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The Stamped Lily

A blog by April Dillow

Maybe that’s why God doesn’t tell us his plans

August 17, 2020 by april dillow 4 Comments

Is anyone looking around at their life right now saying “I’m exactly where I planned to be.”

I know I’m certainly not. If you would have told me ten years ago that I would be a stay at home, homeschooling mom I’m sure I would have laughed. Maybe that’s why God doesn’t tell us His plans!

We started homeschooling this month and the break from social media was the best thing I did for us during these last three weeks. I needed to dive in with my kids to establish some normalcy, a new routine, and to get settled in our homeschool journey. I have a tendency to allow myself to be sucked into the comparison trap on social media. So, knowing this, I stepped away so I’d be able to give my kids my full undivided attention when establishing our plans – without wondering if we were doing what “everyone else was doing.”

It worked.

We are loving our slow days dripping with good literature, activities, and bible lessons. I’m enjoying the extra time we’re spending together and the topics we’ve been covering. In some respects, it’s more beautiful than I thought it would be and, in others, it’s more challenging.

Some have asked how I’m doing it. How am I running a business while homeschooling?

I didn’t have to make a choice. God made it for me.

Business is slow.

The incredible thing about writing that sentence is this: It’s okay.

The entire time I’ve operated this business I’ve prayed for God to lead it. I’ve prayed to follow His lead. I’ve prayed that no matter what the future held for The Stamped Lily that I would be okay with it.

He has and continues to answer that prayer.

My mind and heart are at peace.

Do I want to keep making jewelry? YES! Is my business ending? No, not that I know of anyway. Am I slowing down? Yes, I am.

I don’t have all the answers and that in itself is difficult. It’s easier to be okay with the present when I know what’s headed my way, what God has planned, obviously.

I don’t know what this looks like or where I’m headed, but I can trust the process because I am sitting in the hands of my Creator. I don’t know what step in the process God has me in right now because I can’t see the whole thing. While I may not know what is ahead, I do know that He is working. He is working and I can trust that whatever He is doing it will be beautiful and for His glory.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV, Romans 8:28).

Are you in a situation like this right now? Do you have a favorite verse that reminds you that God is in control and that you can trust Him?

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Filed Under: personal

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Comments

  1. Regina Jackson says

    August 17, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    Needed to hear this today! Thank you. 💓

    Reply
    • april dillow says

      August 17, 2020 at 6:45 pm

      You’re welcome 💗

      Reply
  2. Linda Evans says

    August 17, 2020 at 7:15 pm

    Thank you for this word of encouragement. It certainly touched my heart today. I want to thank you for the wonderful job you did for my family by making those beautiful bracelets and keychains out of my husband’s belts. They are such a sweet reminder of how hard he worked for our family and how much he loved us. I pray blessings on you and your family as you go through this new Adventure.
    Linda Evan’s (Regina Jackson’s mom)

    Reply
    • april dillow says

      August 17, 2020 at 8:07 pm

      Linda thank you so much for your sweet words 💗 I’m so glad I could help you with such sweet memories for your family!

      Reply

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HI, I’M APRIL!

HI, I’M APRIL!

I’m an encourager and I enjoy chatting with you about what God is teaching me. Every day I’m learning and every day I’m reminding myself who I am in Christ. I’m a simple girl who speaks about hope in the midst of my own struggles. Whether I’m sharing my story of God’s faithfulness through the loss of my brother to suicide, or talking about my daily sin struggles and remembering to give myself grace, God is walking me through every part of it.

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