Stepping out in Faith

Posted by admin in Blog (Weekly), Blogs

Jul
21

As I stepped on the winding path overlooking the ocean and felt the ocean breeze and sun on my face, I gasped as my heart expanded into sheer gratitude. With tears in my eyes, I said, “OMG I live here, HOW and WHY did I get here?”

The “HOW” was God’s doing, much bigger than what I could have ever imagined. I had no idea HOW to make it happen. The “WHY” was my doing. For as long as I can remember, it was my dream and desire of my heart to live on the water, but never did I expect that I would be living in a house overlooking the ocean on Maui. I believe it is God who places the desires in our hearts.

At the ripe young age of 65, I stepped out in faith to follow my heart and moved 5,000 miles away to Maui, despite family thinking I was crazy. I had never done anything that radical.

Stepping out in faith is stepping into the unknown and the mystery. Very difficult for those of us who want control and answers before we make a move. We like to know what’s ahead so we can feel safe.

Was it easy to leave my family, friends, community, and work? Hell no! I struggled and prayed A LOT. There were so many questions I had. Could I afford it? What would my family think? What if I got sick, who would take care of me?

As I meditated, it became clear that I didn’t feel deserving to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I had to work through old beliefs and messages to get to the truth of who I was and God’s plan for my life.

Does being a woman of faith mean that I didn’t have fear? Hell no! I was riddled with fear. While writing my book, “Simply a Woman of Faith” in 2007, I cried myself to sleep because I was so afraid of writing a book. I felt inadequate and in over my head. At one point, I said to God, “I’m not doing it, you have chosen the wrong person.” I didn’t write for one year. I’m so grateful God was patient with me until I was ready to face my fear and ask for help.

With the grace of God, and my willingness to trust I was being guided, I took action and moved forward, instead of staying stuck and paralyzed in fear.

Don Basham, author of “How Guides Us”, states, “Guidance comes when we move in faith, not sit in doubt-even in the face of closed doors. Where God guides, He provides. God reveals each part of the plan as we walk in faith one step at a time.”

If I hadn’t had the courage to face my fears, my dream would have died inside of me and I wouldn’t be living this amazing life of LOVE. God’s plan was already in place, I just needed the courage to say YES. God always has bigger and better plans than we could ever imagine.

Here is what my faith walk looked like:

I didn’t have a place to live until two weeks before I arrived on Maui. It was my trust and faith that assured me I would be provided for. I rented a bedroom overlooking the ocean for $300 a month with another couple (whom I had just met) for 6 months. Everything I owned was in that one bedroom and I was in my glory.

After six months, I moved to the other side of the island to rent a new ohana. It was small, but it was mine and I loved it. I lived there for one year until the landlord renovated and I was asked to leave.

I was “homeless” for one month until the ohana I have been living in for the past eight years was available. During that time, friends opened their homes and hearts for me to stay with them. Another friend allowed me to store all of my “stuff” in a bedroom she wasn’t using.

I stepped out in faith and trusted God would provide financially. My rent went from $1200 a month to $2500. I rented one of the bedrooms to friends in our home and every month the money showed up. Now Larry and I share the rent and it works out perfectly.

How often do WE block our own good and God’s plan for us because we are afraid, don’t feel deserving, or don’t have any idea HOW to do it? Remember the HOW is not up to us, but up to God.

Spirit may be inviting you to start a new business or career, leave an unhealthy relationship or job, start a creative project or move to Maui!

God only wants our highest good and for us to be happy. What is the desire of your heart? God placed that desire in your heart. It’s up to you to say YES and to trust you will be provided for and guided. Take that first step and watch the miracles unfold.