We just got home from our small group session tonight, and the focus of our Bible study was moments in our lives that we would always remember. Moments that can be good or bad, but moments that I typically like to call "snapshot moments." Snapshot moments are moments in time that no matter what you go through in your life - you'll always remember every little detail about the situation.
We also took it a step further to talk about moments when you knew that God was with you, or even if you didn't know it in the moment - you can recognize now that he was in control. We also talked about symbols of those moments.
In the Bible - God speaks with symbols, and has his disciples go forth with symbols to show the world who he is and show them the things that he has done. So, we also talked about how we could make our own symbols in our own lives to show the things that God has done.
Being the typical shy girl (shout out to Renee - my sister in shyness!), I not only couldn't think of any examples in my own life to share with the group - but I wasn't fully digesting the discussion either.
I apparently need to take my own Bible in the future so that I can follow along with the reading, because ya'll - I am NOT an auditory learner by any stretch of the imagination. I can't follow or comprehend a single thing that goes on if I hear it. I've got to see it or touch it in order to understand what's happening. On a side note - it's sad that I've married a man that loves to read articles and things to me - because it's all lost on me... as I don't pick up a single thought from anything he's read to me.
So, anyway, as I sit here tonight trying to think of the things in my life that would apply to the discussion... I'm still a little at a loss because I of course have the obvious things like my wedding, college graduation... and the like where there are traditional symbols... but that's not enough for me on this topic.
I don't know what the symbol would be attached to this, but I think that I am smack in the middle of two very big God lessons...
1) This job search process - and the faith that it is taking to not panic, and know that he's going to land me in the right place at the right time. I truly am being faithful on that, and obedient to give every opportunity a shot - so that he can guide me when the right one comes along. (I just pray that I hear him clearly in that moment!) Would my symbol be a paycheck? Or just another entry on my resume? I don't know, but whatever it is... I know I'll remember the day that this season comes to an end. (You'll probably hear John's cheers all the way in California and Maine!)
2) My weight loss surgery journey - now I could wrap this into so many other things (like having a baby), but I don't know what the future holds for anything in my life... but it has truly tested my faith in so many ways going through this process. I put my faith and trust in him to provide me a way to have the surgery, and bring me through that process safely. I've also put my faith in him to show me the way to truly learn, believe, and live like my body is a temple.
You see, I whole-heartily believe that God has his hands all over this process... because I really don't consider myself to have anything resembling will-power of any sort. I also don't have the drive on my own to workout vigorously like I have been for the last 10 days. So it has to be God's prodding and pushing... I can't figure any other reason that I woke up one day and started a routine for my health and stuck to it for this long. It has to be God all over that because I honestly started trying to talk myself into doing it several days before I actually did. What was different that day? God was tired of watching me sit there and beat myself up about it... and pushed me in the right direction... in which I finally followed and stepped out in faith that he would bring me through it.
I don't know what symbol I would use... my scars? See, here I could say that us having a child could be a symbol that the ultimate goal was achieved, but at the same time - having a child is a miracle all to itself, and brings its own symbols and snapshot moments.
Who knows, but I'm so glad that we've been given the gift of being able to look back at those moments and really appreciate what God has given/taught us.
What are some of your snapshot moments? Please share some in the comments...
I am so wore out right now, I STILL can't think of anything...but I will, and then I'll tell you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kim,
ReplyDeleteI loved this blog. God has revealed himself to me so many times--maybe because I was struggling with my faith for a ten year period or so. It was during this time that he revealed himself the most. I had a plan in life--never get married (loved serial dating!), buy a house (because then I'd be tied down), or have a kid (too restricting). One day I woke up and realized, that there I was...not living my own plan. In 3 years, I managed to get married, then buy a house, and then get pregnant (best accident ever!!) around our first anniversary. And I'm so much happier than if my plan had worked out. I know I didn't do this on my own:-) As for symbols, who knows...will have to let it marinate.
-Danielle
PS- All three of these things happened after the age of 30...so be patient, and let Him do His work.
Interesting post....
ReplyDeleteMy snapshots are definately the IVF stuff I went through to get Kiera. God revealed himself in many ways and it was obvious HIS timing was best because I am able to stay home with her. God was very much revealed on our wedding day. The symbol was rain and still is a very important symbol to both Kevin and I. The story is too much to type, but I can tell you over a lunch date or something another day.
I feel like I am currently going through a snapshot momoent right now with Cypress Calling. I know God is revealing himself in many ways to many of us. It is not always easy to see what HE has to say...
I can think of two times God was so very real to me and the symbols that go with it:
ReplyDelete1) In 2004, we had 4 hurricanes within 4 months. I was also JUST married, and it was a very trying time. I was torn between staying with my husband in his house during an emergency, and running to my parent's house where I felt much safer (so representative of the shift from someone's daughter to someone's wife!). I was also learning how to share money, use a budget, work full-time for the first time... it was a huge adjustment period. And then I saw a palm tree during one of the hurricanes. Palm trees are beautiful anyway, but until you've seen one in hurricane-force winds, you haven't seen them doing WHAT THEY'RE MADE FOR. They are specially created to survive those storms, and watching them withstand the wind just spoke to me. Palm trees are made with hurricanes in mind. And I am made with trials in mind too... I'm not my most beautiful until I've withstood very difficult times. So the symbol for that lesson is a palm tree.
2) Another big one was during a mission trip to Nicaragua one summer. I was trying to figure out what to do about a serious boyfriend I had at the time, but I knew somewhat that he wasn't whom I should marry. I wrote a letter to God explaining how I felt, just worshipping God and letting go of my own will. Part of our work that week was to build a concrete wall around the school we were staying at. Somewhere in that letter, I wrote "my faith will stand firm as this concrete wall." I dropped my letter into one of the blocks before I poured cement in. Six years later, an accident destroyed the school... but the wall is still standing. :) So my symbol would be that wall.
My snapshot is praying hands. Reason? Because from the time I was 18 to the time I met Chris at 32, I prayed to marry an englishman (It started out as an immature dream, but I hung on anyway) and when I was 32, God delivered, pretty much to my specifications. What did I not specify and took for granted? That my future husband be a Christian. So, I am right back to the praying. Five years later, Chris gave his life to Christ. I kind of felt like God was saying to me, "I gave you your heart's desire, now you help bring him to Me."
ReplyDelete