Pages

Monday, May 23, 2011

the Lord's purpose prevails



"But now, O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay,
and thou our potter; and we all are the work
of thy Hand" (Isaiah 64:8)

I love the fact that our Potter is the Master Creator. He is the One who holds everything in the palms of His hands and everything that He makes is perfection.  As the works of His Hands, we simply have to be willing to be molded by Him into what He desires us to be. It's not always easy turning our lives over to Him and allowing His will to take precedence over our own but it really is the only choice.  Whatever it is that He has planned for our lives is always the best plan. 

When my daughter, Melissa, graduated from LSU with a degree in Biological Sciences 2 years ago, her immediate plan for her life was to go on two mission trips that summer and fall. She was going to Bolivia, South America for 6 weeks to work with Campus Crusade. Then she was headed to Cameroon, Africa, to volunteer at a Medical Mission hospital for 10 weeks. Upon her return, she was going to apply to medical school in Boston and would hopefully start the following summer. Being a mission doctor was her lifelong dream and she couldn't imagine anything else for her life.

 But after she returned from Africa and landed in ICU literally fighting for her life from a complicated case of P. Falciparum Malaria, things changed. It took her almost a year to fully recover from the damage done to her liver and red blood cells. She stayed so weak and her immune system was compromised so she stayed ill, but gradually the Lord brought her to a full recovery from this horrible disease.  The next year found her unsure of her calling as a doctor and fervently seeking God's will for her life.

She was working as a substitute teacher in Baton Rouge and began to have a real love for little children and a real desire to become an elementary teacher. As the Lord began to reveal to her what His plan for her life was, she began to move forward in that direction. She took her MAT (Millers Analogy Test), scored very well,  and applied to graduate school.  And God continued to work.


As the Lord just continued to pour out His blessings upon her, He began guiding her step-by-step and  provided for her needs at every turn. He has shown Himself faithful to Melissa and His goodness has just overwhelmed her. This morning she was here beside me and tonight, my sweet girl will lay her head down in Boston, Massachusetts. She will begin her new journey with the Lord by her side tomorrow.  

(Boston University)

Please pray for Melissa as she begins her first class in grad school tomorrow evening. She is enrolled in a one year master's program and this time next year will be a teacher. She is so excited at what the Lord has in store for her and is ready to place her life fully in His hands.



It's always exciting to go with God. Even when we don't know where He is taking us or what we are going to do when we get there! But just to know that we are in His hands and submitting to His plans is the greatest source of peace that we can have. He is faithful. He will never let us down. He will never lead us astray. He will always guide us down the correct path if we keep our eyes on Him and let Him lead the way.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails"
(Proverbs 19:21)

Overwhelmed by Him and His goodness, 
Beth


16 comments:

Yolanda said...

I have a young friend here at home, that goes to school there!!!

Small world.

Lovingly-
Yolanda

Barbara said...

Yes amen Beth, it is a hard and long journey, seeing our children go off and build lives of their own, only by the grace of God can we as mothers accept this. Hard but right, and pray that all we have taught them will be in effect where ever they go, bless you and bless your dear children.

NanaNor's said...

Hi dear friend, What an incredible adventure the Lord has for Melissa but I also know you will miss her alot. May He richly bless her as she seeks His perfect will for her future. Big hugs to you today.
Love, Noreen

Dawning Inspiration said...

Oh so cool to see how God works and moves in the lives of those we pray for!!! Congratulations to your sweet girl! So excited for her!

Cherie Hill said...

The Lord works in amazing ways. I love watching Him write our stories! I will be praying for your daughter, knowing that she is in the Lords hands and He will strengthen and empower her to do mighty things for His kingdom!
Blessings,
Cherie

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Beth:
Blogging comments wasn't working earlier, so I hope this doesn't appear more than once as I tried earlier.

I remember so well when we all joined to pray for Melissa as she needed God's healing after the mission trip.

Why don't we agree to pray her into and through this next chapter as she begins in Boston? What a beautiful city and I know there will be visits.

I also pray for the heart of her mom as you are feeling the miles right now. It's a joy to be able to meet at Jesus throne in prayer and know that all the needs will be met. I join you in praying for this next step!

xo

Loren said...

Oh Beth! How wonderful for Melissa! for all of you! You have all been through so much yet GOD has given you Victory in so many areas! Praise HIM and I know she will do amazing things for HIM and the hearts of those sweet children she will work with! Praying for their hearts right now to be open to the seeds that will soon be planted! For I know she will sow HIS Ways, HIS Goodness, HIS Faithfulness and so much more!!

Praying for your sweet girl and for her Momma's heart!

Love you Beth!

mholgate said...

God is so good! I do pray that she has a wonderful, successful year there! :)

I am praying for God's guidance right now also. We're moving next month. I have one year with Caleb at home left. I'm thinking of taking some classes to get my Early Childhood degree so I can work in the school district and still be at home for the kids after school.

Blessings to you!
Melissa

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

What a joy to see a child walk in the ways of the Lord. God's continued blessings to you and your beautiful family.

Nana Jul said...

WOW, what an awesome path,....God will guide and direct her very steps...I will join you and Sonja in praying her through! I can't wait to hear what God has in store! She will do great Mom....Jesus Hems her in...behind and before, He has laid his hand upon her!
Love ya
Julie

Warren Baldwin said...

Some of the greatest mission work done in America today is in the public school classroom by Christian teachers. Wonderful decision, Melissa, and pray for your success in school!

Note: Our daughter Jenny is working on a master's degree in education this year, too.

Anonymous said...

Oh, I feel goosebumps all over with this wonderful news! I am so excited for Melissa and will hold her in my prayers.
As a retired teacher, I am delighted for our children need good, loving teachers in their lives.
Praising the Lord, ~ linda

Nancy said...

Yes, I will pray for Melissa. So wonderful that she had found her calling and knows that God is leading her right into the thing. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

My #3 daughter's name is Melissa. When I pray for her I'll also pray for your Melissa.

BTW, My Melissa is a teacher :-)

Denise J. Hughes said...

Teaching is a wonderful ministry! I love it. And I'll be praying for her as she pursues her graduate studies! Praise God she is healthy again.

DJ

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I was so happy to read about Melissa's "next." Boston University and teaching! What a calling!! What a place to "lean into" that calling. I'm so glad that God is revealing his good purposes for her life. I'll say a special prayer for her every time we watch the Red Sox play (we're big fans over here).

Nick will be heading to graduate studies in August; I'm excited for his future as well. In the meantime, I get to love on him a little longer.

peace~elaine