[Once a week, I am going to be sharing with you a brave story sent in from a reader. You can comment, respond, encourage. Want to submit your own story or a story of a brave friend of yours? Head to thatisbrave.com!]
This week’s #thatisbrave story comes from Jessie. This poet tale of courage is absolutely beautiful. I hope you enjoy it. Her words, her picture, and her name, are used with her permission.
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The past three years The Lord has opened a whole new way of viewing life
I saw life through the lens of the Word and not the world
I started dreaming about a life I never imagined before
I finally realized that our life is a platform to glorify Him
Impact others for His Glory- build His kingdom
Most the time I didnt know what I was doing or getting myself into
The Lord showed His Grace anyway
The Lord blessed me anyway
It is now July 2014, two years since I started blogging
The Lord has turned my life upside down
However, better than I ever imagined
Throughout the past couple years I knew He was preparing me for a big change
I knew I was going somewhere, I just didn’t know where
This year, however, brought the most change
First, the Lord asked me to leave my comfortable job I loved at Seattle Pacific after six years
Are you sure Lord? Ok, I will
Then He reminded me that I am going to Ethiopia in June
Africa? Are you sure? Ok, I would love too.
Jessie, I want you to move to Phoenix
Wait, what?
Phoenix, Arizona
You mean the city that is hot ALL THE TIME?
Phoenix, Arizona
A city I have NEVER been too?
Phoenix, Arizona
The city that doesn’t have the seasons fall or winter?
Phoenix, Arizona
The same Arizona Cardinals in same conference as Seattle Seahawks?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understandings,
but in ALL ways acknowledge Him
and He will set your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
OK, Lord, I will move to Phoenix, Arizona.
The Lord has made it very clear that this is my next move
The next place along my journey in my life
I don’t know exactly what I am doing when I get there but I am ok with that
Since I made the decision He has already opened doors
He has placed a great excitement and peace within me
I believe He has been preparing my heart for this move for awhile
My life is not going as I planned but exactly how it is supposed to
I know that God has turned my world upside down
I know He has called me out of my place of comfort and into the unknown
I know God is directing me on a new path
I will miss my family
I will miss my two adorable, amazing nephews
I will miss the Seattle rain and especially the fall season
I will miss my boots, big sweaters and scarves
I will miss the comfort of having family within a drive distance
I will miss knowing my way around a city
I will miss my comfort
But
Walking in Gods Will brings joy & peace
Walking in Gods Will brings bigger blessings & beauty
Walking in Gods Will is a great adventure worth taking
I am moving to Arizona because the fear of staying in my comfort zone is greater than the fear of the unknown
Unknown to me but known to Him
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If you have any encouragement for Jessie – leave it in the comments below!
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