We weren’t really happy with where we were in life and began to notice the change in our hearts. God was placing a desire for something more for our family and we began praying for God’s will and direction for our life. We waited for the answer, we lived our lives the best we knew how and we repeated. Again and again. One day it was decided…my husband wanted to go to optometry school at 30 something years old with a house and 2 kids. Mmm hmm. Optometry school and all that. How was that going to work?
In 2015, my husband was waitlisted for his school of choice – we waited some more and never received the final call. We were disappointed, even wondered if we were on the right path and heard God wrong. It was hard realizing that the year of planning was not going to open the door that we so desperately wanted. We wanted a change in our life but it was not the right season. It wasn’t God’s time. During this time contemplating, I could see how that path to move to that state wasn’t right for us. It wasn’t right for our boys who are our number one priority and it certainly wasn’t right for us. It was almost like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole – nothing was right or felt right. God used the next year to reveal Himself on an even deeper level, growing my faith and prepping our hearts for an adventure that was awaiting us. As you can see, we experienced some setbacks with the first plan. I learned what exactly it meant to have faith and trust God in all things. He really used this time to show us who He was and that His plans are always perfect for us even when we can’t see the bigger picture or we are going through something we don’t understand. I learned that it’s about God’s plan, not mine.
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight.
We don’t always think about what life may hold for us if we decide a different path other than God’s best. That is why it’s important to put God first and seek Him first. We are such want it now beings that sometimes we don’t think about the consequences. I am so overjoyed that God looks out for His children especially when it comes to unforeseen circumstances. However, some trials may be necessary for our own spiritual growth but I believe that God stopped this door for being opened for reasons He may only know. For He knows the plans for our life before we were even born and I really had to live by this verse because it was by faith and trust in Him that we were able to get through this season. So, what next? My husband applied for the next year but this time he applied to the new school in Kentucky as well. It would be another year of waiting.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
You know what? In the end, He showed me just how perfectly beautiful seeking His will can be.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Stay tuned for the next part of our story!
Xoxo,
Hannah B.
Collective Circle Gathering 