my quiet time with him. 

I was reading in the Book of Mysteries about "The Cosmic Bridal Chamber." It was talking about how a bride prepares herself for her wedding day.  Such preparation and focus she must have on that big event. The bride is also no longer focusing on what she is leaving.  Her home, her family, her friends. She no longer focuses on how comfortable it was or maybe how uncomfortable it may have been. 

If she focused on her present circumstances, on what she was leaving the less she would be focusing on where she was going. Now, she is in her bridal chamber letting go and focusing on what is ahead. In her chamber, the bride must now use everything she has to prepare herself for the wedding and the life that lies ahead of her. And the only way she was able to do that was letting go.      

When I read that, I reflected on several things.

• 1. If you belong to Christ you are his bride and we must be preparing daily for what is ahead of us.  Our time here on earth is temporary.  Our time with the Lord is eternal. We must realize we are not in this world to become more attached to it but less attached.  1 month and 12 days ago our family made a big step of faith and we all moved to North Carolina.  We had lived in such a lovely home in the country of Pennslyvania.  We raised our children there for 22 years. Our parents came and lived with us and we were very active in our church and community.  But, 3 years ago the Lord started to speak to my husband and my heart about possibly moving south.  Our first thoughts were we are heading towards the Florida area.  We were thinking about future, retirement, and my parents.  But, with the last 3 years, the Lord changed our course. Then 1 -1/2 years ago we visited our daughter in North Carolina and we took a trip to Wilmington, NC.  We started praying and asking God what is next. Would this be the area we needed to move too?  The company that my husband works for is a nation wide company and there was a possibility at the time that he could get a transfer in that area. So we prayed and continued to do ministry in Pennslvania as well as looked into the possibility of moving to Wilmington. After my husband spoke to some people in Wilmington, NC, we then continued to pray and lay this thought at the Heavenly Father's feet and asked him if this was His way for us, and for Him to prepare and open and close doors for us. 

That year summer came and gone.  Fall approached us quickly.  In November we received a call from the Regional Manager in NC about a job that came open in a different area for the company that he works for.  They asked him if he was still interested in moving south? He, of course, said yes.  The manager though left Todd know that it wasn't where we first wanted to go (Wilmington) and that he wasn't sure if we would be interested.  He then stated that the area where there was a job opening and by surprise, it was exactly where our daughter lives in North Carolina.  The manager had NO idea about where our daughter lived. So after praying and talking together, we decided to move forward with this open door.  

So, as I was saying reading the devotional on the " Bride and her Chamber" yes the main thought is our time here on earth is temporary and we must be daily preparing for what God has next in our lives. But also it spoke to me in a way that reminded me of what is next in our journey with the Lord.  We can't settle for mediocrity. Sometimes the Lord will want to move us out to a new destination. A new course in life.  But the main focus needs to be what lies ahead. We can not get comfortable in our own surroundings.  Even if you are to live in the area that you live. But you must get up and go.  Things may not be going smoothly in your life right now but God says "It's is time to expand your horizons". Psalm 31:24 says: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. 

It is important to look your self in the mirror and get ready!  Say, "I am not going to settle for mediocrity, and I will TRUST God to help me expand my horizons and keep believing for all that He has for you. We must focus on the goal, set your course, and have the attitude, I'm going to reach my full potential in God. 

Yes, we had to say goodbye for now to our family in friends in Pennsylvania but we have connected in so many deep and wonderful ways with them. It was not easy saying goodbye, packing up and moving on. Yes, tears were shed. But God truly has seen us through this move. This move truly was the hand of the Lord leading us.  He sold our home quickly and found us a lovely home in NC.  

We are all on a course of life. I know that if we stay focus on what is ahead, the Lord will guide all our steps and will bless us above what we even can imagine.  

So my encouragement to you and as well as a reminder to myself we must live today as one preparing for the wedding. Use every moment as a chance to become closer to the Lord and for what he has next.  Do not listen to the lies of the enemy. Dig in and dig deep with the Lord.  You will be amazed on the next chapter. Look for opportunities to minister to others. 

So, what is next for me?  Well again applying what God spoke to me a long time ago in Pennsylvania.  TRUST 

T-truly 

R-resting 

U-upon 

S-saviors

T-threshold 

I know I will have my ups and downs but I will continue to stay on the course the Lord has for me.  He is already surprising me with new opportunities here in NC. God is so good.  He will always guide you to the next step.  He does require us to trust Him and have faith in him. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Blessings;

Until next time.... 

Meaningful Song by our son "Joshua Smith"