Advice

I had someone message me out of the blue today for some advice and guidance about a relationship. I didn't respond right away because if anyone comes to me for something serious, especially someone that typically doesn't even talk to me, I definitely don't want to steer them wrong. Frankly, I don't want to steer anyone at all. It's a lot of pressure. But I prayed that God would give me the right words to say. And He told me that I already knew what to say...so I just started writing. I write much better than I speak, by the way. In person, I can be a mess. Unfortunately, there is no delete button. My mouth works faster than my mind at times (most of the time). Sometimes it's awesome; other times it's awful. Anyway, based on their response back, I said exactly what needed to be said--thank you, Jesus. I read it to Travis and he said that it's a shame I don't do more writing. So, while I think on that, I thought I'd re-post what I wrote. Even though you don't see what was asked, I think this is helpful either way.

First of all, I try not to judge people's relationship or lack thereof with God on if they go to church or not. I personally know some people that are faithful attenders, but their actions don't suggest a very personal relationship with the Lord...at least not one I'm interested in knowing. Anyway, you are right, if you ask God to guide you, He will. He's VERY interested in that. And I don't think it's coincidental that you got your revelation on the life your boyfriend at the time was living. Was it the answer you wanted? No. But it's what you needed to hear and see. I believe if you constantly live this way, asking God about every area of your life, He will show you. It won't always be immediate, and other times you'll wonder if He heard you, but He always answers. HE can shut doors that need to be shut in your life and open the ones that need to be opened. Just ask Him. And live in faith that He is doing that, even when it's not what you want. I too can take my own advice. I can't say what David's intentions are...but the Bible says to you "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on what you understand. In your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6. When I was growing up, I never dated. It just didn't seem useful to me because I knew I wasn't going to marry anyone in high school. So I thought it was senseless to date people only to break up. After I graduated, I hadn't decided on a school yet. I just didn't feel right about where to go. Nothing settled with me. Did I hear an audible voice telling me not to go to UK or UL? Nope. I was just indecisive. So I prayed that God would open the doors He wanted me to go thru. Two weeks later, BJ called me about moving here. Now I knew it was God. Hardest thing I ever did in my life. I was alone away from family. I had no friends. But I prayed and God told me...like I heard Him say, "When you plant a seed, it goes in the ground and when you cover it up with dirt, you don't see anything. But it will grow and bloom into something beautiful. But before you even see that, it has to be planted in the right spot. I just put you where you need to be in the ground. Wait for it. This is where you need to grow." True story. That alone kept me here for quite a while. One word. And I made some friends. It got better. And then out of nowhere, although I'd seen Travis, I suddenly took NOTE of him...and something in me....I just knew, I was going to marry him. Call it what you will. But my relationship with God led me to all these things. And when you know His voice and learn to listen, He will never steer you wrong. If I were you, I'd trust that feeling. Not what YOU want...but "your gut," as they call it. I personally can tend to chalk it up to myself, but that's the Holy Spirit. He sounds like YOU. You won't always be in the places that you thought you'd be, or even where you want to be, and it won't be without pain always...but it's where you're supposed to be, allowing you to get to the next place. And in spite of all of that, trust me, THAT is where you want to be--right in His will. I hope this helps some!