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Monday, May 18, 2009

Seek Him - Find Him - Love Him


Jimbo, Melissa, Me & Bryton

Sawyer sleeps through the whole thing.

Melissa, Me & Ashlie before graduation

Bryton checks out the program.

Sawyer is down for the count .

Two sweet boys in the morning.


My daughter, Melissa, graduated from college Friday night. It seems like just yesterday that she graduated from high school. I will never forget the day that her daddy and I moved her into the dorm at LSU and then had to leave her in Baton Rouge - 200 miles from home. It was a very sad day for all of us, but I will never forget the look on Melissa's face as we pulled out of the parking lot. She looked so small, so young and so pitiful as the tears welled up in her eyes. It makes me tear up right now just thinking about it.


It was hard, but it was necessary for her to begin the next phase of her life. It was part of the plan that God had ordained for her life. If she was going to be all that God intended for her, she had step out, find the right path, and start walking.



There has to be a point in our lives that we graduate to the next level - to that next place that God is desiring to take us. We can't stay at the same level and experience any growth. We must have a plan.



We can't stay on the same path and expect to go someplace different. If we long to arrive at a different destination, then we must embark on a different journey.



When the road we are traveling on isn't taking us to where we need to go - it's time to find a new road. It's time to seek a new direction.



Melissa could never have gotten a degree from college if she hadn't actually enrolled in the right classes and then taken the necessary steps to complete them. Even though she had the desire to obtain her degree, it wasn't just enough to want it. She actually had to do something to make it happen.



If we are desiring to follow God's plan for our lives.... if we are wanting to go somewhere deeper with Him.. then we need to be asking Him what that plan is. We absolutely can't set out on journey if we are clueless as to the destination. It's awfully hard to get directions to a place if you don't have any idea where that place is!



We have to be actively seeking His will for our lives. We have to be actively petitioning God as to what He desires from us and for us. We can rest assured that part of that plan includes spreading the gospel of Christ. But we need to be in prayer that He will reveal to us how He wants us to carry that mission out.



Let's not just walk aimlessly about hoping that we will just stumble upon God's purpose for our lives. Let's be looking expectantly and joyfully for what He intends us to do with our lives. Let's work to bring Him honor and glory and praise. Let's seek Him, find Him and love Him more.



"Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:12-13)





Beth

15 comments:

Leslie said...

"It's awfully hard to get directions to a place if you don't have any idea where that place is!"

I love that line! We need to ask God where He wants us to go and then we need to ask Him to be our personal Map Quest!

Congratulations to your daughter! Your pics of the boys are adorable!

Jennifer Sikora said...

Your post is such a blessing to me today. In about 4 years I will be going down that path as well. Your children and grandchildren look truly blessed to have such a God fearing mother who has prayed for them.

Thanks for sharing!

Be blessed!

Yolanda said...

Beth,

The Lord uses you mightily!!!


Love,
Yolanda

Beth in NC said...

What wonderful pictures! Congrats to your daughter!

And AMEN, we definitely have to pursue God's Will for our lives. We must seek Him and seek His Will.

God bless your daughter as she starts this new season of her life.

Love!
Beth

Lisa said...

Praising God with you for Melissa's accomplishment. Congratulations!

May God's purpose prevail in her life as she seeks to live for Him!

Blessings - Lisa

Beth E. said...

You couldn't have written a more appropriate post! Our youngest son is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks.

Congratulations to your daughter!

LisaShaw said...

Sweetie I just emailed a question regarding Josiah. I wanted to post something ASAP on him. Let me know.


Congratulations to Melissa! What a turning point in her sweet life. I will pray for her this moment. Beautiful photos!!

When we take A off to college in just under 2 yrs I'm sure I'll be the one crying BIG TEARS!
Love you.

RCUBEs said...

Hi. I just want to thank you for visiting me and leaving an encouraging comment. God bless.

Denise said...

Wise words..."When the road we are traveling on isn't taking us to where we need to go - it's time to find a new road. It's time to seek a new direction."

The picture of you between two of your daughters is priceless. You are all beautiful.

Shalom,
Denise

Toia said...

Congratulations on your daughter's graduation!!

I love what you said about graduating from one level to the next when fulfilling God's ordained plan for your life. This really hit home.

Beautiful post!!!

Every Day Blessings said...

I love this post! Your family looks very sweet. I'm sure a bittersweet day for all.
Sometimes it is hard to know where to go or when to move, but we know that God has a plan for us. We need to be actively pursuing Him and living in His word daily.
Thank you for such inspiration.

Pam said...

That is wonderful Beth, and so true! How wonderful that your daughters have had you as a mother. You are a blessing, and I know it has been very hard at times for you. God is good, that is all there is to it. Love, Pam

Jennsmere said...

Step by step! You are such a blessing, Beth...
I remember driving back to Oklahoma after leaving my 'baby' RN in Atlanta...alone! I too still tear up at those memories.

The Lord keeps us, leads us, and blesses us!

Love you!
Susan

4 Lettre Words said...

What a grand day! (And, a beautiful family!!)

Congratulations!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Congratulations to Melissa on this milestone! It's a joy to watch my sons in their "becoming." I know that God is in their steps even as I hate the comings and goings. He gives me peace for their journeys too!

peace~elaine