Extraordinary miracles have taken place in my heart.
I’m going into year three of walking with the disciples. I’ve learned to give God my home, my finances, my talents. Some of those were easier to offer up. Others I held on too long.
This was my miracle: When I finally released my hold, I actually gained so much more.
In today’s video I tell about one of the harder things to release: my family. Goodness, that was a wrestling match, but I’m there.
What does that leave?
What might God still want?
Oh. . . he wants me.
All of me.
The parts that are sad. The parts that get angry. The part of me that delights in simple things. He wants my dreams. My goals and plans. My doubts. My fear. My anxiousness when things don’t go as planned.
He wants that goofy part that makes my littles go, “Gaga, you are craaaazy.”
Sometimes we just want to give God the best parts of us, but he wants all of it.
Giving all of ourselves to God simply means that we live with an ear toward His voice.
Maybe I’m hurt by a friend’s words. My flesh says, “build a wall,” but where is Christ leading? Most likely, if I’m listening, He’s leading toward forgiveness, or resolution, or grace. Perhaps he’s asking me to stick it out and work through a hard place.
I listen, but then I step right into His presence — all of me. I don’t wait until I have it figured out.
Lord, take my anger. Take my hurt. See my lack of knowledge on what to do. Lead me. If it doesn’t work out the way, I think it should, I give that part to you in advance. I’ll trust that doing what You ask is my only part to play.
When we live with an ear toward His voice, we hold conversations
with God rather than constant confession.
Maybe you only go to God when you mess up, or when things are bad.
Lord, I screwed up.
Jesus, I wish I hadn’t done that.
I’m such a miserable worm.
What might happen if you begin to go to Him first? What if you gave yourself to Him — not just in the hard parts — but in the good parts as well?
Let’s decide, as 13th disciples, to show up as ourselves in our relationship with God.
If we’re struggling, let’s bring that to Him. If we are angry or frustrated, let’s not wait until we are over it before talking to God about it. If we are sleep deprived and worried, let’s show up with circles and shadows under our eyes with the understanding that He welcomes us.
This has the power to change where we are going, and what we are feeling, but more so it’s just an honest, beautiful, challenging way to live our faith.
We are on the last chapter of this study. Can you believe it?
I need a blogging rest, but I’ve treasured doing this with you. I don’t know many of you face-to-face, but we’ve prayed together and grown in our faith and I love that.
So, let’s get to Chapter Twelve. It’s all about giving so that we can go.
What might it look like for you to give God all of you?
Suzie
- Read Chapter Twelve
- Watch today’s video
- Answer the discussion starter
- Answer the questions at the end of the book
Oh, Suzie, this so resonates with me. As a single mom for over 15 years, I easily slipped into thinking these kids were mine. The thought of relinquishing control felt almost irresponsible. There’s probably some pride creeping in there as well! I just watched The Insanity of God this week. The Ripken’s lost their son while living as missionaries in some of the worst areas of the world. They were burdened with the thought of whether it was worth it to risk their family doing God’s work. They had to hold on with open hands as you say. What a tough thing to do. It reminded me of God so graciously holding on to His son, Jesus, with open hands. To let go of His protection and allow Jesus to complete God’s plan. A plan we know is always good and perfect. How it must have grieved God, as it does us, as we watch a loved one go through trials. But trials can be the perfecter of our faith if we allow it. Thank you so much for this! Loved it and I will be sharing.
Suzie, This video could not have resonated more with me. I have a 12 year old who doesn’t want to go to church. My heart wants to clutch so tightly, and say, You will go to church, you will love my God, you will, you will, you will. Really, he just doesn’t have many close friends at church, and he is having trouble finding his place. I know God loves him more than I do, and that He can be trusted with my son’s life. I have always been taught to give my life to God, that everything belongs to God, to give my tithe to God, but I have never been taught how to be a momma who needs to live with open hands in the hard situations, especially with her children. I have been taught that I am God’s child, but I have never been encouraged to come running into His arms even with my dirty feet, unwashed face, and soiled clothes. Even with that part of me that says, I am not enough. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have it all together. Thank you for being real and vulnerable, and being a mentor for those of us still finding our way.
Laurie, is there a church where he may have a chance at closer connections? I’m praying with you and for you, reaching with a mama’s heart, to agree that our God who loves your son like crazy will show you how to respond, if at all.
Giving God our people is quite the battlefield, isn’t it? “If they’ll just do it my way…” ~ that’s my battlefield right there. It all boils down to trust, doesn’t it? I’m cheering for you, Suzie, as you’ve grown in trust and offered your people to Him, and are now encouraging others to do likewise. I’m praying for myself and others in the area as well.
OK, now. You are touching a tender spot. Giving our families to God! Oh the trust involved. But goodness, the peace that follows. I’m still working on this very thing. My new motto is, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” I say it all the time. Blessings on your day, Suzie!
Giving has been my biggest hurdle from day one as a believer. First, giving of my income. For a girl who was on her own early and who saw work and income as survival, I had to learn to give generously and cheerfully. I can’t imagine any other way now, but it didn’t come easy.
Then, my family. Goodness. He wanted my family? It took time, and I’m learning that when I surrender my family to Him, I’m placing them in the hands of someone who loves them greater than I do.
Okay, then my home, my car. My time. Oh, and he wants me too. All of me. I’m discovering what that looks like, Carmen. I don’t have all the answers down pat, but I’m treasuring this hard and wonderful journey.
I love the way you put it, how we should “live with an ear toward God’s voice.” What a beautiful way to describe walking with and listening to Him. I can’t believe we’re on the last chapter of the study either! <3 It's one I will be returning to frequently.
Giving over our family is especially hard. Sometimes I cry to God for whatever it will take to bring my kids and grandkids to Jesus. But I tremble when I ask that, because I don’t ever want them to hurt. On your video, you said that God taught you that the very struggle your grandchild has now can be his greatest strength in the future. This gives me so much hope. Thank you, Susie. Blessings and hugs to you!
I’m just at the place of launching my older kids and wow has God had to teach me to trust Him and release fully. F u l l y released, while remaining available. Thank you for your shared wisdom!
I entered a new chapter in life just a few days before the Come With Me study began. I love that God has allowed Suzie to walk with me and encouraged me through the study. Each chapter has been deeply moving, inspiring me to take action that continues to change me from the inside out.
The pages of my book are warped from tears that fell as I gave God all of me and allowed Him to remove any barriers. Tears from the pain of stretching and growing and truly surrendering to His Will and where He leads. Truly letting everything and everyone go — that’s tough to do, yet crucial. Important pages are “dog eared” and I’ve underlined and highlighted concepts and phrases that resonate in me. I love that we received such an intimate look at each disciple and that Suzie shared with us so openly and personally how she felt and what she experienced during the different stages of her journey following Christ.
I so desperately need the continued leading of the Holy Spirit in this new phase of life and to hear the next steps. I’m thankful for Suzie’s willingness to be so transparent and vulnerable. The content of this book is priceless. I look forward to seeing what God does as all of us put the principles into action and live our lives as the 13th disciple.
Oh Lavon, this is beautiful. I pray that God leads you — He promises to do that. It may be one step. It may be a waiting time. What we do know is that if He’s the one leading, we are exactly where we need to be.