Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Ok, so really this post only contains something borrowed and something new, but as a soon to be bride, the title just seemed appropriate.

Here's the borrowed part:
On the way home, I asked The Mom, what with her closeness to God and all, why she didn't listen to him when he told us not to go. She replied that every good Catholic knows you should never listen when God speaks. "No good comes from it. It's either sacrifice your son, or build an ark, or wander the desert, or you're pregnant with my baby and good luck with that. Trust me, this camping trip was way better than any of those things."

I just found that too funny, and had to share. You can read the whole post here.

Plus, it seemed to fit with the thoughts I have left over from a phone conversation last night with a good friend. (This would be the 'new' part - as in my new and recent thoughts on things...)

You see, at first glance, the above description of what happens when God speaks to you would appear accurate. And in reality, it is often what it feels like to walk it out. Like God is asking something ridiculous of you, something way too hard, with no clear happy ending in sight. As my friend said last night, "God doesn't answer why. The question is what for?" But we usually want to know why, and sometimes despair when that question isn't answered.

But then you look deeper, closer. You ask the right question. And all those stories mentioned above get a lot bigger, with a lot more purpose. Miraculous even. So very worth it.

This season of my life has some definite hard parts. And although I've told you about some of them here, there are actually very few people that know all the things that have been conspiring together to make this harder than I would have ever guessed. There have been many, many changes to our best laid plans. Those who know me well know that dealing with change has not traditionally been a strong suit of mine.

Yet, I have had a deep sense of peace walking this out. In the midst of everything, nothing has shaken my belief that I am exactly where God wants me, doing exactly what He wants me to do. And, of course, I've had the encouragement of His pep talks and gifts in this final stretch.

I've had several people comment to me about how well I've rolled with the changes lately. That stands as one of my most convincing proofs that I'm exactly where I should be, because there is no way I would take all this so well unless God was walking me through it and giving me His peace and confidence.

I guess I say all of that to say - as funny as I find that quote I started with, I'd rather listen even when it's hard. And I'm looking forward to seeing the answer to 'what for?'.