“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
These words penetrated my heart. What am I clinging to that I cannot keep? What am I not willing to give up? What is it that I cannot lose?
As a young girl, I had my whole life ahead of me. My plans were to marry young and raise a family of four or more children. And then, serve my Lord. The plan was to serve married, not single.
God had other plans. He used me while single.
I’ll never forget how I cried on my 25th birthday. My brother, younger by four years, was getting married. I was still single with no prospects in sight. How was God going to use me single? Oh so, near sighted! Though, I longed to be married, I yearned to follow the Lord’s leading in my life. Taking one of many steps of faith, I set out to serve God single, giving my desire to be married to Him. Not easy. This would be a repeated effort, giving up my desire…my plan…my timing.
That was ten years ago! I married last year, March 3rd. We celebrate our first anniversary tomorrow. God is faithful! And, we are looking to Him to start that family we are both hoping for…yes, even at 35 years of age!
What are you clinging? What’s holding you back from serving God? What are you not willing to lose?
God is able to give you more than what you give Him. Have faith that God will bless you with something better than what you let go of… One of my Bible teachers at New Tribes Bible Institute encouraged his students with this, “You can not dream BIG enough to imagine what God can do through your life.”
One last question: How big is your God?
Thanks for sharing! I think everyone that desires to do God’s will goes through struggles like these.
I married young. At *almost* 20. But there was a time when I *gave up* my married dreams and tried to be content in being single. I didn’t have to wait very long.
I probably gave up *my* dream at 17 1/2, and I married my hubby almost three years later.
But I was in a situation where there were *no* prospects of ever meeting a godly man. I was the only teenage girl in my church.
When I went to college, it was my future husband that sought a relationship with me. Not I. I never ever had a man intrested in *me* before. We were both very cautious in our proceeding of a our relationship. Things didn’t get too serious, until after a year I had met him.
But I see so many women not content with being married, after they threw theirselves at someone and married who they could. They are miserable now.
I remember a quote by Josh Harris that I will never forget. He said, “Those who are not happy being single, will never be happy being married.”
I am glad you a married to a wonderful man now. He was worth the wait I am sure.
God Bless. (((hugs)))
You Said that so beautifully…….thoughts of all that I am holding on to came to my mind…right now I’m holding on to unforgiveness, it’s silly when you think about it, and it’s dangerous. I’ve been praying to have it lifted from me, God is faithful.
Hi,
I just got this post(3/15/08) and see that your post date was 3/1/08. Who knows what goes on out in cyber space!! The GOOD NEWS is that I really needed it today, don’t you just love it when God brings you things right on time? I sure do.
Not to worry about starting a family late, my Mother had my younger brother at age 42, my sister had a baby the same year and she was 23 or 24!!
My Pastor (who has 10 children) often says that God will open the womb when the time is right, look to God, he NEVER gives the wrong directions.
Happy Anniversary, late.