Dear readers, this week I’m introducing you to my
long-time friend, Julie Whitney. I admire and respect Julie for being a woman
of God who not only loves her family and friends, but who’s also devoted to teaching
those with special needs. Julie, her husband (Jeffrey), and their sons (Keegan,
Noah, and Braden) have traveled around the country, serving God in various
capacities. Like most people, they’ve experienced both blessings and hurtful
situations. That comes with living a life of purpose. Not everything is easy.
In pursuing your
calling, you may be thinking that what God asks of you is too difficult. Or
that he’s making you wait too long for your dreams to come true—the very dreams
he placed in your heart. If so, please take encouragement from my friend’s heartfelt words. Thanks, Julie!
When
You Can’t Stop Asking “Why?”
Have you ever wondered why?
Why did this happen? Why did so and so
say that? Why did that person get sick? Why did my loved one die? Why so young?
I often wonder why. Many times it’s why did
that tragedy happen? Tragedies often lead to unpleasant outcomes. Days of
wondering why are filled with sorrow.
Still…even though I believe and cling to
those words, when God’s plan has taken me on a new journey, I’ve sometime
thought wow, this road is long and difficult.
I’ve prayed for answers. Lord, I know you have a door ahead for me.
But, how long will it take for it to open?
I’ve struggled with accepting God’s
timing. “Hello! This hall is way too long! Where is the exit?”
Then, the door opens. Finally! But, I’m not
always satisfied…and sometimes I’m still confused. Lord, why? Why did I have to wait so long, go through so much? I
feel like a small child whining because I had to suffer through eating my peas
before I could have dessert—even though a large bowl of ice cream is sitting
right there in front of me. But why,
Dada, why?
I’m really asking, “Yahweh, why?” When our
kids repeatedly ask why, what is our usual
response? Too often we say, “because I said so,” or simply “because.” We ask our kids to trust us because we know
it will be ok. Because we said so. Our
God wants us to trust him the same way.
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are
to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” (Genesis 3:14 NIV)
It’s the answer. It’s our answer! Because I am the great I am. We doubt, and we forget that God has
our backs and our lives. God tells us, “I got this girl. I am the great I am.”
This past year and a half, I’ve faced
many trials due to others’ actions and my own, leaving me to ask why? Why?
Why? I would stop, look around, and listen. When I listened, really listened, the plans the Lord had
for me fell into my lap. New jobs, new people, and thankfully staying right
where I wanted to be.
So, if God’s telling you... “I am the
great I am!” LISTEN! Listen very carefully; your answer will be coming soon
enough. Not your soon enough; His soon enough.
Are
you in a season of asking why?
Have
there been times in your life when you’ve been able to look back, see, and
understand some of the whys?
Thank you Julie for your encouraging words!!! I sooo need this right now. I too have asked "why" for some things and learning to be still and wait is hard but I have come to realize that He really does have my back. He does have a plan for us and even though I have had to go through painful situations He has protected me from what could have been so much worse. Sometimes it has taken years to realize the answer to the "why" for some situations.....just recently he showed me the "why" to something that happened 4 yrs ago. God is good and faithful. Thank you again. Love and miss y'all! Kim Bowling
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