Never Say Never

If I've learned one thing about being a Christian, it is to never say never. 

I know it says in the Bible not to test the Lord, but it seems that nearly every time in my life I said "never!" God sat up there watching, laughed and said "Wanna bet, my beloved?" 

I would like to think that I am prime example of this "Never Say Never" theory. I can't recall all of the times in my life that I have said "Never..." then a few moments, days, months or years later, BAM-- God had SUCH a different plan. 

Still unsure? Let's take a quick look at my "nevers" that have since become "nows" "YES" or "always."  

I said I would NEVER run for fitness OR fun... THINK AGAIN. At the end of December 2010, I felt inclined to start training to run. I prayed about it, started the Couch to 5K plan and ran my first 5K on March 19, 2011. I ran my second one on June 17. And last Monday, I started a new training plan to get my 5K time under 30 minutes. I now run (ok, joggish-trot) 3-5 days a week. I am still working on the "fun" part-- but I think it's coming!

My sister Kathleen and I after completing (and surviving!)
our first 5K run together last March in Herington, KS.
The way I sported our "participation ribbon" you would have
thought I just won the Boston Marathon. 

I said I would NEVER let my husband and/or his career dictate my life/location... THINK AGAIN. God led me to my beloved Brandon... who is in the military-- and for whom I have quit jobs and moved locations. But here's the best part:  it isn't even a sacrifice because I am so crazy in love with him!

I said I would NEVER go back to school after graduating with my bachelors in May 2009... THINK AGAIN. God called me to go back to school and get my masters in Christian Leadership from Liberty University last November. I started on January 22, 2011 and will complete my masters December 16, 2011. Should compliment my Animal Science bachelors degree well, eh? 

I said as a freshman in college that I would NEVER miss home... THINK AGAIN. Now living about 850 miles ish from my family and friends and in a different time zone, God reminds me of the gift of family and "small town living." It's interesting what an hour time difference can make for phone conversation availability in the evening!

I said when I graduated from college that I would NEVER be ok with making less than "bank" in my big kid job... I am now on my third job since college graduation-- the first job I was making what I called "bank" and it was a nightmare. My second job my salary was cut in half but my happy heart factor jumped. I am now the in the highest heart-happy place thus far with my job at Christ Community... And I am volunteering for zippo dollars. Good work, God. You really DO know what you are doing!! 

These are very brief and relatively recent examples of how God has switched around my "never" to YES. I believe it is a testament to His faithfulness-- Let Him drive the boat and he will take you where you need to go! 

God doesn't do these things to prove us wrong or rock out with His amazing power. (Although we usually are and He certainly has the right.)  Instead He does it (like he does everything) because He loves us. He has such an amazing, huge plan for us. Many times in the moment, it is incredibly difficult if not nearly impossible to see the "Big Picture." But that's where the trust factor comes in. Just like I said in last Saturday's post of LET IT GOD, we have to let go of our control, place our COMPLETE trust in Him and KNOW that when he turns a "never" into a "today," it is all a part of His plan. 

Have you had any "never" moments that God has switched around? Did it eventually lead to your "big picture" benefit? Or are you still waiting for that big picture to be clearly focused and less blurry? Regardless of where you stand, I encourage you to take heart and trust in Him. Believe that with Him ALL and I do mean ALL things are possible... 

Oh, and just to be safe... I would encourage you to never say never. 

From Never to Always, 

SGK 

"Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain." --Psalm 119:33-36