Is God giving me these desires of my heart?

[Sheep]

Since I have become a believer 20 yrs ago (this month) I have had a desire to take care of orphans. I went on a couple summer mission trips at an orphanage in Nepal before I got married and have not ministered in that capacity since (over 17 yrs. ago). The problem is, the desire has never gone away! I have even asked God to take it away if that is not what He wants me to do. Maybe it just isn't His timing yet. Can you say IMPATIENT?! Rec'd a newsletter from my kids' former principal from a private school they attended 3 yrs. ago and they started a preschool called Little Lambs overseas. That is the name of the preschool class I taught in our church last year during a women's outreach ministry! I have resigned from that volunteer position as I'm in the process of trying to become licensed to open up my own daycare business. Anyway, how I long to go overseas to head up the class of 25 children! The newsletter mentioned that the other lady had to return home to Canada in June. Currently there is a brother/sister team leading the preschool for a few months. Has anyone else experienced Godly desires of their heart that havn't been manifested in their Christian life yet?

The Shepherd leads us ~

Sheep

[Emerging]

Has anyone else experienced Godly desires of their heart that havn't been manifested in their Christian life yet? The Shepherd leads us ~ Sheep


Hi Sheep, and I wish I had the time for a proper answer, but in brief, I think "yes"! Mostly I think of all the singles who've faithfully waited their whole lives for worthy mates ... and are still waiting ....

But caring for orphans ... that has many possibilities too! Becoming a foster mom is one, or going somewhere when your own are grown is another.

Like you said, God knows who things work out as they do ... but definitely there are many Godly desires still waiting to be fulfilled.

[Jerry]

Dear Sheep,,,
It has been my experience that I can drive myself crazy with these kind of questions....You know,,,the "is it me or is it God"question...Your "hearts desire" that you intimate in your post is wonderful......Could it be both????Could god hear your "hearts desire" and choose to honer it??????Your idea and He says,,,"Cool,,,I'll buy that"......You stated that you want to start your own Day-Care business...Suppose there is a child right in your neighborhood,,being abused,,praying in a dark closet they are locked in for someone to help,,,and God is saying,,,"Sorry Sheep,,,,,but your "hearts desire"will just have to go on the back burner for a while because I need you for something else".What ever the correct sinario is Sheep,,,,It is my guess that your qualified....I believe that God has interviened in my life twice,,,,and neither time,,,did He check with me first."Bloom" where your planted....... ;)
Love Jerry

[Voyager]

I agree with Jerry. For example, what about the people who got smacked by four hurricanes in Florida and had their homes wiped out - did God give them the desires of their heart? I think that life is basically a "roll of the dice" so to speak. Sometimes it works out good, and sometimes it doesn't. I don't think God has much to do with it. If He did, then we would have to blame Him for the bad and the good.

The problems that we set ourselves up for when we think something is "of God" is that if it turns out bad, we say "God, why did You do this to me? I thought I was doing Your will!!???!!" I always cringe when I see people on the news thanking God for sparing their lives from a horrible tragedy, when their neighbors got killed or maimed. Why didn't God spare them too - were they not as good as the people who were spared? No, I just think that we attribute to God a whole lot more than He has anything to do with.

Also, I have found that my life is plagued with a lot less fear now that I quit worrying about what was "of God" or what was "of the devil". Most of the people that I knew who lived that way (including myself) walked around scared of their own shadow and hoping that demons wouldn't jump out of the woodwork and possess their souls.

That's my two-cents worth. Take what you need and leave the rest.

:cool:

[Sheep]

Hey, guys...

I guess whatever I'm doing in my life whether it's teaching a preschool class, waiting for the bus with my son, running a daycare business, etc. the important thing to remember is that I need to be obedient to the principles in God's Word. So I can be asking myself with what I'm doing "Does this go against His Teachings?" Or "Lord are my thoughts/actions honoring You?" Also, I know the Holy Spirit teaches us Truth so that's a comfort to me and an awesome thought that "God is in me" by the Holy Spirit. I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind (which comes from the Word). It is indescrible, but a wonderful process!

Learning of His grace,

Sheep

[Oopsie Daisey]

Hey, guys...

I guess whatever I'm doing in my life whether it's teaching a preschool class, waiting for the bus with my son, running a daycare business, etc. the important thing to remember is that I need to be obedient to the principles in God's Word. So I can be asking myself with what I'm doing "Does this go against His Teachings?" Or "Lord are my thoughts/actions honoring You?" Also, I know the Holy Spirit teaches us Truth so that's a comfort to me and an awesome thought that "God is in me" by the Holy Spirit. I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind (which comes from the Word). It is indescrible, but a wonderful process!

Learning of His grace,

Sheep

I love your conclusion to your own question. I read your posts and watch and it isn't that I am not interested, it is just there is nothing I can add to the post and today, I just felt like I should say "Way to go sheep." Blessings.