Quit trying to steal the pen
I had an amazing weekend at the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove in North Carolina. This place is and has always been mine and Rob’s special place. We always joke as we drive through the gates that we can queue the turkeys, deer, and bear along with blooming mountain laurels and amazing landscape regardless of the season. It is truly a special place on earth where you can feel God’s presence as you are surrounded by all that He created. We try to come here at least once a year for our military marriage retreats or personal spiritual retreats. It’s a special place where we can sit in quiet and open our ears to hear God and each other. I highly recommend a visit!
This weekend, like many others included time of reflection and retreat as individuals and together. It always include a hike to the overlook (or getting lost and creating our own path- a story for another day). It always ends in growth and renewal. This time for retreat is not easily taken but it is essential to remain true to self and grounded in one’s faith.
Life is a journey, it has ups and downs and our story continues to be written. Philippians reminds us “that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6, NIV). Our story is still being written, we are still being perfected, we are still being refined. In this journey we will encounter difficult days and joyous day. We will find love and suffer loss. We will ride on this roller coaster we call life with God as our constant, even if we sometimes fail to turn to Him. This weekend I was reminded that I need to trust and live in this story, God knows the journey, not me. We all know the ending, it is a joyous victory and we win.
Rob found me this beautiful wood plaque that reminded me of this verse with the not so subtle reminder that “God is still writing your story, quit trying to steal the pen. Trust the author.” WOW-what an amazing reminder. It is not my story to write but so many times I have tried to take the pen and write the story. When the timing and results are not where and when I want them to be, I eagerly lean in to inject how I would write the story. It is not mine to write. I am putting down the pen and trusting the author.
Today, I pray that you trust the Author. I pray that you seek God first in all things and live in your story versus trying to write it.
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog post, subscribe to my web page.
