When Your Will Isn’t My Way

Posted on by Heather

{You’re about to read part two – a follow up from my post last week. If you haven’t read part one- you can find it here and I’ll be ready and waiting with the rest of the story when you get back….}

Three to four hundred…
Thousand…
Dollars.

That’s the price range the nice lady realtor relayed in her email as she explained the listing status of that quaint clapboard building I gazed upon with doe eyes each day on my walks.

Pretty predictions of the future right then and there ceased to frolic in my thoughts.

The property also happened to be waiting for clearance from the DEQ since the earth around it once held underground oil tanks when it existed as a gas station. Now I’m kind of glad I never paid it a visit when it was a coffee shop…

I minimized my email window like the real estate agent’s facts hurled closed the door to my storefront dreams.

And it sure wasn’t the first time I felt shot down and outnumbered with my wishes left in the weeds by the wayside.

So what do you do when your will isn’t done?

Will you carry on and worship in the wait?

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ~Psalm 34:1

Will you rejoice despite the disappointment?

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ~ Habakkuk 3:17-18

Will you let God off the hook and incline your listening ear?

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{image via The Graphics Fairy}

The prayer, after all, does say thy will be done not my will…

Riding home a few days later, I heard this song.

No matter where I find myself- broken or whole, He hears me. He sees me. And goodness He has in store.

For you too.

But when we feel trapped and boxed in by our own desires how do we get to this spacious place of trusting?

“It’s a burden to spend your life in one place thinking you’d be happier somewhere else.” ~Philip Gulley, Home to Harmony

We can start with living in the moment- not in tomorrow and certainly not in yesterday or years ago.. As Peter wrote, now we live…

Whoever we’ve acted like previously is not what we have to keep playing out today.

We get to choose.

And whatever chains of past sorrows, failures and regrets we wear around our neck it’s time to cast them off and instead:

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. ~Proverbs 3:3

Is there something you’ve forgotten or neglected?

Something God is calling you to?

 

Copy book

In all the wishing and wanting I had forgotten the very real blessing of already owning a little virtual storefront… though slightly neglected.

And I’ll bet you have your own set of uncanny circumstances and characteristics all being worked together – if you’re unsure, ask God to show you.

Surely goodness and mercy will follow.

While thanking God for my daily grace, I remember all I have before me and I sense where He’s leading me at the moment – to settle down, sit up, take note and letter His words onto my heart and yours in this precious unlimited virtual space.

To keep practicing the abc’s of arranging, brainstorming beauty and creating connection all for His glory in whatever ways He provides.

He has meaningful methods and much like practicing penmanship, with each stroke it becomes more refined.

copy book inside

As God is faithful to do, He opened wide a different path, a few days and prayers later…

Written in an email, an invitation arrived to set up shop again in the place that furthered my passion for lost and found things last summer.

So this fall, for one day only, you can find me here.

Will you come?

Where we walk in His will there’s always a way.

♥

pink when your will isn't my way

 

P.S. Wherever life finds you, I hope to meet you there- we can chat about the business of being you! Click here to join the tribe and get in on the conversation! {Plus I’ll send you a set of printable scripture cards!} It’s my pleasure to create connection, community and sometimes cute stuff for you and I’m so glad you’re here!

Linking up here!

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29 thoughts on “When Your Will Isn’t My Way”

  1. If it were closer…I’d be there like Flynn. I hear wistfulness – maybe that’s my wistfulness – not sure what it’s clamoring on about, but my soul rested while reading your lovely post. Thank you, Heather! PS I’m considering a vintage couch that is in my price point having just sold our ethan allen for 200.00…still wavering. wish you could help me out! it happened so fast that i’m thinking God knew I could use some furniture rearranging pick me up.

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    1. Oh Sue ♥ thank you. And I hope you do get that vintage couch– I haven’t seen one yet that looked like a poor choice… What color?? What style??? Details and pictures please! LOL! I will consult from afar! haha! And sometimes furniture rearranging truly is good cheap therapy…♥

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  3. good girl….thinking of you, praying FOR you. please pray for me….Mike/Teri are in the middle of lots of life issues. The FATHER is good and will answer prayers.

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  5. Well . . . I suppose the coffee shop is out of your budget then? Haha — that is quite the steep price, isn’t it?!!

    But I’m so excited you’re doing the vintage show again!! I think you really do love them and they’re successful but I know they’re a lot of work to prepare for — but you can do it!!! Sometimes the paths God points us toward or leads us down or just waits ahead of us on are the ones that we can realize how much we’ve expanded to take in more of him and learn a little more about ourselves in the process. I love that, don’t you?! I can’t wait to see what you’ll create for the show — exciting!!! xo

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  6. Living in the moment is my utmost desire in the hard times and the great times. Such a beautiful post today and love the pictures and that quote from Gulley. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It’s my desire too! Thanks for stopping by– have you read Gulley’s Home to Harmony books?– they are wonderfully uplifting fiction… ♥ Thanks for popping over and leaving your sweet comment!

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  8. Hi Heather, loved your story about how God is weaving hints in your life to bring you into His plan. You are a gem. Glad to have found your blog. Please count me as a friend. 🙂
    P.S. That price sure sounds about right for VA. I’m further north and it gets higher.

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    1. Thanks for stopping over Kelly! I’m so glad you’re here– and to know you’re a neighbor in real life how cool! We should connect! I’d love to hear more about you girl!

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  10. Let God’s will be done! But I can’t tell you honestly it is always the best for us yet our hearts would wish for something else many times!! Poor humans..
    Great to meet you Heather
    Blessings to you

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  12. Just loved your writing and thoughtfulness about God’s will, not ours, and trusting and following..no matter how things don’t work out, God has a plan! I love your website, and adventurous way of writing, leading us along with you through everyday yearnings, back to God! My favorite journeys! Thanks for visiting me today so I had a chance to meet you and visit! Blessings til next time!

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    1. Aww the pleasure was all mine… Thank you for your sweet comment! So thankful to find another kindred spirit through you, friend. ♥ The journey is always better together.. Amen? ♥

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  13. Oh I’m so with you Heather – the pull of an old building – the potential and possibilities for making good and setting right and making it shine. And wrapped up with it, the desire for connection and community, to gather and encourage and make something beautiful – – – and thats God in you. What I really loved was how with prayer and giving it up to God He brought you back to the possibility for all of the above that is already in your hand. Love that that is the way of God. We think at first what we have doesn’t look like much, not as good as that dream – but God breathed anything is possible and so much better. He showed Moses, terrified of what God asked him to do, the staff already in His hand , the wine the wedding guests were thirsty for was already at the wedding – just water until God breathed on it. Love your closing thought – “when we walk in His will there is always a way”. Always, always a way , a better way with God. So encouraging Heather. I always feel like I’ve been on a lovely journey of reflection and discovery when I read your posts – like we’ve walked along side for a bit and talked about the real stuff – and you with such good words always point my gaze back to God. Beautiful xx

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    1. God is always in the business of something better… That’s the biggest thing He seems to have impressed upon me this year– and more often than not it has to do with what’s right in front of me. I love these examples you gave…wine from water that was already there…Thanks for journeying with me from the other side of the world…it’s so humbling and exiting to have made such a connection with you girl! I hope one day we can connect in person. Thank you for such encouraging words…a balm to my soul. You are a blessing ♥♥ Praying! xo

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      1. I hope so too – yes it feels like a God breathed, God blessed thing. I was thinking how nice it would be to hang out with you at your lovely market stall, drink coffee and chat about anything and everything – – – – with you in Spirit. Praying too ! x

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  14. Such a great post, Heather! And I love Hillary Scott’s song that you shared here. I have chosen to feature your post on this week’s Grace and Truth link-up. Be sure to stop by and get your “I was featured” button.

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