A random babbling on creative spirits-

Random babbling on the creative spirit~painting, sewing, baking, boys, an irresistable God and the next 200 feet~

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Orlando magic :)

I wrote this letter in an email to just one; then realized God deserved a bigger expression of the grace he washed over me in these turn of events.
So, I copy and paste here for whomever finds their way to it: Putting my light in the window so to speak! :) God is this good.
in love. trish.

I'm learning just how beautifully, and blessedly, God is in the little things.

I have believed that God only shows up in the big things; cancer cured, pregnancies realized, funds funded, sins forgiven.
I had this notion that in the little, day to day events, I was on my own. That I had to figure out which venue to seek out, how to package and promote the kits, who to ask to teach at my retreat, how to go about encouraging my boys to faith in Christ.
Yet I am coming to see He doesn't expect this solitary, independent striving of me any more than He expects to me take up a scalpel and perform heart surgery (this is, need I say, not in my bag of talents :)

In the past few months I've heard sermons and read devotionals and begun to pray to God for my every need, my every presence, my every moment. I am learning that to believe this way is not to burden God, but rather to bless him. It is in needing him that faith is expressed; and this is what God asks of me-to be utterly and relentlessly faithful, nothing more.
The bottom line reality of this is, God himself is establishing me in him; not the reverse~What a relief and an incredibly profound blessing...

So I have to tell you my story: there's more to it-the 'before I even left' decisions that play into this whole picture as well-but for the sake of wearying your eyes reading :), I'll start with the actual trip that began last Thursday-

I left Seattle in the midst of the snow storm-ending up being just one of two flights to get out after my initial flight was cancelled. I flew through Chicago instead of Denver and the connecting flight waited for me (and four others) for almost a 1/2 hour so we could get on. Description: http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/blank.gifThen, arriving in Orlando 6 hours later than originally planned, I was told the Enterprise counter would be closed, but to go to Alamo to get my rental. As my weary legs carried me through the rental car que, sans my supply cases that managed to stay behind in Seattle (yes, this too was a grace of God because he knew I would be too weary to drag them through the airport, so why not have SW airlines deliver them to my hotel room the next day- just in time for my Saturday workshop to begin?!), I saw a lone body behind the Enterprise counter and asked, 'are you really here?!' (yes, I was a bit delusional at this point :) after a giggle, she helped me through my rental, knocking $140 off the cost of my measly economy rental just because she could (and because I cringed at the $370 price tag she quoted).
Out at the booth to get my car, the employees were joking and looking forward to going home; I quipped 'let's get this chick her car and get out of here already!' they laughed, then proceeded to give me the car of my choice..for my economy price. Being told the BMW was finicky to drive :),Description: http://static.ak.fbcdn.net/images/blank.gif I opted for the Infinity and am now driving a luxury sedan in Orlando for 11 days!
( I am still having trouble embracing this gift; silly me!)
Then! my Orlando workshop was at 5 when I flew; I arrived to find it up to 7-my Mt Dora was at a measly 7, and has now climbed to 15 with three more emails contacting me with interest.

Why, you ask, do I outline the events this way? Why do I feel so strongly that I need to share this with some bodies?!

I prayed; no, it seems too 'proper' to state it that way: I talked to God as I awaited the verdict of my delayed, then cancelled flight that morning. 

I walked with God. 
I simply said 'help me God' (over and over and over between the mixed thoughts and emotions rolling in my brain) and walked and listened. 
I spent the better part of my entire time at Seatac (arrived at 4:45am, departed at 2:30) walking and praying that simplest of prayers; 'Help me God.' There was no other way.
Alas, there is never any other way....

And, at the risk of not giving all these 'little things' proper credence, I know they all came to be because of the fact that I set my heart and mind to DO IT!-I'd been vacillating between getting myself back home and cancelling entirely as I was milling among the throngs of complaintive and concerned fellow travelers that swarmed the ticket counters-after all I had 'barely enough' students to make it worth (my) while, and it was a terrible time to risk travel....

Something came over me though; a sudden assurance and sense of determination; I would do it, even if I had to sleep in the airport overnight. 
I was committed and I would be steadfast. It is in this determination that I trusted unwaveringly in God's hand in it and his promise of everything working for good. I truly felt that even if I were to go down in an ice covered airplane, God's great good would be working; not the worldly assessment that it was pure, foolish folly to choose to fly in a storm.
 

If something can truly turn on a dime, this is the dime; that certain, consuming sense of determination. I have felt it just a few times over the past few years, but the more I do, the more confident I become and the more faith I embrace. 
And, the more closely and assuredly I walk with God in each and every decision, moment and move.
He comes through.
Always.
In spades :)
So gloriously worthwhile and blessed; in just this-the small things. It's that good :)
And oh! It's 80 degrees and sunny~
with a bursting heart,
trish

'Do you live expectantly? Do the little things excite you? Do you imagine the improbable and expect the impossible? Life is full and running over with opportunities to see God's hand in little things. Only the most sensitive of His servants see them, smile, and live on tiptoe. Chuck Swindoll

14 comments:

  1. I love this. Love that you see His hand in all that you do and have come to expect it in all that you are. I am humbled and reminded to look to Him and realize He isn't out there "somewhere" but right here beside me in everything I do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I usually read your posts thru my RSS feed but had to jump to your site to comment. I could say " Blessings" but you have already discovered His gifts. Thank you for so beautifully expressing your experiences and revelations. This has led me to ponder "what have I been doing to make sure that I am relying on Him for each step? Recently an artist used a quote about if you want something you've never had before you need to do something you've never done before. I am tweaking that to : if you want God to use you like He never has before you need to step out and allow Him to take you where youve never been before so that you have to totally trust him every step of the way. I was grumbling to myself and procrastinating yet again because of yet another challenging project I am undertaking but now I am reminded WHY He puts me in these circumstances - to force me to trust Him not myself. I have new drive and motivation. Thank you for being used to spur me on. Sorry for my rambling here. I've gotta go now and get to my studio..... Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ramble away! In so doing, you've motivated me back :) thank you~I need to hear responses and encouragement each and every day; and God always provides :)

      Delete
  3. Trish!

    God is this good :)

    Tears just spilled out of happiness to read all you went through to get here to Florida! I am personally blessed by your story, because I've been soooooooooooooooooo looking forward to learning what you have to teach this weekend in Mt.Dora! And to think that it almost didn't happen...

    I thank the Lord for your beautiful example of trusting His turns in the path. We often don't see the whole tapestry that God is creating with our intertwined lives and daily choices, but today I caught a glimpse of it by seeing your path. Thank you! Your blog has been an encouragement and I look forward to meeting you tomorrow!

    We are His workmanship,
    Ginger
    (yes, that is my actual name ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ginger :)))
      I read this Monday-after the workshop has concluded. What a blessed weekend we spent, yes?! I don't think I am the only one who came away from our waxiness inspired and enlivened...God is SO (or as you put it soooooooooooooo) good :) I hope we meet again; I hope we meet again at EncaustiCamp. It is this weekendx1000 :) xxoo

      Delete
  4. I am moved and in awe, but not surprised. God even cares about the title of a necklace called Joy Dance. He loves us so.

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow tish, i am moved by your writing and thankful for sharing especially on a day that i was feeling so low and pondering wth. reading your notes gave me the nudge that i needed and knowing that i am not alone even when everything appears so...thank you, thank you for sharing!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you for sharing back adeola! It makes my heart swell to see that God has used me to encourage others and inspire; if only in a moment :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your writings are breathtaking as is of course, your art ... I cannot wait for my workshop in NC!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just landed and am heading there now! See you soon Kim :)

      Delete
  8. I am reading this today off the Random Notes blog by Jane Powell.
    I wish I had known you were in Mt. Dora. I am in Ormond Beach and would of
    loved to come be inspired and play with wax. I love wax and I love hearing about
    the Lord.
    Next time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darn I am sorry we missed eachother! Perhaps there is a 'next time' in our futures :)

      Delete