Along His Path

"In his heart a man plans his course, the but the Lord determines his steps" - Proverbs 16:9

As a family, we are in the midst of a journey. A journey of God's leading, obeying as He determines our steps.

It has been a delight to serve in many nations, sharing His love, and learning to hear His voice and obey. To be sure, we have been ruined for the ordinary and rejoice on the path that God continues to lead us on. And it’s just the beginning!

On our recent visit to the US, the Lord began to tug on our hearts. In the past, we had told Him that we would serve Him anywhere, except back in the US. Our hearts were closed, but God delights in changing hearts. Laying down all of our dreams and plans for the future, we finally surrendered everything, even being willing to serve on the mission field in the US.

Once we opened our hearts, the Lord started to pour into our family, directing us down a new path. We absolutely love serving in Costa Rica and we spent countless hours in prayer and sought godly counsel. I struggled, threw tantrums, and finally sat quiet enough to hear God's gentle whisper to my heart.

In a time of intercession, I cried out to God, "We will have nothing. We will have nothing." over and over again. My flesh screamed reminding me of the friends, the ministry, the children, the country that I would leave behind. Exhausted from simply pouring out all my heart, I finally listened.

My gentle Shepherd gathered me into His arms and spoke. "Sarah Dawn, you will have everything, you will have me." I love missions, I love Central America, I love Costa Rica, but I love my Lord even more.

Honestly, it is hard to leave Costa Rica, but we have committed to hearing God’s voice and radically obeying, despite the cost. Moving back to the United States is something we never thought we would do. Only God could touch our hearts in this way and guide our path. Many of you truly know our passion for Central America and missions, what must God have in store? Something beyond our wildest dreams I’m sure.

Lord as I walk on this journey, thank you for determining my steps. Teach me not only to walk in obedience, but to dance with joy along the path.

Watered Down Juice

The Juice Detectives

I must confess, I am a mom that waters down juice.

In our home on the mission field, apple juice is a treat to be savored, sipped and enjoyed, every last drop. We found a huge jug of the sweet stuff at a great price. It's been in our fridge for a while now ...

Even though my boys will squeal for a cup for breakfast, the jar remains mysteriously full. Yesterday, I got caught, my secret exposed. My four year old spied mommy watering down the juice.

A smile spread across my face and then my heart. In the daily delights, I am beginning to see my Abba Daddy's fingerprints, just like the apple juice. I asked Him about the juice in my life.

What type of fruit do I produce, and when it's squeezed and tested, what type of juice does my life ooze?

When my little ones tasted their first cup, the purity delighted their senses. As I diluted the juice, their taste became accustomed to the watered down version.

I only want 100% juice to quench my spiritual thirst. no watered down diluted gospel will satisfy. What is my spirit drinking?

Has God's truth been watered down by the world, by comfort, by ease in my life? Only the pure sweet goodness that comes from the tree of life will satiate my spirit.

Recently, someone asked me a question, a question I am rolling over and drinking deep. Is the gospel that I live, the same gospel that got Jesus crucified? Or in my words, is it watered down?

Fill my cup today Lord, with the real stuff and teach me to stop watering it down.

Heartbeat of Heaven

I've heard it said that we can hear the heartbeat of heaven. To know His plans. To rise up above the warring level of prayer into His glory.

When we hear His plans, our prayers change. Our intercession takes a tone of authority as we simply partner with Him and speak His plan of victory.

My heart longs to be close enough to hear His heartbeat. But is it really possible?

I am honestly asking, and my Abba is lovingly answering. In a precious moment of still peace, a gift of Isaiah 40:11 filled my mind.

"He tends his flocks like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs close to his heart."

My good shepherd carries His lambs. Wrapping his arms around them, He pulls them close to his chest. They can rest in His arms ... and hear His heartbeat.

Lord, create in me the simplicity of a lamb, innocent, trusting, able to be carried in your arms, hearing the heartbeat of heaven.

Seeds of Humility

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3: 5-6

I am honored and humbled to pour into a group of people seeking after God with their whole hearts. For an entire week, God is allowing me to shape them through His Word and help them up onto the potter's wheel. Still in awe that God delights to use broken pots like myself.

Teaching and learning this week.

Learning what it means to hear His voice. I'm such a simple sheep, but what joy that my shepherd can teach me to clearly hear his voice. I can rest in in John 10:27 and wrap His promises around me, snug and tight, keeping out the chill of doubt.

God longs to reveal His plans to those who will walk in humility, have the faith to ask, be still and wait upon Him, and walk in obedience when he speaks.

Humility, being willing to be known for who I am, no more, no less. I'm learning and cultivating it in my life right along with my students this week. This plant still needs to grow a bit more in my heart.

Today, something I wanted, selfish desires, pride, lurked in my heart. What I wanted was given to someone else and disappointment evolved into tears of sadness. Wiping away a tear, my Shepherds voice gently called to me.

Prefer your brother, Sarah Dawn. I should know, I just taught this yesterday, simple ways to cultivate humility. Time to take out the trowel and dust off my gardening gloves.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2: 3-4

I made a choice. I chose humility, deciding in my heart that I wanted them to have the special treasure. And instantly, the pain fled. I heard my Shepherd's voice, I rejoiced, I planted a new seed.

Colored Pencils in our Lives

God's colored pencils splashed across the sky in San Jose, Costa Rica

I have a secret to share ... I'm on a journey this week. A journey of hearing God's voice and teaching others as well. Tonight, as I sat to prepare my teaching, I couldn't find my favorite colored pencils, you know my favorites, the ones that just perfectly underline things and feel comfy in my fingers.

In the grand scheme of preparing a lesson for a 5 day teaching (with only a day's notice) the pencils were not super important. But, they were to me.

I asked everyone, my family, the guests in our home, nothing. I looked in all the normal places, nada. A bit sad, I almost gave up. But then that still small voice, the One I am learning to listen to, told me to look in a certain box. (where the pencils would never be)

For those of you who don't know me, I love being organized, I would never have looked in the wrong place for my chosen sticks of color, without a gentle nudge. But, they were right there.

Without even thinking, I said out loud "YAY Jesus! I love it when He does that for me." and skipped up the stairs to keep preparing, pencils in hand.

God delights to communicate with us on the big things, and the little colored pencils in our lives. May He color on your life today with all of His promises.