Speaking of mornings, as I was reading God's word, I came across this scripture.
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave- tending life.
It's ADVENTUROUSLY expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us- an incredible inheritance!- Romans 8:15-17 MSG
As most of you know, we recently moved back to California after living in North Carolina for four years. Contrary to what most think, moving back to California was harder than our move to NC. When BJ and I moved to North Carolina, we were newlyweds and were so excited about the ministry opportunity we were offered, we didn't have much time to think about how BIG of a move we were actually making. Moving back to California after building a marriage and starting a family in NC was a different story...it was crazy!
When we were pregnant, we felt as though we were supposed to drop everything, pick up, and move ourselves and our newborn twins across the country to serve at the Los Angeles Dream Center. Crazy? Exactly! I remember telling God that we would be obedient to what He was asking us to do if He provided a few things before. We wanted some guarentees. I mean, we had two newborns; wouldn't He want us to do the responsible thing and make sure we had a few things lined up before making a committment like that?
Our entire marriage has been a crazy adventure filled with crazy decisions we have made in order to be obedient to God. But this time it wasn't just BJ and Sarah that we were thinking about. We know we could go without food (FASTING) but we weren't sure how long Brooklyn & Kennedi could LOL. Joking and a little serious all at the same time haha. We found our conversations with one another about the girls' future and how we had to make a responsible decision. People warned us of how children would change our life and change our decision making process. In fact, people would tell us how we wouldn't be able to do everything we ever wanted to do because of children. I remember BJ and I disagreeing with their statements and even hoping for the chance to prove them wrong. Well, here was our chance. It was harder than we thought... until we asked ourselves the right question. What was/is more important to us... providing for our children a "safe/risk free" environment or raising our children to be risk takers always looking to God asking, "What's next, PaPa?" Yes, we want our children to have all they need and even things they want, but it's far more important to us that they live a life trusting and believing God. That is the inheritance we want to leave them!
So, we booked a UHAUL, found an apartment, and denied the chance to extend our lease that day! We were reminded that our God was not just the God of BJ and Sarah, but was the God of Kennedi & Brooklyn too! And just as He has always taken care of the both of us, He was going to take care of them too! We understand the GREAT responsibility we have as parents to these girls, but we understand even more so the GREAT responsibility we have as children of God.
God has provided everything we have needed to make this HUGE leap of faith possible and we are certain He will continue! What's next for you? What has God been asking you to do? What crazy move are you supposed to make? Maybe it's not moving 3,000 miles with newborn babies. Maybe it is! Whatever it is... do it!
