Give Me Faith!

I always find it amazing how many times I write a blog post or journal entry in my head before I actually put my pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. Well MANY things have happened since I was too fat for a roller coaster, so where should I begin?

Let's start with some MAJOR life changes occurring this year in Smithville....Smithville is relocating from the snowiest place on earth in Pennsylvania to the hottest place on earth in Arizona. We just go from one extreme to the other, hey who likes being mediocre? Josh and I have decided to join in a new adventure and move to Surprise, Az and plant a church with my sister and her husband. So far that's about all we know; Josh has no job out there and we can't start looking for a place to live in June. Our move date is set for August 11th and I think a cross country trip with two small kids will be quite the adventure in and of itself. I still don't think I really understand how much faith this move is requiring and going to require of me....

Next on my list is my health...without going into many details, the last few months of 2013 and the beginning part of 2014 proved to be a challenge for me, my health, and my faith. 2013 was a challenging year and as it neared the end I kept saying I couldn't wait to leave 2013 and it's issues and jump into 2014 with a fresh start.  Well guess what, 2013 lingered into 2014 because health, money, and life doesn't care what year it is. Life happens when life happens regardless of the date on your calender. I had to let go of my ideal thought that the new year would bring a less problem filled life for myself. I had to put less faith in the new year and more faith in Jesus! For now my health issues seem to be resolved even though there are many lingering questions. I have fear things will creep back up and I am once again finding myself seeing that five letter word F-A-I-T-H....

Money, money, money...this third point is related to both of my previous points...is this turning into a three point sermon?! Such a preachers wife, haha! So we are moving, my husband has no future job, medical bills piling up...money, money, money...need I say more?! Oh yeah...that word again...faith.....

Let's go back to September 2012 when Josh and I found ourselves at a leadership conference in Greenville, SC singing a new song for us called "Give me Faith".  It was at that conference God confirmed the next step in our lives was coming soon. We just continued to pray having no idea that the beginning of 2013 we would be asked to consider a move across the country. I had forgotten about that little song until my sister led worship and I couldn't figure out how I knew "Give me Faith".  Josh remembered the song from the conference and my question was answered. This song became my ringtone and song of 2013...boy I didn't realize how much this song would mean to me.

 Typically I see new themes for each new year because I like neatness like that but guess what...that theme of faith just will not leave me alone! Once again that lesson of letting go of my time calender. Before the song "New Season" by Israel Houghton he says "seasons aren't governed by clocks and calenders, seasons are governed by revelation and truth"...that song has been my song through many seasons. Anyway, when will I get that tidbit into my heart!

So I read a devotional talking about "one word" for the year and guess what word God put into my heart...FAITH...yep! So here I am in 2014 with my ringtone still singing "Give me Faith" and my prayer being more of a question of "God do I really have enough faith for ALL this?"  God is faithful, I know that without a doubt, so whatever comes I will hold onto my faithful father. And if I need a reminder I will just call myself to listen to my ringtone!