No Back-Up Plan

I am feeling some unexpected emotions that have caught me off guard.  I have written my last rental check at the apartment and as exciting as that is financially, it is a milestone that I never really gave much thought to.  My lease is up on March 31st at which time I must turn in my key and no longer be a resident.   I have spent the last 4 months unloading my belongings.  At Christmas time, my "gift" to my children were things that I owned that they expressed interest in having and things that I just thought they could use. It caused some laughter and joking about Mom being "cheap", but I think they were appreciative.  Now I have only an air mattress and a few things that must still be distributed. Which brings me to these emotions.

I have ALWAYS had a place of my own. As a child my parents provided a home, then my husband and after he passed I owned our family home and then rented  a couple of apartments.  Now, however, I have put all of my confidence in God providing for my needs.  I would like to be able to declare "God will provide all of my needs" with Christian confidence. Although intellectually I do believe that, emotionally I am feeling insecure and a bit scared. Does this make me less faithful?  I think not, I think it makes me human and a good place for God to put his arm around me and show his care for me.  Nonetheless it is a new and unfamiliar feeling.  My first instinct is to make a back up plan, but I am resisting, instead choosing the path of trusting in the midst of insecurity.

This is it. There is no Back-up plan.  My entire life is wrapped up in "one day at a time". So today I have an amazing place to live, an amazing mission and wonderful people in my life that just 6 months ago I didn't even know. Each morning I wake up, open my curtains and stand in awe of His provision.

 All I can say is " Thank you God, may all that I say, do and think today honor you"
AMEN

Bubble Bath

God is so good.  Last week she was in a homeless shelter...tonight she's taking a bubble bath.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
~Jeremiah 29:10-12

Prayer & Praise:

 Join me in celebrating a young lady who has decided to give birth and keep her baby.
 Pray for me as I travel the several hours to go get her. She is only about 8 weeks pregnant, scared and confused but determined to provide for her baby.

A Peace of Heaven on Earth

I am just over 3 months into my new life here at the "Inn".  I am still in awe of the beauty,  the peace and the solitude this place exudes. Words cannot express how humbled and honored I am to be a part of this ministry   This is undoubtedly the most amazing endeavor that God has assigned me thus far. 

 I know, escorting Joe into eternity was a big one and helping Mom while she was dying of cancer was huge too, but this is bigger still. I don't know the magnitude and will probably only understand it when looking in hindsight from the other side, but I know for sure this IS my destiny.

The years of preparation have been both exciting and painful.  Allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to purge me of my negative destructive thinking about myself, others and of him. Renewing me with the truth of Gods word.and moving into a real  relationship with Jesus. Seeing his  loving and ever faithful nature. Becoming the person, the Connie, that God created me to be..  This is a season of life I am truly happy to be in.   

So here I am, House Mother at a maternity  home for unwed mothers.  In the old days the maternity homes were for good girls who made a bad choice.  Today, I believe they are still good girl, but our world has deteriorated to such a degree that our  good girls are being abuse, neglected, trafficked and destroyed in ways that just 2 or 3  generations ago they would never have believed.

It is absolutely heartbreaking to see the underbelly of a nation that once stood for integrity, had morals and valued a human life devour it's offspring.  We have replaced relationship with technology and values with greed. The woes of our world goes on and on, which I won't do. I'm just glad that in the midst of the chaos God has provided a safe place for  women to come to find peace, comfort, love, restoration and  hope. For some it is  the first time they have ever considered the possibility of  a future for themselves and their precious babies.  

Again, I am honored to have been chosen for such a time as this and I ask for serious prayer, for myself, for this ministry, but mostly for the ladies who have come through here and for those whom God will send.

Be Blessed ,
Connie

"The experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do." - Corrie ten Boom