lucky number thirteen

Thirteen years.
Where I was:
Unemployed and broken from a job that sucked the joy out of me.
Heartbroken from a relationship that took a hit I was unprepared for.
My mother was two weeks post op from a fall where her arm was shattered into a thousand pieces and has since forever changed our family.
What happened:
On Monday, August 29th, I interviewed in Dalton.  The interview was terrible.  I didn’t apply for the job and STILL have no idea how they got my resume.  My mother was in the middle of surgery while I was interviewing and I was a basket case.  I left defeated.
I had been reading Andy Stanley’s book “The Best Question Ever”.  He uses the example of putting God in a proverbial box, praying hard, God not changing the situation and us being frustrated with God when WE put him in the box.  In the same season, several friends had moved to Nashville and I have no desire AT ALL to move to Nashville.  
That Tuesday night, I laid in the floor and repented for putting God in a box when I clearly had no idea what His plan was.  
On Wednesday morning, I went back to job hunting and the first job that popped up was in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville.  It was 10:30am.  I applied for the job. (I actually laughed out loud with God!)  At 11:30, the recruiter called me and submitted me for the job.  At 3:20, the recruiter called me back and set up the interview for that Friday.
Friday morning, I left for Nashville, hot rollers in my hair rocking a navy power suit.  I miscalculated the time for the interview forgetting that Nashville was on Central time and I’d gained an hour.  I used that opportunity to put on make-up and make sure I knew how to get to all of the places that I needed to go.
While I was on the road making sure I knew where the interview was going to be held, I got a phone call.  
Long story short, all of the things I’d begged God for – HE.  SHOWED.  OUT.  After that phone call that ended with an offer and acceptance, I pulled into a parking lot and bawled.  I called my family, who were all sitting at in a waiting room while my mother was in her second surgery.  I was so hysterical, they thought I’d been in an accident. 
Over the last thirteen years:
I have told my Ninevah story as often as I can because my story had nothing to do with Nashville, it was solely about obedience.
I have seen God move in mighty ways that I don’t deserve.
He has moved on my behalf.
Every time I get to a place where I think God can’t do it and that my journey has ended, God messes me up.
I spent nine years in an office where God reshaped every facet of my life.
I’ve spent the last four years in another office where God shifted more things in my life than I can even begin to tell.
Growth.  Brokenness.  Pain.  Grief.  Joy.  Purpose.  Trust.  Love.  Hope.  
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
I'm so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood
And in simple faith to plunge me
'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace


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