As We Go: Learning to be Present

People are always asking questions. When we were just friends, people asked: "Aren't you two going to ever date?" When we did start dating freshman year of college, the constant question was: "How long before you two get engaged?" When we got engaged senior year, conversations with new people usually included: "When is the wedding?" We actually weren't sure of our wedding date until 2-3 months of being engaged. Now that we're married, we keep getting asked: "When are you having children?" What?

All of these questions are just conversation starters, and they really do show someone cares, so we aren't upset when people ask for updates on our life.

It's fun to share and ask for prayer from family and friends! However, we are constantly having to give these questions over to the Father because we don't want to start thinking we're in control-- He is! He has been teaching us recently to just be... thinking about the next step in life is unnecessary because He has it all under control. We're learning that 1 Jn. 5:14-15 is so true: "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will he hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." We can confidently say, "Let Your will be done, Father and help us to grow closer to You so we desire whatever brings you the glory."

As we continue our year of service with EAT South, we're going to be present. Of course, it is okay to be researching some options for next year and pray about what the Father is calling us to do after next July, but we're not going to dwell on it. He will work it out, and we're excited to find out what His plans are in His timing. So if we are asked (and we probably will be), "What are your plans for next year?" we will simply answer, "We don't know!" Because we don't.

Side-note from Sara: Being present is something I have recently had to ask Him for the strength to do. I'm a planner. When it comes to organizing and cleaning, some people would say I have OCD tendencies. Marriage is helping me learn that a messy room is okay, especially when cleaning means not spending time with each other because that is definitely more important [but cleaning together is fun too]! Sometimes things don't go my way, and that is okay-- His plans for our future are more wonderful than I could ever plan. Giving up that "control" is difficult but so worth it. When I turn my ideas, plans, and desires over to Him, I can focus on becoming more in love with my Savior. Eventually my desires align with His, and it is so much more satisfying when I get to be part of His Name being glorified instead of my own. What a beautiful experience it is when I can just be in His presence, doing what He calls me to do, without distractions of planning my future!