Only Grace

So.

No paint.

(Fake some surprise.)

***

You know how God can take a really disappointing situation and turn it into something full of hope?

We've been witnessing one of those over the last week.

I've shared the Carney's story with you.  This young family of 6 has accepted the call to serve at an amazing orphanage in Guatemala.  

I've told you how they've prepared...how they've sold all of their belongings.

Their moving date is this week.

Only they won't be moving.

Not yet.

Bottom line:  their funding needs haven't been met.  

We hoped that the goal would be reached as their departure drew nearer.  But it just wasn't God's timing.

The King is on the board of Only Grace, the non-profit that is sending them.  Being a part of making that difficult decision was so incredibly hard for him.  How do you tell this family that the plans they have made over the last year are not going to happen as they expect?

I've already learned a few things from the experience.  

1. You cannot give God a timeline.  We set the date of June 20.  He didn't. 

2.  True character is seen when disappointment arrives.  Do you handle it with grace or with complaining?  

3.  God doesn't complicate things... we do that on our own.  

4.  Anything can be justified.  Seriously.  I think I could find a really good reason to only eat chocolate sundaes every meal for the rest of my life.

5.  When God prompts you to do something, do it.

6.  True courage is choosing to do the right thing when it will be unpopular and the wrong thing would be easier.

The Carney's have handled this with grace.  They are so excited to move to Casa, but accepted the decision made by the board.  They are disappointed, for sure. But they are focused on learning the lesson that God intends for them to learn.

Their testimony is going to be amazing!

I was having a difficult week last week anyway, and adding this to it was more than I could handle.  So I pretty much tried to talk The King into doing the easy thing.  

I might have even gotten a little mouthy.

Thankfully, he had the good sense to seek wise counsel and ignore his meddling wife.

(That sentence may or may not be edited out of the final post.)  

What really sticks with me is how often we intend to do something and never get around to it.  You know that commercial about how "almost giving is not giving" or something like that?

So true.

I'm not throwing stones here.  I'm guilty of the same thing.  

So many people assured the Carney's that they'd support them monthly and never did.

Of course, the economy reeks and things come up.  That is absolutely understandable.  

A lot of people just forget, though.  I have done that so many times.

When you feel prompted to support your local missionaries or Compassion or Only Grace or whatever...do it.  This experience has shown me that there really is no amount that is too small.  

And I fully believe that you'll never miss that money.  God always replenishes the storehouse. 

Always.

Even in the frustration of the delay, I know this is the right thing.  June 20 was never the date that God intended on sending them to Casa permanently.  He knows the perfect date.  

When He feels they are prepared to go, the money will be in place.

It is so nice to rest knowing that His plans are better than ours.

If you think of it, pray for the Carney's.  This is a major change of plans for them. (Did I mention they sold all their stuff?)  I know they are tired.  They've been living out of suitcases for a month...in and out of friends' homes...with 4 boys. 

I'm excited to see what God has planned for them.

In a strangely parallel universe, our builder shared these words with us...

Disappointment creates opportunity.

I'm thinking he's right.

(And I'll have paint by 2012.)

Comments

[kyoot]

I've always been told that "if you want to see God laugh, make plans." :)

[Andy]

Well written and well said. My heart aches for the Carneys as we face similar challenge.

[karen]

The thing that smacked me upside the head was "true character is seen when disappointment arrives." So true. (and convicting.) I'll be praying for the Carney's.

[Kelly @ Love Well]

That's a tough blow. And you're right -- true character is shown when the tough times hit.

Praying for everyone in this situation right now.

[laura]

You are absolutely right that God replenishes the storehouses! If He wants you to give, then He will provide the funds. In January we upped our support of some friends from $30 monthly to $160 because they had lost one of their major supporters. While our savings account isn't quite as large as we might like, all of our needs have been abundantly met!

[Capri Kel]

I like your statement that our timeline is NOT God's timeline. If more people could realize that, there would be a lot less upheaval!

[Michele]

I loved reading the lessons God is teaching you. Beth Moore says,"It's easier to learn the hard lessons through someone else, than to have to experience the pain ourselves..."
That makes me think it's so important to take the lessons learned by others to heart for ourselves too!
We're adding the Carney's to our prayer list.

[andi]

Man, I was struggling with this today as I was praying about a local missionary couple that are home from Japan due to financial reasons. When we can't see His hands, we can trust His heart. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing these hard lessons!