Have you ever felt that God put a dream, desire or passion on your heart and what you wanted to accomplish didn’t seem to be happening?
I know that I’ve felt like that more than once!
I love to learn new things!
I really enjoy big projects, especially if it’s something that I can “develop from scratch”.
Years ago, I taught myself how to landscape. I loved being outside. I loved the hard, physical labor. I loved the challenge of creating something beautiful.
One of the projects was a large waterfall made with huge boulders.
It was a challenge and so much fun to “figure out” how to build the plumbing, and move each boulder around until the waterfall looked the way that I wanted it to.
I began helping others with their landscaping. I even thought about starting a business.
That was until I had a series of injuries requiring multiple surgeries and treatments.
We gave away the waterfall and all of the landscaping because we couldn’t keep up with the maintenance.
I am at peace with this now because it’s one of the things that God used to lead me into many exciting ventures.
I’ve had very exciting and dramatic changes in my life and I’m continually looking for ways to help others enjoy freedom, hope and victory.
I went back to school to become a certified life coach.
At the end of the foundational course, the instructors encouraged us to have a visual reminder of what happened in the course.
I wanted to have something that would grow and change so that it would continue to remind me of God’s faithfulness and all that He did through the course.
So, we planted a bush in the yard. Typically, I can grow things very easily, but the plant wouldn’t grow.
I tried a variety of plants and nothing would work. Everything appeared to be dead.
I quit trying.
The yard was a visual reminder of loss and disappointment.
I was again in a long season in my life where one crisis on top of another challenged me daily.
There were no quick solutions for any of these challenges.
It seemed that everything that I tried only made things worse.
As far as “building a coaching business”, I continued to take courses and actively working on my dream of what it could become.
I finally became so discouraged that I gave up. I QUIT!
Thankfully, I didn’t give up for long. I decided to give this dream “one more try.”
I continued to proactively and consistency work on my coaching business.
Shortly after I “started again”, I was in the yard and saw a little shoot of a plant.
I couldn’t believe it! There was NO reason for this bush to be alive.
It was planted YEARS earlier. We had all types of weather conditions that it should never have survived.
For YEARS there was NEVER any signs of the plant.
I felt that God was encouraging me and saying…
- I did begin a work.
- Even more importantly, I have been working all this time.
- Just watch what happens with this bush, I want to encourage you with it.
Actively Wait With Expectation
As the started to grow little-by-little, I:
- Gave my best
- Pressed on
- Did not give up
- Trusted God with the results
Things were going well during this time.
Some steady and consistent changes that were causing some positive momentum.
I would always be encouraged when I would see the bush continuing to grow steadily.
Watch for Something Different
God put on my heart that it was time for me to be anticipating something different.
I knew that I would continue to coach people who wanted to either gain a more peaceful relationship with food or lose weight.
Yet, God was making it clear that it was time to expand the areas that I coach people and for me to be open to something different.
I had no idea what that could be.
During all of this time the plant continued to grow and continued to encourage me.
I continued to watch for “what’s next”.
God’s Timing and Faithfulness
The bush began to have massive growth, to the point that we could see MAJOR changes daily.
God continued to encourage me to “be open” for what He has in store.
I read that Kathi Lipp, a wonderful (and well-known) speaker and author was accepting applications for an internship with her team.
For a nano second I wondered if I might be too old at 54 to be an intern.
I’ve been feeling “younger” every year. I am in so much better health (physical, mental, emotional) than I was years ago and it just seems to get better.
We prayed about it and quickly decided to apply.
I’m excited that I was chosen as one of Kathi Lipp’s interns and looking forward to what’s in store!
God Delivered Beyond Our Hopes and Expectations
When we planted the bush, our goal was for something much smaller.
It is now HUGE.
It’s about 20 feet high, 25 feet wide by 20 feet deep.
God went WAY beyond our hopes and expectations!
Trust in God’s Character
Today, may you trust in the character of God.
It’s His nature to be faithful.
No matter what, please don’t lose hope!
God might move in directions that you’d never expect.
He is never late or in a hurry. He delivers results in His time.
Question: Where is God encouraging you today? You can answer below in the comments.
Mary Lou, I soooo needed this reminder, right now. Thank you. I’ve been waiting for 10 years, now, for something God has said is coming. He keeps reminding me to trust His timing, and to be patient. But sometimes it’s soooo hard — and sometimes I fall for the devil’s sneaky (really OLD) tactic of getting me to question, “Did God REALLY say…?” (ha!) And yet, I continue on… because God keeps sending things like this — and people like you! 😀 — to remind me that He’s still working behind the scenes, even when I can’t visibly see any progress. And that He will ALWAYS be faithful to fulfill His promises.
{{HUGS}} to you, my friend. Thank you, again!
He is so faithful Jenn!! Thanks so much for sharing that so beautifully and hugs back to you.
MaryLou, I just love to watch your business grow. Thank you for this lovely story. It encouraged me greatly. May God keep watering the “bush”. Hmm.. just thinking, that you are not the first one where God used a bush to reveal Himself. You and Moses.. best buddies, eh?
That is so fun Simone! I will think of Moses when I look at the bush! I appreciate you.
Good luck with the internship! I went back to school when I was 40 and after 7 years, completed my Masters in Psychology, while working and raising children. The hard times enabled me to see others in a different way. We have a wise Father.
Margaret, good for you! That is really exciting!! Thanks so much for sharing and for making a difference!
Mary Lou,
Thank you for sharing your personal story. It was such a encouragement to me today — this very moment. I cannot believe how very similar our stories are: starting out on a new venture, QUITTING (but not for good), getting back at it again. And all the while God was at work fitting all the pieces together so that we are able to live out the story He wrote just for us!
I am so excited for your new adventure. I will be praying for you soul friend!
Deborah, this message means so much to me. I am glad that you didn’t quit! I am so glad that this encouraged you.
Thanks for sharing your story! It was exactly what I needed to hear to keep me focused on the passion for wellness that God has placed in my heart. I have been on the verge of quitting and this was perfect for me to read.
Excited for you with the internship!
Sue, I am so glad that you didn’t give up. Thanks so much for sharing that you are encouraged!
Mary Lou,
This is such a wonderful encouragement. I love the way God has used all the changes and challenges in your life to help you help others. Thank you for the great reminder that God is faithful, even when we can’t see it at the time. Your timing in sharing this story is perfect, just as God’s timing is always perfect. Keep walking with Him. I can’t wait to see what He reveals to you next!
Rhonda, you are so consistently encouraging to me. Thank you. I appreciate you. He’s working through you in a great way!
Mary Lou,
I too, have prayed and waited a long time for a friend to return to the church. I will keep praying and believing.
thanks for the encouragement!
So glad that you are encouraged Sherri!
Mary Lou, thank you!! This is so encouraging! And praise God that he continued working while you allowed yourself to rest. It’s amazing the way God works, and our understanding of how he works is so limited. My our eyes be increasingly opened to his goodness, and may we press on in doing what he’s called us to.
Laura, it is so nice to hear from you. the phrase, while you allowed yourself to rest really spoke to me this morning. Bless you.