Take His Hand

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”  

It’s not always easy to take the next step of faith when you can’t see exactly where that next step leads. Today, I want to encourage you to take God’s hand and let Him lead you.

The Lord had put a desire on my heart to go into the medical field. I had been looking into different medical jobs for months, and was going to start trying to get into nursing school when I graduated in May of 2015 with my bachelor’s in Graphic Design. A lot of factors went into a major decision that I made last week. Last week, I withdrew from college. That might sound crazy, especially since I was so close to finishing. You see, several weeks before that decision, I received a scholarship for military spouses that would completely pay for an online medical assisting program that is also a self-paced program. I start the classes this week, and I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m not sure yet if the Lord will have me fall in love with being a medical assistant or if He will lead me to continue on to nursing school to achieve my ultimate goal of being a NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) nurse. Right now, I’m taking things one step at a time. It has been hard for me, though, because I like knowing what’s going to happen next. I like to know what’s coming, as well as what my next move will be. However, God doesn't always work like that. He wants us to trust Him and His plan for our lives. 

Satan will try to discourage you when you take a step of faith towards the plan God has for you. All week he’s been whispering to me that I’m a failure for not finishing my undergrad. He will take my excitement about this new opportunity and crush it. He has tried to discourage me about the possible lack of job opportunities, or that fact that I might be looked down upon in the medical field because I would only be “just” a medical assistant.

I’ve had to keep reminding myself that God has brought me this far, and He will not let me down now. I will not let go of God’s hand, and He will not let go of my hand. 

“You may not always understand why God allows certain things to happen, but you can be certain that God is not making any mistakes.”

I don’t know what your fears about the future may be, or if you’re a bit nervous because you don’t really understand where God is leading you. Or maybe, you never thought your life would turn out the way it has. 

Claim these beautiful verses from Isaiah 54:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” (Isaiah 54:8-9).

God never forces anyone to do anything. He does not force anyone to accept Him as Savior, but we know He desires for all humans to do so. He does not force His children to do anything, but His desire is for all of us to do. The beautiful thing is that His plan for each of us is different. No two plans are alike. 

Ladies, I can guarantee that God will guide you through each step of His incredible plan for you. So, take His hand and trust Him. 

“A woman who walks with God will always reach her destination.” 

About the Author :

Leah Hill is an Army wife and Graphic Designer. Her desire is to share with others what the Lord has been teaching her, whether through writing or building relationships. Leah thoroughly enjoys writing letters, knitting, staying active, and cherishing every moment with her wonderful husband.

Becoming A Lady of Christ

It’s ok to be a lady. In fact, I think all women should be ladies.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated for the days gone by of how women would talk, act, and dress as ladies. History required women to become ladies, especially those of high social standing, wealth, and royalty. True ladies were not always wealthy though. Money and power were not, and are not prerequisites to being a gracious and poised individual. Instead, I have found that it is something that all women can and should learn. 

As daughters of the King of Kings we have a great responsibility. We are ambassadors for our Heavenly father.  We are princesses.  We need to act accordingly. This does not mean that we have to drink tea with our pinky fingers sticking out or wear stuffy clothing. I believe that being a lady, especially a daughter of the King, begins in our hearts. The reflections of our hearts will manifest themselves in our outward appearance and actions.

My heart breaks when I see young women act and talk crudely. I have been in groups where young women have tried to act like one of the guys. I understand that society does not exactly encourage women to be ladies. Being a lady is associated with not having fun and being a bore.  We as women get upset when a man does not open the door for us, but if we are not acting as ladies how can we expect them to be gentleman? Many times it is said that acting like a lady means that you are weak and helpless. I think this is as far from that truth as it gets. I believe it is a quiet strength.

When I have researched “being a lady” or "characteristics of a lady,” the main thing that pops up on the search engine are a myriad of tips on how one should act, talk, dress. It is all focused on the outside. I believe that by becoming closer to Christ, being a lady will come naturally. If women who are unsaved are able to act like a lady, how much more should daughters of the King be able to act in a way that represents her Heavenly Father? There are some areas that must be learned that are appropriate to the day and age you live in (cell phones and social media, to give a couple of examples).  Proper etiquette for formal and informal settings is one area that is very helpful to know about. Knowing how to act in different settings has been a tremendous help as I have attended formal events as well as hung out with friends at a coffee shop. 

The heart is the foundation for a lady’s dress, actions, and speech. In the fairytales the bad character always has an evil heart. How do you know this? Well, his or her actions and speech definitely showed that. Luke 6:45 says, 

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” 

How is your heart doing? Is it bringing forth evil or good? Are you struggling with bitterness? Anger? Jealousy? Do you need to forgive someone who has wronged you? If your heart is not right with the Lord, it will show.  Our heart is something that we need to constantly keep in check. The Lord is merciful and gracious. If you need to ask His forgiveness for something, He will forgive! Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” 

We cannot act as true ladies of Christ if our hearts are not where they ought to be. Let us each examine our hearts, fall more in love with Jesus, and be true ladies of Christ. 

About the Author :

Leah Hill is an Army wife and Graphic Designer. Her desire is to share with others what the Lord has been teaching her, whether through writing or building relationships. Leah thoroughly enjoys writing letters, knitting, staying active, and cherishing every moment with her wonderful husband.

Trust Him

I listened as the pastor told us about the missionaries we would be taking an offering for that night. As I listened to the pastor I felt God prick my heart to give. Generally, I don’t keep cash in my wallet, but that night I had about $30 that I had recently gotten from cashing in for change. I had planned on using that extra cash as spending money, but God had other plans.

I reached into my wallet and pulled out a few dollars.

All of it. The Holy Spirit nudged my heart.

I struggled. Why all of it? Wasn’t a few dollars enough? I had been so excited about having the 30 extra dollars.

It’s just spending money to you. I will use it for My glory.

Ok, Lord. I thought.  I give it all to You.

The offering plate came down my row, and I dropped all the cash I had into the plate. I felt a peace that I knew was the Holy Spirit. 

When I got home from church that night there was a card waiting for me. It was a wedding card. My husband and I had gotten married in August of this year. The wedding cards and gifts had stopped coming several weeks ago so I was curious about this particular card. I opened up the card. To say that I didn’t freak out would be a complete lie. There was $300 in that envelope. 

I knew that God had me open that card at exactly that moment. If I would have opened it before church I wouldn’t have been able to see God work like He did. I wouldn’t have been able to learn that I need to work on trusting God more and doing what He asks of me with out hesitation – even if it is something small.

Do we trust God when He asks us to give Him all of something? A relationship? Time? Money?  Even our life? Why is it that we think if we are in control of something we know better? We owe God everything. If we struggle with giving the Lord the little things and trusting Him when He asks those things of us, how usable are we as vessels of God?

We never need an explanation from God when He asks something of us because He is God. He will provide for all of our needs. Trust Him. Trust Him, and let Him lead you to the amazing plans He has for you. He may ask you to give up some things along the way, but I can guarantee you won’t regret it. I know it can be scary because we don’t always see the road ahead. We don’t always see the thing that is better that He wants to give us in replace of what we give Him. God tells us though that He has good thoughts for us. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” What encouraging words!  

I have a story that I want to leave you with that I heard in high school from a preacher. This illustration really made me think about how much I actually trust God.

A little girl had a necklace of fake pearls that she treasured very much. She would show them to her daddy every time she would go into his office. “Daddy, look at my pretty pearls!” She would say. One day when the little girl went into her father’s office he asked for her strand of pearls. “Why, Daddy?” She asked as she clutched the pearls around her neck. “Trust me, Sweetheart. Give me your pearl necklace.” The little girl didn’t understand.  She loved her pearls so much. Why would her daddy want her necklace? Finally with her still semi-uncoordinated hands she took off the necklace and handed her precious fake pearls to her father. Her father then proceeded to open the top drawer of his desk. He pulled out a black velvet jewelry box and handed it to his sweet daughter. The girl carefully opened up the pretty box. A gasp escaped her little lips as she looked into her daddy’s eyes. As he fastened the new necklace he said, “I needed you to give me the fake pearls so I could give you something better – real pearls.”

When God asks us to give something up for Him let’s offer it with open hands and a willing heart. Trust Him. 

About the Author :

Leah Hill is an Army wife and Graphic Designer. Her desire is to share with others what the Lord has been teaching her, whether through writing or building relationships. Leah thoroughly enjoys writing letters, knitting, staying active, and cherishing every moment with her wonderful husband.