The Journey of Faith

Our construction journey has begun. I have looked forward to this for so long and it is finally here. Sort of - This journey of construction has been much harder than I anticipated. God keeps putting me in places of doing things that I have never done before. I have never been a part of building a building, so I might have had a few unrealistic expectations. Just a few. One of my frustrations is that we still haven't seen any actual construction taking place. We have made a lot of decisions and talked to a lot of people, but no machinery has shown up yet. Trust me, if you have been around me, you have heard me vent my frustration. (Sorry). 

What I have realized is that I don't really like the journey. I just want to be there. I am more of a destination person. I would much rather fly than drive. If I do have to drive, I don't want to stop on the way, even if there is a Buc-cee's..  When I am driving somewhere in town, I pick the route with the fewest lights. Even if it's longer, if it limits the times I have to stop, I want to go that way. I am goal oriented and just want to get to the end so I can move on to the next goal. I am not saying that is a good thing. I have just recognized this about myself. I just want to be there, I don't want to stop on the way and I don't want anyone to slow me down.

Faith is definitely a journey. It is easy to have faith, but walking by faith is another story. This journey of construction has been a challenge of my faith. I believe with all my heart that God wants us to build a new building. He has done miraculous things to get us here and to make this possible. We can't deny it. When we started this part of our journey, God miraculously turned the table for the property behind us to become available and then miraculously provided the money for us to buy it!! He then provided an opportunity to purchase the land beside us and to pay cash for that, too!! That is not normal. It is indeed God's hand, favor and provision.

Now, here we are in the next part of this journey. We knew it was time to build! Our first bid that came in for our expansion was $945,000. Our board wanted us to raise the full amount before we started to build. Impossible. Then we did it!! NOW, it is time to build. But, wait. We had to get a new bid because of increased costs. The new number is now 50% higher!! Seriously? We have to raise $500,000 more??? Then I remember, "God did it before. He can do it again." I know that, but it is sometimes hard to walk it out. Then, there are all of these other obstacles, decisions, and detours that are causing me to have to stop on the way.  I am having to go way slower than I wanted. 

I often hear, "It is all in God's timing." Honestly, sometimes when someone says that it makes me want to scream.(Again, I am sorry.)  But it is true. That is what the journey of faith is about. Trusting God every, single step of the way. Trusting Him when the next decision means it is going to take longer. Trusting when compromises have to be made and I might not be getting all that I wanted. Trusting Him when I realize that I don't understand any of this and many times I don't even know what they are talking about. Trusting that in my lack of knowledge that He has surrounded me with the BEST people to walk with me and to help me in this journey of faith and construction.

The bottom line is that I am grateful. When I look back on the journey of the PARC, who would have ever thought we would be here doing all of this!! So many people have been touched and changed. Have found hope. Yes, this journey of faith is hard, but sign me up!! I don't want to miss a thing, and it is in the journey that we truly get to see and know God. And that is the best part of all!!