Something New
Things have been a bit quiet here for a little while.
The reason is mostly to do with something really exciting that’s happened, and something that’s also involving lots of hard work, and keeping me busy!
It’s a whole new road I’m on in my work.
It came down to this one day in September. It’s strange to think you can wake up one day, and have no idea quite how different things are going to be by the end of it.
For a while I have been thinking about returning to university to do more postgraduate study. It’s such a passion for me, but each time I looked into it, there was always something that made it somehow out of reach.
But this one day, on the eve of Michaelmas term beginning, I made a phone call, and as if everything were just waiting there, ready to fall perfectly in its place, by the end of that day, I had been accepted into a Master’s programme full-time, in Theology.
For me, it’s providence.
The opening hand of the Unseen.
The good gift of a Father truly perfect in goodness.
That’s how I feel. As if He has gone before, made the way ready, and when the time has been right, given something so unexpected and for me, special, it takes my breath away.
And though I’m learning so much about God in so many ways through all of this, the thing that stands out for me is this – that the goodness He has for us, so far exceeds anything that I could ever plan for myself.
He creates experiences that bring such joy, that I never could have even thought up on my own.
And that in His will, there is no obstacle. Nothing withstands His hand. His grace.
While I don’t want to give the impression that experiencing God’s goodness in quite the way it is now, is an everyday thing for me, or ignore the heartache and unanswered questions there can be; in this new opportunity, for me, God’s goodness and beauty in a hundred different ways, has been beyond words.
I really hope to be able to share stories along the way, even from these first few weeks, my love for the chapel being one (it is so beautiful there!) Just to say for today though, that the photo here, is from a visit there yesterday.
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” – Jeremiah 29:11.
[Just to mention too for any friends from Revelation TV, that everything stays the same with the programmes I’m involved with, alongside my study].
Birgit how exciting and how like the Lord i do wholeheartdly agree with all you’ve said. Actually you blessed me recently with one of your posts, it was called a Time for everything.I read that on my blackberry, then I turned on my bedside radio and on came BBC thought for the day…..Now I have not listened to thought for the day for a very long time and I dont really know what made me do it that morning, I think I did hear a very still small voice. Well you can probably guess what happened next,Yes the presenter gave the Ecclasticias scripture ‘A time for everything’ Angie
Hi Angie, I love your story here! I love how God does this, finding different ways to communicate a particular idea to us – it’s often so perfect in its timing too! Lovely to hear from you, Birgit xo
So much easier in life to heed ‘for I know the plans I have for you’. Saves a lot of anguish trying to do it all yourself.
So wonderful and so exciting how this all worked out. A perfect example of a God who is always working for His glory and our good in all things. We can trust Him with our lives.
One of two proverbs, framed and hanging on the wall in the household of your great-great-aunt Leonore Vitense come to mind:
“Sorg’ doch, sorge nicht zuviel – es wird ja doch, wie Gott es will!”
The second one I can’t entirely remember – I have to search for it. But it had this very re-assuring last sentence, that i do remember: “…….. und unter Dir sind ewige Arme !” (‘and beneath you are eternal arms!’)
This is really true, Aunty Lorraine. Less anguish as you say, and also, for me, a great sense of peace and purpose, and also joy.
Love B ox
Thanks so much Rain, for your amazing encouragement. I’ve really experienced God at work in this situation as you describe here. A real example to me of His goodness, His delight in our joy, and that, as you say, we can trust Him. Love B xo
I love this, Dad. Thanks for reminding me. Beautiful words, and a beautiful thought, that we are eternally held and carried by Him.
Love Birgit xo