Peace

 A cypress tree

      My thoughts have been going a thousand different directions the last week or so. Not only are they really confusing, but some of them aren't even worth mentioning. Last week Tuesday I packed up my car with all my important possessions and moved to Waterloo, Ontario. There were so many unanswered questions that clouded my mind. The main one being what I should do about the offer to teach at Countryside Christian School. But as I drove, great amounts of PEACE flooded my soul. I began praying and found that God was so very close and comforting. He was right there with me, giving me assurance that I was doing the right thing, and He would lead me. It was beautiful!! There are some verses in Isaiah that have been very special to me the last few years. They say...

       I will go out with JOY and be lead by the Lord, with PEACE. The mountains and the hills will break forth before me into SINGING, and all the trees of the field shall CLAP their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name of renown, for an everlasting sign of jubilant exaltation and memorial to His praise, which shall not be cut off.

      Isn't that beautiful! And yes, as I was driving God reminded me of my favorite verses. It was like God was saying... 

     "Amanda don't you see! I have an amazing plan for you! I am leading you to a new land, with new opportunities. Just rest in Me. You may be uncertain, and unsure of what to do, but I am guiding you. I will not let you go. I will not hurt you. Just trust Me, and follow My heart."

       What promises!!!! So I did.... but as the due date to give my answer to Countryside grew nearer I again found myself worrying about what to decide. I felt like if I would say "Yes" I would regret it, and if I would say "No" I would regret it. I again sought for God's guidance, and again He reminded me that He would lead me with JOY and PEACE. I prayed again and drove off to my meeting, still unsure as to what my answer would be. But as I drove I thought of all the little things that God had been showing me. All the little nudges, and signs that were pointing in the same direction. "But God," I said, "What if it's a wrong decision? What if I regret it? What if I fail? What if I get hurt? What if I feel like I'm in prison? I won't be able to get till next summer." The moment I started questioning and doubting, God again had to remind me...

     "I am HERE! I am with YOU! I am leading you. I have an amazing plan for you! Just trust me."
(You would think I would learn) :)  I gave it all to God and said, Ok, I will teach, my answer is yes. God is with me! He has a plan for me in this. Instantly great amounts of PEACE flooded my soul. I knew I had my answer. I knew I was following God's heart. The mountains and hills were singing, and the trees of the field were clapping their hands, but they weren't the only ones giving jubilant praise to God, my heart was free and light. God had spoken and given peace, why wouldn't I praise Him?

A myrtle tree