Back in the 801

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 I had to come back to Utah to vote.  Utah is still my legal residence although I am spending quite a bit of time out of town due to the COVID situation in the home state.  I'm planning on making Oregon my permanent home after the first of the year.  In the mean time, I wanted to cast my ballot in this election.

I went to church today and got to see my friends there.  I also got something unexpected:  Answers to just about everything that was on my heart when I left Oregon on Thursday.

Sometimes it's hard to understand, let alone do, what God asks you and as always, He's been so faithful.  I've not been knowing what to do with a couple of things going on at home, but He seemed to be telling me not to take matters into my own hands.  I got confirmation of that with a story the lady that prays for me told me.  I had to let her know that the thing she's been praying for finally happened, but not quite the way either of us had hoped.  She then told me a story about someone who had asked the church and a few people in it for help.  In each instance, God seemed to be telling them not to help this young woman.  The reason became evident in the story she told me.  God used the time she was in her own wilderness to move her into where she needed to be.  I know that's kind of vague but it reminded me that God answers and if we're wise, we'll listen.

Not taking matters into my own hands is like the hardest thing God asks of me because of my propensity to want to "fix" things.  I'm a mechanic by trade and fixing stuff seems like it's in my wheelhouse.  But if God wanted me to fix it, He wouldn't tell me to leave things alone.  And the reason:

For His glory.  Not mine.

The message at church was also good. It was about helping our unbelief, about trusting and following God, and walking with Him.  And there are times that following God means doing what He asks.  That ask for me means doing like the second hardest thing in my life:  Being quiet.

I kind of caught myself murmuring about something, and during the sermon, the answer for that issue came too.  Show hospitality without grumbling.  Sometimes that's not easy either.  But nobody said any of this would be easy.  

I know I was in the absolute right place at the right time this morning.  It was good to see my church family again for a few minutes.  But I also know that I need to keep this visit short and get back to Casa Bonita (almost) By The Sea.

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