DAY FIFTY THREE: Making an Ishmael

I got to thinking about something today.

I believe it is possible, and in fact probable, that we can often place more faith in a promise than the person or entity promising it. 

I think I was placing my faith more in the promise that God would take care of us.  Now, this is not a bad promise, in fact, it's a great one.  But I was only looking at the promise, and not the promise maker.  Like Abraham did when he fathered Ishmael to fulfill God's promise of a son.  Except, God's plan was for Isaac, who would not be born like everyone expected.  Abraham believed the promise, but seemed to think he was better suited to get the promise than God.

I believe that God wants us to stay in College Station, pastor the Gate, and work in the schools so we have the same basic schedule as our kids.  I believe that will happen.  But, because I have a lot of trust issues, I got really frustrated when things didn't materialize in the way I intended. 

So, I made an Ishmael.

I making this phrase up just now, and it means taking steps to fulfill God's promise when He seems too slow for us.  My Ishmael was to only see what was right there in front of me, and when that proved not to be the promise fulfillment, I got really angry and upset. 

I've had a few days, and I am still struggling to trust, but it is definitely getting better.  Largely because I've learned that the power of the promise (or our hopes) is not in the promise themselves, but in the God who makes them come true. 

So, I must trust in God, not the things He provides.

And sometimes, by doing that, you get what you're hoping for.

Eventually.