Coffee? Tea? Serenity?

I had several topics in mind to write about but as I poured my coffee and prayed that God give me the words to match with those, He inspired a topic all together different.

Control. What or who controls you? Job? People? Addiction? Emotions? Circumstances? Finances? Or is it God?

Being a wife and mother allows me to be in control of many things; bill paying, discipline, family activities, scheduling appointments, and the many other responsibilities that go with those vocations. Along with those also come those that I simply do not have any control over. So, what does God expect of me in those situations?

God expects me to be the person that He created me to be. He does not want me to be controlled by anything but Him. He wants me to submit myself to His will and purpose. He wants me to use the talents and gifts that He has given to me so that I can be a disciple of Christ; walking In His Steps.

I can think of a million times that I have gone to God in prayer saying that I felt like everything was out of control. He has assured me each and every time that those feelings were only because HE was in control. He has not failed me. In all things and at all times, HE has taken my cares and concerns that I have given to Him and turned them into blessings. Each and every one!

I can recall many times that circumstances were frustrating me because they were not going as I had planned. I can recall many days that I woke with certain goals in place only to retire at the end of the day feeling like I had failed to do what I expected to. I can recall many times thinking about events in my life and the way that they were unfolding simply made no sense to me. I recall many times having to call myself to a halt, retreat in prayer, and release my control to God. I did so in faith, trusting that He would do what He knows best. Never did he mess it up. Along with every one of the recollections mentioned, I can also recall coming to a time that I would halt again to say, “Thank you, God, for not doing it my way!” Along with every one of those recollections, I can also recall the peace I felt in my heart when I came to realize that it didn’t turn out my way, but it did turn out HIS way.

Thank you, God, for always answering my prayers in ways that I never expected.

Thank you, God, for never forsaking me.

Thank you, God, for taking control of those things that I cannot.

Thank you, God, for the gazillions of answered prayers - including the ones when you said, “NO!”

Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.