As I biked down the Confederation Trail, the sun kissed my face and the gentle breeze blew sending it fluttering through my hair. I pedalled harder and harder as I took in the beautiful Bay, shimmering in the sun. Time outdoors has always been cherished time with My Jesus to let Him speak, nurture my heart and reveal His beauty through creation. I was in pure delight.
My husband and I were loving our life on the Eastern Coast of Canada. We saw so much promise and dreams being fulfilled. We planned to build our own home on a plot of land. My husband wanted to start a new business and it seemed to be just one green light ahead of the other. I was writing and speaking; growing in my God given gifts. We were renting a place and making preparations of where we would stay in the in between of God fulfilling the promises He had for us. Life was good.
Then came the “interruptions” to all the plans. I still remember as biked through the trees, I could hear the words,
“Your life is about to change drastically, Juliana. It will be unexpected and will take you by surprise.”
My first mistake was I assumed I knew exactly what Jesus was sharing with me. I thanked Him for the confirmation. In my haste, I connected the dots to what I could see in the obvious, completely unaware that He was speaking of a major imminent shift that had yet to be seen.
Again six months later, while out for a walk on the same trail. This time with snow underfoot and the chill of winter in the air, I heard,
“You can’t stay here anymore.”
My walk stopped short. There was no mistaking what I had heard. My stomach dropped. Suddenly my plans and certainties became filled with question after question. My world as I knew it was flipped upside down and I felt that my legs were physically weak under the weight of my body.
Newness and change were on the horizon and I could see absolutely NOTHING right in front of me. Where were we going? What was happening?
The change God had for us led me to one of the darkest times of my life. Yet, in desperation I leaned into the interruptions and let God do the necessary work in me. I can’t believe where I am now. This is the great faithful Father that we have in God. He gives us beauty from ashes. He leads us through the dark valley and all the while pursues us with loving kindness.
The picture for this blog was taken as my children sat overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from a completely different location. God uprooted our family and set us in Ontario for period of time. He sat me down for awhile as He unpacked my life, my marriage and our family. He brought healing, deep healing, supernatural healing. He brought restoration in my marriage. He brought a lightness to my heart; His perfect peace and His joy flooded my life. While I am thankful to be on the other side of the pain, I rejoice in the fact that He is a transformational God. He doesn’t leave us in the exact same place. He continues to grow us up, shape us, and mold us into who He always dreamed we would be!
He knew what was best for me. He’s always known what is best for me. Leaning into the ‘interruption’ that God had for my life, was His Divine power at work using all things for His glory and my good. His interruption in the plans that I thought were going to take place “refreshed and restored my life.” In Psalm 23 verse two it says, “He makes me lie down in (fresh, tender) green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.” He knows us so much better than we know ourselves. He has a purpose laying us down, in stopping us and it’s always for our good!
God has lead our family to South Carolina! We have seen His hand upon us as He miraculously unfolds His plans in this new land. Watch for future blog posts as I share what our family has been up to!
Friends, sometimes God gives direction and preparation well ahead of time. He may even show you a glimpse of what is to come. Often times, He has to get us ready to hold onto what He wants to do. He gets you ready for what is to come. He prepares you for what is ahead. This is His goodness! If I’ve learned anything from my life in God…it’s to stay flexible! Let me encourage you to let Him tend to whatever it is He is after.
