Prior to knowing Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior, I had no idea how to obtain all the things that I wanted in life. I didn’t have successful parents, so I didn’t know how to become “successful”. I had no idea how to obtain wealth because my family wasn’t wealthy. They weren’t College Graduates, so I really had no idea how to commit myself, apply to, or afford college. With my dysfunctional family life — parents addicted to alcohol and/or drugs, both married 4 times, etc. — I didn’t even know how to create a good, happy home for my children. Like many others, I thought, “You need to try making your own way.” I tried to figure out how to obtain all of these things on my own because it was all that a person really needed in life. Or so I thought.

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9.

Because of the poverty that I experienced earlier in my life, one of the tools that God has used as a ministry through my husband and I is food. During the COVID-19 quarantine, we delivered quite a few large totes filled with food to people in need. Most care packages also contained a Bible and a tract because it was really God providing. He was just using us to do it.

About two weeks ago, we received a call from someone at our church. They said that a young lady had called and was in need of some food. She asked if we would like to provide. We knew instantly that this was a call from God and loaded up the car. We packed the car with a tote full of food, toiletries, etc. Then we picked up a pizza, salad, and wings. When we arrived, what we found was a very humble little family: a young woman, her son, and his dad.

They both explained their stories. Each had led very difficult lives. Despite this, they were both still reeling, blindsided by what lead them to this place. My heart went out to them. One minute (just like me), they were making their own way. And the next minute, they found themselves in such desperate need.

It’s funny (ironic, not haha) how life will do that to you. Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. He knew that we would have trials in this life, but it is ONLY in this life. When we become followers of Jesus, we will have eternity in Heaven with Him and there are no tribulations/trials there.

We have had a couple more occasions to meet with this wonderful family. During one, our daughter and I were able to spend time with the young lady. And, in those few hours, God really used our daughter mightily to minister to this young lady.

Then, during our most recent visit, the young man expressed his confusion over where they’d ended up. He felt like they had been doing well. They had been helping someone fix their home and doing what he thought was the right thing. Then, suddenly, they found themselves in this position. At this moment, the young man had no direction. They (just like me) were making their own way and now had no idea how to get out of this place. Nor did they know how to obtain all the things that seemed like needs.

We knew that God wanted to help this little family. God had used our church to provide for them. He had used my husband and me to provide for them. God had heard the prayers of our church family. He had heard the prayers of my husband and I. He had even (to our surprise) heard the prayers of the young man’s believing parents. But this little family needed to want a relationship with God. “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. .” Psalm 37:5.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, standing in the parking lot of where they live, Mom and Dad both asked God for forgiveness and invited Jesus to be Lord of their lives.

Through a little food and a couple of chubby followers of Jesus, God provided grace, mercy, forgiveness, and eternal life to this hurting little family. And we (my husband and I) are blessed to have become spiritual parents and grandparents to them.

Unfortunately, “making your own way” is making a mistake. When we try to control our lives and future, we make a mess. But God doesn’t want our lives to be a mess.

He wants to direct our steps. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way;” Psalm 37:23.

He wants to instruct, teach, and counsel us. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” Psalm 32:8.

God wants to show us incredible mercy and grace. He wants to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

Our plans are nonsense and are very shortsighted. But God’s plans are eternal. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21.

God wants us to recognize that your will and “making your own way” are not His will or His way. He wants us to seek His will and to (through Jesus sacrifice and our acceptance of Him) spend eternity, in Heaven, with us. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you know the mercy and grace of God. You know the peace and security of having a relationship with Jesus Christ. But do you know the freedom of letting Him guide your step? Or are you still “making your own way”? Are you still trying to be in control? Is God just a silent partner in your life? If so, submit. Give it all over to God. Let Him order and guide your steps. Who knows, you may even get an opportunity to stand in a parking lot and welcome a new brother and sister into the family of God!

Father God, oh, how we thank You! We thank You that You even desire a relationship with us. We thank You for Your mercy and grace. And we thank You that You desire to guide our steps and promise to be with us every step of the way. We thank You for our Savior that, through Him, we can obtain forgiveness for our sins and spend eternity in heaven with You! And, we thank You for our new spiritual brother and sister. Holy Spirit, through their relationship with You, draw their son into a relationship with You. And, lead us (your church) to be God’s hands and feet. Use us to draw those around us into a saving relationship with Jesus! We pray this in Jesus precious and Holy name. Amen.

Has “making your own way” been consuming your life? Have you made a wreck of things? I know I did. If that describes you and you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you will go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). There is a prayer outlined on this page. Please pray that prayer. Once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you!

Luv Ya!