A Rough Road Turned Into Joy


Let me start by saying, God is making beauty from the ashes because that is the nature of his character. Satin has tried to throw some curve balls at me, but God has caught them. 

The Devil has tried to define my year with depression, anxiety, and over all emotional exhaustion, but he didn't win. I have been through domestic violence, loss of friendship, a car crash, and more. Yes, I have been through hard times, but somehow through the hardship God has always pulled me back to him. My prayer journal this year has been filled with me crying out to God to help me and get me through the mess. I may have had a hard time walking the Christian walk, but I have never took my eyes off Jesus. I am not talking about my faith like this to brag, but to show that even though I am a mess Jesus has never gave up on me. He has been through this broken road with me. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 
James 1:2-4
Through the trials I have ran to Jesus. Sometimes Jesus was all I had, even the counselor I was seeing did not understand what I was going through. There have been nights where I have laid in my bed tossing and turning praying for Jesus to take it all away. I ran to Jesus and persevered. I feel stronger and more mature in my faith. 

The devil might have tried to destroy my faith in Jesus, but he only made it stronger. I never thought I would say this, but "Thanks Satin, you brought me closer to my one true love, Jesus!" I might look more like a battered and beat soul than a beautiful godly woman, but I am getting there. God is molding and sculpting me to be that and it doesn't happen over night.

"Jesus replied 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
John 13:7

Life is like a journey and God is in control every step of the way. We make choices to determine our paths, but God is still in control no matter what path we are on. Sometimes it is hard to remember this, but when I do it is a gentle reminder to look up and realized I am not alone. 

As this school year has come to a close I have so much to reflect on. As God is closing one chapter of my life he is opening a new one. 

This leads me to tell you, I have been praying for quite sometime about where God wants me to go in life. He is closing the door of pursuing my degree in elementary education. Today I finished my last class to earn my associates degree in pre-elementary education. I don't exactly know what God has next for me, but for now I am going to continue to lead Young Life and seek God. I feel called to full time ministry in some way, also something I never thought I would say. Bible college somewhere along the road might be in the works. I am not giving up on school I just don't feel that what I am working toward is where God wants me. 

As for the summer God opened a door today as he closed one. With in an hour I had two people from a camp in Georgia interested in me. I ended taking a job at Winshape Camps in GA as an athletic equipment assistant. You can call me water girl if you would like.

Almost 2 moths ago I ran for student senate. After not getting it I felt God show me that he had something different for me. The he laid the south in my heart so I started filling out camp applications like crazy and just when I was about to give up God blew my mind. His timing is absolutely perfect. Last night, I realized I have no idea what I am doing for the summer and today God showed me HE knew and know exactly what is going on.

I want to encourage you that no matter what path you are on trust God. I do not know if he is opening or closing a door in your life, but have faith that the Lord  knows what HE is doing.

P.S. I want to encourage, pray, and befriend you. I am on social media as @406_jourd on Instagram and @jourdynMack101 on Twitter, give me a follow and feel free to DM me anytime. If you ever need prayer or someone to talk to email me, jourdynpuppies@gmail.com, don't laugh it is from fourth grade and I stuck with it. 




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