Keep Moving Forward

Sometimes the blows of life can knock the wind out of us!  I believe that my purpose in life is to use all I am and all I have been given to give my Heavenly Father glory.  So whether I’m taking pictures at church or teaching at Hammond Middle School or preaching a sermon or accompanying a gifted singer or washing the dishes, I’m giving God glory with what I’ve been given.

Yesterday someone smashed a window on my van and stole some of my photography equipment.  The effects trickle down into many aspects of my summer plans.  But one of the saddest things was how my 4 and 1/2 year old daughter didn’t feel safe going to sleep last night and tonight because she thought the people who stole daddy’s stuff might come break into the house and get her.

I don’t know how God will provide for me but I know that HE ALWAYS DOES!  So I will thank Him now in advance before I have the gear I need for upcoming events.  I will praise Him because my family is safe.  I will honor Him because I am still able to love and serve and be a blessing.

I took the picture above tonight because I’m not letting bad things keep me from moving forward.  This summer I am committed to launching some ministry endeavors as well as going on a fitness odyssey with my son(Week one is going well!).  I learned a lesson from buying the suit I’m wearing in the photo.

I went to one store because of a sale they had going on.  That store told me I was a larger size than I had been and didn’t have anything in my size.  Then they tried to get me to buy suits that were 2 sizes bigger than what I usually wear.  I decided to wait and try another one of their locations a few days later.

When I went to the second location they also didn’t have my size.  They recommended a third location.  I went.  At this location I found two suits in my usual size and very helpful workers who assisted me in finding accessories that added just the right look.

What would have happened if I had listened to the worker at the first store?  I would have had suits that didn’t fit right.  If I didn’t persist I wouldn’t have reached the final destination that had everything I needed in the right size.  So the lesson I learned is to keep moving forward.

Maybe you too have had loss recently.  Keep moving forward. Remember these bible promises:

For I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138:8

When I was in college someone broke into my dorm room and stole my camera.  I prayed and God revealed who had done it.  I later lead this person to Christ and they admitted that they had stolen it.  He is currently faithfully serving in his local church.  What Satan meant for evil God turned into good.  So, I pray for those who stole my gear this time like I prayed for the person who stole my first camera.  And I will keep moving forward.  God will get the glory out of even the trials and tragedies in my life.  And I thank Him now for what he has already worked out that I haven’t seen yet.  Keep the faith and Keep moving forward!