God has the "Already" to our "What if"

For those that know me know that I have NEVER been a morning person. But there comes a time in every girl's life when she looks at her life and says, "Enough!" No more procrastinating, no more beating yourself up, no more excuses! God nudged at my heart this morning at 6:30 am to get up and walk. "Spend some time with me this morning!"

After meeting with my trainer yesterday morning and having a deep heart to heart, we came up with a plan for a healthier me. Then my day ended with playing tennis in 90 degree weather with a dear friend. I was off to a good start. And I promised myself I'd do better tomorrow than today.

As I was getting dressed I grabbed a light scarf as it was still a bit cold yet debated bringing it because I knew once I started walking I'd be hot and not need it. But for some reason, I took it anyway. So off I went to get a few miles in before church this morning. I put my shoes on and left the house with my eyes half closed.

As I started walking I was reflecting on a conversation I had with my husband last night over dinner. I told him that this journey I'm on to get healthy was so that I would be around to live a long life with him and be healthier for my grandsons. But the bigger reason was because of the things God had put on my heart recently. God's been doing some heavy work in my heart about my future and the plans and purpose for my life. It's a vision of the things he wants me to do along with the words, "wait on me, it's not time!" It's truly a test of patience. I keep hearing, "Andrea, I can't use you if you are not healthy and I certainly can't use you if you are not here. So I made a vow to use this body I've been given and to treat it with respect. Everyday.

I have learned some valuable lessons these past few weeks. And this morning it all came to understanding. So grab a cup of coffee and please allow me to share.

I was at Grace Chapel while I was in Oregon a few weeks ago and the sermon was called - The Good Good Father. The pastor said these words that changed my life. God has the "already" to our "what if." (and as I sit here on this bench writing this......what song comes on in my headphones? Yep.....you got it! The song "Good Good Father." If you haven't heard it before I would encourage you to listen to it. God is so good!)

Back to my story....As I got to the track, the sun was out but it had not crested the top of the hills. As I walked around the track and turned the first corner, I looked at the hills and the sun poked his head up and I knew in that very moment I was at the right place at the right time. Tears started flowing and I knew in an instance as I was reminded of his perfect timing. It was the "already" to my "what if."

I KNOW the sun will rise every morning, I don't HOPE for the sun to rise. But to watch it happen is something quite beautiful. There is JOY in the morning. It's the same as KNOWING God has the "already" to every circumstance, every what if, every doubt. And that scarf I didn't think I would need.......little did I know I would need it to blow my nose and wipe my face when I lost it as I watched the sun rise over the hills. Again, the already/done to my what if/doubts. Silly but you get the picture. I am learning to give myself grace in the valleys and rejoice when I make it up a mountain, even if it's just a hill. I am reminded this morning of this passage from John 15.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Life is about our own choices. It's understanding the pruning God does in our lives (even as painful as it can be sometimes), is for our best. New fruit cannot grow unless a tree is pruned and even when it bears fruit it is still pruned so that it will bear more fruit.

So when you feel God's pruning going on in your life know this, he loves you too much to leave you where you are. He wants you to flourish and bear much fruit. He has so many beautiful blessings for your life. Allow the pruning and rejoice knowing that it means something beautiful is on the horizon.

And sometimes it just all makes sense by simply showing up for an early morning walk.