A Longing Fulfilled

A few months ago, our pastor Steven Owens, did a sermon around the following scripture verse.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

When Fabian and I were dating with the intention of getting married, we both communicated our desire to do ministry at a church. We thought that's where we were headed at the age of 20.

God had other plans.
{Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails. Pro. 19:21}

For the last 4 years of our marriage, many many things did not go our way.

Here are 4 examples:
1. We worked jobs we did not care for.
2. Fabian was jobless for 4 months.  (He's a hard and diligent worker and worked odd jobs here and there.)
3. We had a baby before I graduated college.
4. We tried to move away from Houston.

When our plans fail, it enables us to consider other options,  And it often changes the trajectory of our lives. 
I can't help but know that through all these obstacles the Lord was paving a way.

One of the most important lessons we've learned these past four years is that ministry is not done at a church.  Ministry is done in the workplace, at schools, and most significantly the home.

The church is for equipping us everyday people so we as the {C}hurch can show unconditional love to those our pastors can't reach.

"Doing ministry" is not about working for a church.  "Doing ministry" is loving your family. It's bringing a friend a meal.  It's supplying funds to ministries trying to help with the refugee crisis.  We get so caught up thinking pastors and people that work for a church do ministry, but it is us.  It's you.

When you show grace to your son, that's ministry.
When you watch a friend's son, that's ministry. 
When you take care of your neighbor's dog, that's ministry. 
When you encourage a friend, that's ministry.
When you buy your co-worker lunch, that's ministry.

Two years ago, we decided to start paying off our debts. Although we were unsure of where God was leading us. We knew one steadfast truth that our Lord does not want us to be slaves to the lender.  My husband got a great job at a Fortune 500 company and I was able to stay home with our boys.
Fabian's hope for working at a church was deferred while our Father taught us valuable lessons.

Valuable lessons about marriage, raising a family, money, and real life in the workplace. The workplace where the temptation is high and grace is hard to find.

But God is still there.

While you're waiting for that longing to be fulfilled, He's still there.  Friend, our Daddy is trying to teach you something.  You may not know what it is now, but He's a good Father. He knows.  Every moment and every set back has purpose. There's a reason for your struggle.  There's a reason you are in the season you are in now.  Hang on.  Keep going.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

This year,  doors started opening for Fabian and I.  We walked through them.  

Here we are.  

We recently had a meeting with our pastor to discuss Fabian's/our future at Willowbrook Church.  Fabian is now the creative director and NextGen Leader at our home church.

God brought us to Willowbrook church for purpose 4 years ago. We are just now seeing a small piece of His grand plan. 

I truly believe He has one for you too. 

Friend, would you pray for us?  Fabian will be still be working his full time job and will be working part time at our church.  Although this is just for a season, we could use the extra thoughts as we figure out how to balance life during this time.  I do have to mention. Fabian is great at turning off the T.V. and putting his devices on the bookshelf in order to show uninterrupted devotion to me and the boys.  Pray that we will continue to rely on the Holy Spirit for His guidance and grace.  Pray for the coming transitions to be smooth. 

We still can't quite wrap our minds around the perfection that is God's timing. 

Thanks for being apart of our journey.

Love,
Leah