Faith Journey- Day 23

Day 23- Change is Challenging

On Day 22, I reminisced about my treasured friendship with Joyce. I hope you were encouraged by the Biblical example of friendship between Ruth and Naomi. Their’s is an example we should strive to follow in our own friendships.

Often God brings about change through conflict. It can be relational conflict or circumstantial conflict. I shared that The Lord had given Ron and I a brief season of rest. We were thankful for it…because change was a comin’.

The Deaf program at Ryan’s school was changing dramatically. They were adopting a new program for speech development that required Ryan (and us) to learn Cued Speech. Cued Speech is not Sign Language. It’s hand signals produced near your mouth area that signaled the recipient what sound or syllable to produce with their voice.

I am not a proponent or opponent of Cued Speech. But, after much prayer…we decided it was not an option. Ryan was doing well with Sign Language and we simply could not comprehend the confusion of adding hand signals into his curriculum.

So, we began to pray and I felt God was getting ready to move us. Where? We had no idea. We researched Deaf schools and programs all over the US. We visited a Deaf School connected to a Deaf Church and looked into the Washington DC area near Gallaudet University. While the programs and schools were impressive, we did not have God’s peace regarding any of them.

Almost simultaneously, Ron and felt God was calling us back to Florida so Ryan could attend his former elementary school. But, that was all we were sure of. Ron had no prospect of a job and we would need to live with Ron’s parents initially. Again, we were trusting Our Provider and Sustainer.

After we got settled back in Florida, we began looking for ministry opportunities with the Deaf in the area. Our former church did not have a Deaf Ministry. So, we located a Deaf church in the area and began to attend. However, after a few weeks of attendance, Ryan began to give us a hard time about going to church. He told us there were no other kids and that it was boring. Landon was not too keen on it either for the same reasons. The people were nice and welcoming to our family. But, for some reason both boys were opposed to it. Every Sunday was a struggle. That had never happened before. We persevered and continued to attend hoping and praying for His guidance.

Christmas 2004 was on a Sunday. The Deaf church decided to cancel services. So, I contacted the pastor from our former church, Dr. Tommy Green at First Baptist Church of Brandon. Through email, I explained our situation and asked if it would be okay for me to interpret the service for Ryan on Christmas Sunday. He graciously agreed.

As Pastor Tommy was preaching that Christmas Sunday, he put forth the vision for FBCB for 2005. He said, “I feel God is calling us to start a language ministry this next year.” On a phone call with Ron the next morning, Pastor Tommy said that as he was saying those words, he looked down at me interpreting and felt The Lord compelling him that FBCB was to start a Deaf Ministry. In the coming weeks, Ron accepted a part-time position over Deaf Ministry and Evangelism at First Baptist Church of Brandon.

When Ron and I left Florida, we did not expect to ever return. We had burned the plow so to speak. But, The Lord had other plans and AGAIN used our Ryan to propel us into His call for our lives.

We were excited but nervous about starting a Deaf Ministry from the ground up. We felt the weight of all that would entail. We had to cling to our Way-Maker and trust His guidance.

• Read Exodus 33

In the chapters leading up to Chapter 33, there was conflict in the camp. The Israelites were an obstinant people. While Moses was on Mount Sinai meeting with God and receiving the commandments, the people got bored and discouraged. They decided to make an idol of a golden calf. While still on the mountain, God told Moses what the people had done and wanted to destroy them. Moses interceded on behalf of the people and God showed mercy. But, The Lord was going to remove His presence. Again, Moses interceded for the people.

• Read Exodus 33:15

What does Moses beg of The Lord?

 

Oh Lord, “If your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”

 

When God calls us…He will lead us. We do not want to go ahead of Him or worse yet, go without Him. That doesn’t mean that what The Lord calls us to is laid out like Map Quest. I wish it were sometimes. But, we have to trust the open doors He provides and change directions when He closes doors that are wrong for us.

The Israelites had experienced God’s amazing miracles first hand and still turned their backs on Him at the first sign of trouble. That’s how the enemy works. At the first sign of trouble, he plants seeds of doubt in our minds and if left to their own devices, become full-fledged sin of disobedience. That’s why we must stand firm in our faith and proclaim…if You, Oh Lord, are not in this thing, DO Not lead us up from here. Make Your presence known.

Our path back to Florida was filled with uncertainty. But, we both knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, it was His will to step through that door and follow His lead. We had to trust that once we walked down the hallway through that open doorway, He would provide the next open door.

My friends, some open doors look good at first glance…but are not God’s plan for us. Pray and seek His guidance. Then, depend on His peace in the decision-making process. If you are unsure…beg for His conformation. He is faithful…always! He can be no less than who He is…

Praying that The Lord will guide and protect you today!