Last year on Valentine’s Day, H and I sat in the deep upholstered seats at a small round table in the bar of our hotel in Dallas. Silently observing people filtering in and out, we were waiting on some friends to join us for dinner, numb from the day’s events. Hours earlier, H surrendered his job of six years to accept a Macedonian call to London.
Sipping on Cabernet and crunching handfuls of bar mix, we looked at each other silently between gawking and making up stories. “What have we just done?” I asked him.
Making faith decisions, based on what we sense God is saying isn’t new to us.
A few months after saying “I do,” we moved to Tennessee for H to attend seminary, without savings, jobs or a place to live. All we knew for certain is God said to do it, so we went.
There have been many yeses to opportunities for the past twenty-five years of marriage that look crazy to bystanders watching us. But that decision on Valentine’s Day last year was different. We didn’t know exactly what God was asking of us, all we knew was England.
One year later, on the week we celebrate Valentine’s Day, God finally put all of the pieces together.
I can’t wait to share the details with you next week. It’s finally happening; we’re on our way to London!
Last week, The Beauty of Grace: Stories of God’s Love from Today’s Most Popular Writers by Dawn Camp launched into the world. One of my stories was included among a host of stellar writers. This book is a collection of reminders that God is enthralled with who you are, not what you do. You are loved, cherished, adored and you are not alone in your decisions.
In the forward of the book, Holley Gerth writes, “What makes God’s love so wondrous is that He comes to us. He came to the Garden of Eden to walk with Adam and Eve. He came to a manger to live with us and to the cross to die for us and be resurrected. He’s coming again to take us home with Him forever one day. He could have kept His distance. He could have decided we were too messy. He could have said, “Figure out a way to get to where I am.” But no, love always finds a way to get to us and say to our hearts, I’m here.”
What makes our upside down decisions so beautiful over the course of our marriage is the way Jesus comes to us in the midst of them.
While we are waiting, watching the world live around us, and wondering if He forgot about us, we doubt and ask, “What have we done?” And God says I’m coming for you. I love you. I’m here.
How are you experiencing God’s love for you lately? Where do you need Him to come?
I’m giving away The Beauty of Grace to one lucky person who answers that question in the comments.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
My husband and I were discussing the passage in Matthew this week where Jesus is sound asleep in the boat during the storm. He wakes up and asks the disciples why they’re so worried. It’s like, “You guys, just ’cause I’m asleep doesn’t mean I’M NOT WORKING….” Silently, behind the scenes, in the Spirit, when we can’t see Him, He is working.
(This sounds like an inspiring book, btw. Congratulations, Shelly!)
Today a very sweet, shy person I barely know came and spoke to me that they felt the Lord wanted me to know that He is aware of a burden I am carrying for someone; that He loves them more than I do and is in this “season” of their life. That I can cast my cares on Him. It was so unexpected and so kind and meant so much to receive these words of love.
In the waiting on Him for the message I’m writing, and in the daily revelations of His love and truth. Also in seeing my children live out their faith. Love!!! [PS I’m so excited for your news!!!!!] 🙂
I am experiencing God’s love in wonderful online communities of praying women, and I need Him to come in to the lives of 2 adult children in crisis, and I know He will, because He is faithful and always works strongly on behalf of those who love Him.
Ah, I read the subject line of the email hoping this was your news! It has been so wonderful watching from afar as y’all have walked this journey & continue to do so. And I am.so.excited.for y’all!!!
I am experiencing God in the peace that only he can give as we countdown to our daughters wedding, continue on a journey of unemployment and prepare for the death of my father in law. God is good, all the time!
Grace has been ever near yet I have not paid much attention. In the klaxon if my morning alarm, in the tremulous smile of a friend needing more of my time, in the leftovers in my fridge (again?), and in the sweat trickling down my back during exercise class. Grace has walked beside me and held my hand every day, though I’ve not acknowledged her fair and beautiful presence.
Oh Shelley,
I am so excited for you and your family! The wait in the wilderness is now at an end, and the blessed land of the U.K. is shortly at hand. There are many ways that God showers me in Grace but most recently, it’s been found in nature, in long walks with the warmth of the sun on my face and the quiet appreciation of God’s perfect creation.
Shelly, your faith walk challenges me. We live on the farm my husband grew up on just nine miles south of the farm that was my home until I married him.
God has shown me once again that His love trumps the lack of love I perceive from those around me. This is my Achilles’ heel–the lack of assurance that I am lovable and loved. Although my head knows that I “am loved with an everlasting love underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut.33:27), there are times when my sensitive soul feels the loneliness of life in this world.
On a morning after a several-day struggle with this giant, a morning phone call from a loved one was just like God’s voice saying, “See, I care!” #SS
In unexpected new friendships begun while on a plane. Need Him to meet me in an area of fear.
With much joy for you, truly anticipating your post tomorrow! And God’s grace…there are numerous stories to recount, but one season of suffering spanned more than a decade, yet over time, He redeemed those circumstances in miraculous ways! Hindsight strengthens my belief.
I experience God’s love when He takes the time to let me know He is listening, by answering prayers, by providing surprises, and letting me know He is disappointed when I miss my morning prayers, yet He still loves me and provides my needs. Where do I need Him? Right where He is, Everywhere! #SS (Janet from FL at http://faithcounts.wordpress.com )
Shelly, I am so excited for you, H, and Harrison. God directed your steps, and has heard and answered your prayers. He is coming to get you to take you to London. I’m soooo excited for you all. And congratulations upon publication of your story. Can’t wait to read it. I almost answered this last night and was sleepy and feeling a bit down. I’m not feeling God’s love lately. I feel distant. I think I need Him to come to me as Bridegroom and wrap me in the intimacy of His love so that I can *feel* it. Sometimes our hearts really need to experience what our hearts know. He did show me His love recently in reuniting me with my best friend in the 3rd grade. Lynne and I have not seen each other since we were eight years old! She’s Black, and I’m White, and we both love Him, where one cannot detect any color differences in matters of the heart. God has resurrected some things in my life the last couple of years–like this friendship (that originated some 54 years ago), and my singing. He even sent me a recording of my 16 y/o voice as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific–a recording I never knew was made. I had always wished there had been. So these are sweet little reminders of His love. But I still just need His embrace–far longer and more and more. So that’s whwere I am. So glad you are experiencing the depths of His love in tangible ways.
Love
Lynn
I’d meant to say that our hearts need to experience what our minds know! You probably realized that.
What great news. God is faithful but I must say you too have been such a witness in your faithfulness and struggle this past year. Your honest sharing of your journey has taught us so much. Thank you and thank you Lord for leading them on their way. Congrats on being in the book too.
First, WOO-HOO! Your wait time is almost over, and you’ll soon be standing under Big Ben, eyes glistening! With those who have already commented, I add my delight that all of our prayers will shortly be answered. Also, congratulations for the publication of your story. No doubt there will be more of Shelly Miller on the shelves in the future!
As to your question about experiencing God’s love lately: He gave me a lovely, pale blue scarf that goes perfectly with a sweater I bought elsewhere, earlier this winter. (Actually, I discovered the scarf on a sales rack, but I think he saved it and discounted it for me!)
I’m so happy for you getting to go where you wanted to go, England! And your book and actually I don’t have that one yet and with all those writers, goodness, it will be great! I have been having wanderlust lately but not even sure where I want to go, but I have several ideas, to move about as far north as I am south in the United States, Montana! I am in south central Texas but my kids and grandchildren are there and I miss them and want to be able to visit them anytime I want. Just to have them pop over and knock on my door would thrill me so much, such a simple thing for a lot of people. Well, I want that book so much that I will buy it unless I get lucky enough to actually win it. I have never won anything in my life but a bunny rabbit on Easter when I was in Jr. High. Just not the winning type. In fact I would never go to Las Vegas, maybe to eat but not to throw my money down the drain. God bless you and you’re in my prayers that everything goes smoothly.