The Journey To A Great Surrender

It was the night of October 8, 2011, that I first looked up to Heaven and yelled: “why God?” I was 13 and had just heard the news that would shake my life up, forever. It was the night that I found out that my dad had gone home to be with the Lord. That night I questioned not only God, but I questioned whether or not I would ever feel peace again. It’s crazy how quick we are to place the blame on God when bad things happen in our lives. Because how could a loving God let something so tragic happen? Since that day there have many plenty of “Why, God?” moments in my life.

The pastor at my church reminded us today that God has us in the place where we are at. He knows where we are. He put us there. And even if our pain never goes away, Jesus is still better. He doesn’t promise us that our pain is going to go away, but what He does promise us, is that He will walk through it with us. Jesus felt weakness and tiredness. He felt anger and frustration. He wept, He grieved, He had sweat blood from great stress and anxiety. He felt everything that we feel daily. This is who we are praying to. One who knows where we are because He was there too.

I had a fruitful conversation over lunch today with one of my sweet friends, Maura. We were sharing about the seasons we were both walking through in our own lives, and let me tell you, God was there. We talked for easily almost 3 hours, and God was ever-present in that conversation like He always is. We laughed, we teared up, and Maura danced a little in her seat. I was in tears as she was sharing about what she sees God doing in my life, and how she sees Him using my story now and in the future. I wish I could regurtiate our whole conversation because it was just that good, but I firmly believe that it was all God speaking through us, and so it’s hard to even put it in my own words.

So the next time you are tempted to think “Why, God?” think about what He is trying to teach you in the moments that seem crazy hard. How is God going to use what you are going through to benefit His kingdom?

 

Taylor Kate

 

I recently learned what it means to be obedient to the Lord.  For the past one and a half semesters I was part of a leadership team for a women’s ministry. This ministry was a blessing in my life. I grew in friendships, community, and my relationship with God. I loved being able to share my story with other people who could be encouraged by some of the things I have walked through in my life. I was able to see God working in the little things, and big things throughout the ministry.

But towards the middle of this semester, I started to really struggle with leading. I became drained, and I felt like maybe I was not where I was supposed to be. I was scared, because I swore that I was supposed to be on that team until I graduated college. I wrestled with those feelings and emotions for weeks. I went back and forth talking with my friends, and my roommates, trying to figure out what on earth my next step was going to be. It finally got to the point where I completely just laid everything out in prayer, and begged God to guide me. I surrendered my wants in exchange for what God had planned for me in this season of my life. I learned that it wasn’t the end of the world if I had to step down for a little while to grow my relationship with the Lord.

It takes courage to be obedient to God, but He will never steer you in the wrong direction.

 

Taylor Kate

“How sweet it is to trust You, Lord…I’m learning how to trust You more”

Starting over is scary. But here I am…starting over.

I made this blog a few weeks ago, determined to start writing again, every week. Well that was like three weeks ago, and this is the first post I have made since then. I don’t know what happened to all the drive I had a few weeks ago when I recreated my blog, but I have just been unmotivated and uninspired.

I blame school. I changed my major to journalism this semester, and I am super happy in this new major, but it was a hard change. These classes are challenging me in ways that I never thought I would be challenged, and I am very tired by the end of my days. The last thing I want to do after writing all day in class, is to write more when I get home. But I feel like God has me creating this blog for a reason. I want to be a vessel of His love so if that means me writing on this blog, I will find balance in my days to make time for Him to use me here. I am determined to.

I am learning everyday how to trust God more and more. Especially right now, as I am completely starting over. Not only with this blog, but with my schooling as well. It was a leap of faith that I was terrified to take. But, I rest assured, knowing that God isn’t finished with me yet. He has a plan for my future, even if I can’t see it right now. When waiting for God’s righteous plan, don’t lose faith in His goodness.

“You have definitely had your share of unknowns this past year, and at times you wondered how there could be any hope for this. But your ever-Loving God has kept you and He will continue to keep you, no matter the uncertainties you are faced with this season” – Morgan Harper Nichols

 

-Taylor Kate

I have always been a writer. I had a blog in high school, and through the beginning of my college career. But after a lot of change in my life in the past few semesters, I wanted a new start. This semester I have really been learning how to surrender myself to God. It is not an easy thing to do, but it is something that I have been working on. I want to surrender not only myself, but the plans that I have made, the pains that I have felt, and the relationshis that need mending.

Last night I was sitting on the couch with my roommates, and I was talking about wanting to start over. They were supportive, and encourgaed me to take that step and restart. Once I decided I was going to restart, I realized I needed a name for my new blog. Something that resonated with the season that I am walking through. I wanted something to do with surrender. I asked Hannah, and 10 seconds later she shouted: “The Journey To A Great Surrender” and “You better give me credit”. I was shocked at how fast that came to her mind, and I loved it so here I am, and thank you Hannah.

Learning. Surrendering. Trusting.

Throw yourself upon God’s faithfulness as you do upon your bed, bringing all your weariness to His dear rest C.H. Spurgeon