Never in my wildest dreams did I see it coming! It’s as if I am standing in the ocean, the waves are coming and rolling over me. For a while I can stand against the force. Jumping up as the wave rolls through. Keeping my head above water the water.
Then all of the sudden there is a massive wave that crashes over my head and takes me under. I end up turned completely upside down. I turn over and under. Up and down until I finally get my bearings and make it to shore, sputtering and coughing. Trying to clear my head.
I imagine it is what it would feel like if I was being tossed and turned in a clothes dryer. Around and around until someone opens the dryer door or the timer runs out.
The change started slowly but picked up speed as it went along.
Then I read Every Little Thing by Deidra Riggs. And it was like opening the dryer door or getting out of the ocean. The motion stopped and I could stand up. With a clear head. No coughing. No dizziness. Just clarity.
Once I read it, I knew what I was supposed to do.
It started with a job loss. A job I loved but could no longer do because of circumstances and personalities. Job responsibilities changed, personnel changed and all of the sudden I could do nothing right. I was doing the things I’d done for many years and had received excellent reviews, but all of the sudden my best wasn’t good enough.
I didn’t measure up.
I drew a line in the sand. I informed Human Resources that I would not return in the fall if the job configuration stayed the same. My health, my family life, my personality…all of it was compromised because of the stress and the demands put on me.
I was assured things would be changed. The difficult personalities that didn’t like me or want me in the program would be removed, assigned new support staff and I would stay with the program and personnel I’d worked with for several years. That was exactly what I was hoping would happen!
Three months later I was informed they would not change the job. Did I want it? No way.
But what was I going to do?
In Every Little Thing Making a Difference Right Where You Are
Deidra Riggs writes
“Nothing had changed about Nebraska…But spending time in the wilderness
had changed me…He has a vision in his mind of who we were meant to be,
and he had his mind set on getting us there, one small step at a time.
Some of those steps may take us to places we’d rather not go.
But remember, the glory of God is in the wilderness.”
It was after reading Every Little Thing that I recognized God’s presence in my wilderness. God’s presence in the ocean waves of my life. He was with me as I tumbled over and over in the dryer.
He was making a way for me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.
Deidra writes “God is in the wilderness. Go there. You can trust him to meet you right in the middle of your wild and worn and weary places. Take off your shoes. Tear off your pretense. Skip over the polite conversation. It’s you he wants. Simply you.”
Going into my wilderness is/was frightening, but Every Little Thing gave me the courage to step out.
To do the next thing. Even if I don’t have all the answers. Even if I don’t understand all the whys, wherefores and how-tos. I don’t have to understand. I just have to take the next step.
I won’t let fear keep me from going back into the ocean.
I am taking the next step. I am moving forward. I am walking through the fear while trusting God. And Every Little Thing is pushing me all the way.
Part of taking the next step is launching this new site and venturing into new avenues of service. In celebration, I am hosting several giveaways this month. Today I am honored to be giving away an Every Little Thing gift set compliments of DaySpring. The set includes the Everlasting Light – Shine Necklace and a copy of Deidra’s Book. All you need to do to enter is leave a comment. You can earn additional entries by sharing this post on social media. Please come back and leave an additional comment letting me know you shared. The giveaway is only open for 5 days and closes at midnight Tuesday, November 17, 2015. I’ll choose a winner using random.org. The prize package will be shipped to you from DaySpring.
Looking good, Mary! Praying for His best for you.
Thank you, Shelia! I appreciate the prayers.
Ah yes – the combination of a good friend with a gift of words and the Lord Himself… He really does make us brave and guide our paths –even into (and out of, hallelujah!) the wilderness seasons! Praying for you, Mary!
Thank you, Karrilee! Deidra is a wise friend with life-giving words!
I like your new site it is fresh and with white space. I have a new site too but in doing that I lost all my readers ;o(
Check it out if you think of it, and subscribe too.
http://www.sharono-somethingtothinkabout.com/
The tumbles in life aren’t easy. I walked thru wilderness a few years ago when I put my mom in a nursing home. I became poa and I just struggled with life for a couple months. In that wandering I met a lady at church who had been thru the situation and helpful to me.My husband was heloful and supportive as well. Now I am going to encourage my brother in law as he’s got a task ahead with his dad…and it’s quite the situation there with his brother suffering from ALS. In all this God is there. We are stronger and move forward. Thanks for sharing your story, Mary. Prayers for you on your journey.
I shared on Facebook.
We each have a story don’t we. God uses all of it. Thank you for sharing.
Mary, I’m so exited for you! Your account is all too familiar to many. God bless.
Hi Marilyn! Thank you for stopping by!
Oh your new site is beautiful Mary! Congratulations! The quote you share form Deidras book, was one the pressed into my skin too. I tend to land in the desert, not go and take off my shoes and make myself comfortable there. Praying that your new brave step.
Land in the desert and make myself comfortable…something I know too well. But Deidra’s book was a game changer for me. Thank you, Rhonda, for stopping by.
Very encouraging to trust God and take the next step
thank you for stopping by Julie.