For almost twenty years I have been moving. When I arrived in Memphis in January 1998 I was only going to be here for six months. Yes, that was my plan. I had every good intention of returning to a previous place of residence (yep, you guessed it…because of a man). But God closed that door. It was not in the Father’s plan for me to move backwards so he opened a door for me to stay.

So I stayed. But I was not happy. I bought a house. I still was not happy. I got a new man – a little happy but not overjoyed because I simply was not living right. I got a new car (because my old car broke down not because I was trying to be happy J). I had gotten a promotion. This promotion came on the heels of me trying move (again). I was determined to leave Memphis. But God opened the door for me to stay.

So I stayed. But I wasn’t happy. Then things began to fall apart in my life at which point my family wanted me to come home to North Carolina. Then I didn’t want to leave. This was home. This was comfort. If I had left in the midst of my failure, I never would have recovered. God had a plan for me. Now my eyes couldn’t see the plan, my ears had not heard the plan and it surely had not entered my heart the things that the Lord had in store for me. Why? Because I didn’t love the Lord quite that much back then. But I stayed. I wasn’t happy, but I stayed.Joy W Book front small

Despite my unhappiness, the Lord provided. Jehovah Jireh provided shelter – a place to lay my head. Through the ups and downs, God kept me. While I was in my mess, I met another man. I know you all are like, “Really?” Well misery does like company. But God provided a way of escape. The way was always there, I just had to choose to execute the evacuation plan. Seeking first things first was the key. (Matthew 6:33). I got out. I got loose. I got delivered. I got set free. No more chains holding me!

But you know how we do. We forget where we have been and what we have gone through. We forget that it was God who closed certain doors and opened other doors. We forget that it was God who provided the way of escape and we start doing our own thing again. But when you know better, you do better. Or you get convicted sooner. When you slip, you don’t fall down as hard or stay down as long. There finally comes a point when you say that enough is enough.

You start singing Shana Wilson’s, “Lord, Give me You, Everything else can wait; Lord, Give me You, I hope I’m not too late”. See “everything else” is my plan and “Give me You” is God’s plan. When you say, “Lord, Give me YOU” first “everything else” will be added in God’s time.

God is the standard. ~ Jesus is the key. ~ Holy Spirit fill me up as I wait on thee.

I wait in tiptoe anticipation of the plans you have for me. “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind this woman the things God has prepared for me!” (1 Corinthians 2:9) But I love you Lord and I’m going to wait – trusting, knowing and believing that is not too late.  Delight yourself in Lord Psalm 37and he will give you the desire of your heart (Psalm 37:4). Delight yourself in the Lord and he will order you steps.  Ready to move forward God’s way. Delighting myself in the Lord and following his change of plans.

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