Lent Devotional: Monday, March 18

Published March 18, 2019 by SMBC

My mom's parents lived in a small town called Lazbuddie, about an hour and a half northwest of Lubbock where I attended Texas Tech University. God led me to Texas Tech so that I would have 4 years with my Granna and Papa. The weekend I graduated from college in December of 2012 was the last weekend I spent with my maternal grandmother. She passed away a few weeks later. Her passing, just days before my birthday, started a period of desert-like wilderness for me.

In the intervening years, my job search did nothing to help my faith in this wilderness. I lost faith, but not completely. Going on interview after interview, year after year with no results was mentally and physically exhausting. My saving grace was my Granna, who took her place in heaven as my guardian angel, my sweet dog Bitsi, and my pillar of light, South Main.

God works in mysterious ways and He does answer prayers.
My faith is led by my involvement in the music ministry. The year in between ministers was difficult for me. I prayed that someone would be led to our church and take up the mantle of leadership of our music ministry. In this interim time, God presented me with an answer to a fervent prayer and the realization of a precious gift I will be forever grateful for. Now our music ministry serves as a weekly reminder that there is a plan and God does answer prayers. South Main is very much my beacon, my pillars of cloud and fire that keep me on God's path.

My Granna had an affinity for angels. She always wore one. I wear an angel necklace now in her honor and it is a reminder of God's plan and the precious gift He gave me. She is my guardian angel in my heart that keeps my faith pointed towards home and my pillars of strength.

While my wilderness has changed recently, my pillars and guardian angels have not. They keep me going and remind me to trust in God and that there is a greater plan at work. Whatever your wilderness may be, keep faith and find your pillars. I wouldn't be where I am today without mine.

Dear Lord,
Thank for your grace, mercy, strength, and help in finding our way in the wilderness of life and for the unexpected guardian angels and pillars that keep us going.
Amen