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Florida, no love lost

So, I am a Minnesotan girl through and through. I love to bundle up and trudge through snow, the smell of fresh cut grass after a spring shower. Long lazy afternoons on the lake and ALL 4 SEASONS! I mean I got married in the middle of winter when it was 10 degrees out in a sleevless dress and made sure to take pictures outside. (my hubby on the other hand froze like a popsicle)

​But Florida, hmmm no thank you. Just not my thing. I struggle daily to find the beauty in a walk through "the scrub" and I am not really an ocean girl. (There are things in there that can eat you. Just sayin'.) Rivers are filled with gaters and lord knows what else (did you see that gigantic one all over the news. Nope Nope Nope)

Yet here I find myself. 8 years running and for the time being where God (and the law) have me.
       How often do we find ourselves in situations or places that we just don't want to be, or feel like we are trapped and there is no way out? We fight it every step of the way and sometimes ,even I , find myself refusing to accept it.    

 Now there are times when we need to push a little harder to change your situations or make a move to get away from "fill in the blank"
    But have you ever stopped to ponder why you are where you are? Life choices good or bad, you grew up there, your jobs there... What ever it is; you are there for a reason. In Proverbs 19:21 is says "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" 
      So as hard as we try, when God's purpose for your life (which we all have) conflicts with the thing WE want to do in life; His plan will prevail.
     The most famous story, to me, of God's purpose is Ester.
    Here is a girl who lost her parent, adopted by her uncle and Jewish (in a time that Jews were being persicuited) I am sure she just wanted to live a simple normal, quiet life.  But God had a bigger plan, one that was much bigger then herself. 
     I have found it best stated here;
"In the midst of her turmoil, Esther realized she could not allow fear to paralyze her into inaction; that in itself would be a decision. Instead, she left the outcome with God. It was clear she had only one real choice."(https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/esther-a-woman-of-faith-and-courage)
     Ester had a choice, she could suffer in her circustances or rise up and be couragouse. Use her position (where you live, work, learn) and speak out. It may not be your ideal place, but it is the one that you have been placed in. It is where God wants to use you to magnify His greatness.
     So when you are going through your day and you are discouraged with your current circumstances. Remember that God loves you and want to best for you He makes no mistakes and "who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Ester 4:14)

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