New doors will open

This post is a set of letters from friends (extended family) that spoke the truth in volumes. I am posting them here because they speak of success, victory, and the favor of God.

But also, and more so, because each letter came at a time when I needed it most. They were answers to my prayer to understand and be at peace with missing out on an opportunity to be promoted at work.

The neat things is, the first letter below came moments after I prayed.  Literally, moments after I prayed my cell phone buzzed to life with this text message of encouragement and faith.

Hi Cassius, you may be there already, but I wanted to share this with you...the more I speak victory and favor into my life the more God favors me and gives me the victory.  I recently was speaking with someone and shared with them that, "I could have saved myself a lot of stress had I only trusted God and had the faith that I have now."   Instead of just praying for blessings I am blessed, knowing that if I stay focused on God and have faith and stay joyful in all circumstances it will work for my good.   Yesterday in church a Rev Scott apologized to God... for not trusting him enough and having enough faith throughout his life.  I thought wow Rev. Scott is with me in this. I know that God has a plan for my life. I accept His plan joyfully and excited!

After reading and re-reading this message of inspiration and hope I felt a lot better about work, my purpose, position, and the changes that were coming my way.  I felt like I no longer needed to defend myself, or try to make "my will" come to fruition.  I was starting to feel so much peace that God is in control, and that it was ultimately going to be great.  I may not have gotten the position at work, but God has something even better in mind.  

I felt better, but God isn't just a good God, he is an awesome God.  He wasn't done with sending encouragement and hope my way.  He didn't just send one letter, but two.  Right after the text message was read, and my heart amazed at God's goodness my hip felt the familiar tinge of email notification buzzing.  When I checked my phone I found yet another set of encouraging words.  How great is God!

Cassius, in spite of what happened with the position, knowing you, I am certain that you handled your interim duties with grace, class, skill, and dignity, and that your successor knows that he can count on you to help facilitate a smooth, seamless transition.
Even through disappointment, our God knows our name and our frame and remembers that we are dust. He sees the bigger picture.
And... these are just a part of our various light and momentary afflictions.

God, I have so long worried about how things will turn out.   I get worked up about positions, power, prestige and my way. God, I haven't trusted you enough, or had the type of faith  to believe that your will is the best for my life.   Help me, help me God accept with joy, hope and excitement the plans that you have for me.

When a door closes in my life, help me anticipate with glee, excitement, and child like joy the new and next opportunity that you have waiting for me.  You are awesome and I thank you for your words of life, encouragement, wisdom, faith, favor, blessing, and promise.

So, I just want to re-iterate how awesome God is, and why I love Him and the big extended family he has given me.  My extended family has given me so much encouragement during my times of wrestling and in those times of "needing to find understanding."  I am so thankful that God sent the reminder that these are just "light" and "momentary" afflictions.  And the reminder that He is in control and the best is His desire for us.  

"When we lose one blessing, another is often

most unexpectedly given in its place."

- C.S. Lewis