from a land of miracles into a land of promise

...at least that is what the speaker (first Apostle Ron, then Apostle Shane said.... and yes, I did use those titles and yes I believe they exist now shut up) said at the time.

They were talking about how God took the Israelities out of the desert with a plan to put them in the Promised Land. A land flowing with milk and honey. This is where he intended to take everyone. However, they started in a desert. Every time they needed *anything* there was panic and desperation and just out and out foolishness because they simply didn't know where the food and water and protection for themselves and their families was coming from. God simply created miracles on the fly as they were needed. Mind you, the miracles weren't meant to keep them in the middle of the desert; the miracles were meant to keep them moving toward God's goal.

This has been my life for so long. Going to college was a miracle. The loans I managed to get were a miracle. Places to live when school was out was a miracle. Summer jobs were a miracle. Having money was a miracle. Being taken care of in some of the oddest of circumstances - which came through some of the oddest channels - were miracles. The constant ups and downs and riding life by the seat of your pants... yeah, that was me. I dare say, that was all of us at one point...

"... but then, God..."

When they finally learned to listen and (mostly) obey, stop being foolish, stop taking miracles for granted, stop warring with themselves and other people and so many other things. They came to a river. When they crossed, they entered the Promised Land and fought a few more wars. After those wars, God gave them this land (He had long before, but I'll go on...). When they got there, there was no more manna. Instead, there was land to plow and seeds to plant and crops to harvest. The shoes wore out (mind you, they had not worn out at all while in the desert). No more miracle water out of rocks; there were nearby rivers and wells.

I realize that, this is where I am now. I don't freak out about bills even when they are significantly large. Now, I don't spend hours going "Oh God why..." or even "Oh God, how...." I just nod my head and say, "God, thank You...." and pay my bills because God has given me a job that pays me enough to do just that. For instance, last Friday, I paid $608.81 in one day for bills. Obviously not in my budget plans, but did I freak? No. I just paid the bills and adjusted accordingly. Didn't even break my stride. It was just "*sigh* let me go the back and get it...." Not even a year ago, I would have flipped like "how am I getting this money?!" I have learned to budget because of varying things that have been thrown my way. I have learned to be planted and not move from the spot I've fought to maintain. I go to work, I'm responsible, I get the cash, I put it where it should be and my life works. This still goes back to God because I wouldn't have even gotten the job if it weren't for His hand on my life and moving in the hearts of other people.

... but know this: I just barely stepped onto the property. I haven't even seen harvest yet. I'm just tilling up soil and sowing a couple of seeds here and there. Keep watching.