Good Morning Girls!  Last night I received a report that was the exact opposite of what I have been believing for.  Actually I received 2 negative reports.  One was the opposite of what I was believing for, the other was a report that I didn't even know was possible- so I was completely caught off guard. 

The reports got me all fired up and frustrated.  Then I took on an attitude of "who gives a rip anymore."  I went to  bed still believing that God has a plan for me.....its just that I didn't like it!

As you can imagine, I woke up with a heaviness in my heart.  I tried to put the reports out of mind.  I tried not to entertain the "what if's".  I prayed to the Lord that He would help me cast my cares on him as I know there is nothing I can do.  The situation is out of my control.  My only choice is to trust the Lord and let him carry me through.

I prayed that I would be able to "accept" whatever happens.  I prayed that I would bed able to use this story for good.  I prayed that I would be able to focus on today and not think about tomorrow.....or the day after that.....or the day after that........

Well those prayers were not answered immediately.  I started picturing myself on stage sharing my story.  Sharing how things don't always go as you believed they would.  Sharing my story that though my outcome was the exact opposite of what I hoped for, I still loved the Lord.  It was a "you can take all my stuff but you can't have my joy" testimony.  And it was a bunch of baloney........

Now don't misunderstand me.  I do believe in the "you can take all my stuff but you can't have my joy" testimony.  It is one of the most important testimonies in our faith.  To get to a place where we are content in all circumstance, where we can praise the Lord regardless of our situation, to me is a place to strive for.  I believe this place is important because it takes away the devils power.  Once we can say "Yep.  That's not what I wanted......but thank you Lord for your goodness, your kindness, and your faithfulness".....oh I just picture that makes the enemy's blood boil!

So why was my "you can take all my stuff but you can't have my joy" testimony a bunch of baloney?  It is a bunch of baloney because my "stuff" is still here.  It is not gone.  I have simply been given a report that it will be gone.  The problem with the testimony I was imagining was that to imagine it now is like GIVING the devil my "stuff".  What I thought was me "practicing acceptance", was really me giving up.  Giving up on my dreams...and giving up my "stuff".

Now there may come a day when I stand up and give a "My stuff was all taken but the end result was a blessing I never could have imagined and I still have my joy" testimony.  Yep- there may come a day.  But guess what.....today, well today is not that day!

Today I choose to imagine a different testimony.  I choose to imagine myself standing before you all and sharing with you an "According to the reports, there was not a chance things would work out....BUT" testimony.  I choose to imagine the miracle testimony.  The divine intervention testimony.  The "there is no other explanation than the Lord" testimony. 

Why would I do this?  The answer is easy.  These imaginations breath life into me.  They build up my faith.  They get me stirred up and fired up.....rather than shaken up.  They make me smile and laugh rather than worry and cry.  They give me hope.  They give me strength.  And most of all it gets me feisty.  It reminds me to tell the devil "you can take my stuff......but I am not going to give it to you!"

Besides, I've got a promise......And I am hanging on to that promise until there is no reason not to.  Guess what, you have a promise too...........

Habakkuk 2:3 This vision is for a future time.  It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled.  If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place.  It will not be delayed.

Love, patience, and faith filled testimonies to you all,
Jen