Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Make Straight My Paths


Psalm 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

In January of this year, a postcard arrives in the mail.  It is an advertisement for Main Street Pharmacy, a new business in Kennesaw slated to open in the spring.  I see it as a great opportunity for a book signing if I can hook up somehow to their grand opening.

I e-mail the contact person on the card to inquire about this possibility.  He responds in the affirmative, assuring me he will be in touch as the opening nears.

Spring arrives.  Flowers are in bloom, but Main Street Pharmacy has yet to show any signs of life.  Summer comes.  Still, no opening.  And, no word from the gentleman I contacted.

Then, in early September, I see from a post of a friend on Facebook raving about how amazing a store Main Street Pharmacy is.  They're open???  I search for their page on Facebook.  Sure enough.  They opened on the last day of August with the grand opening planned for September 4th.

I've missed it . . . I am so disappointed!  I was really hoping I could be included in that event.

But, when another Facebook friend tells me she has spoken to the supervisor at Main Street and found out they are very much willing to host book signings, I march myself right down to the store.  Grand opening or not, just an opportunity to sign and sell books in my hometown is good enough for me!

The supervisor greets me warmly.  She pulls out the store's calendar.

"Choose any date you like," she says with a smile.

Since I already have three signings in September, I flip to October.

"Would Saturday, October 12th, be all right?  Say from 1:00 to 3:00?"

"Sounds perfect!  Just make sure you bring us some posters about two weeks in advance so we can advertise the event."

"I'll do it!"

It is two days before the book signing.  I visit a free on-line advertising service we have in town called Kennesaw Patch.  My plan is to write a blurb announcing my gig at Main Street Pharmacy.

That's when I see their ad.  I click on it.  What???  Their Grand Opening is this Saturday?  The day I'm there?  Oh, wow!  I can't believe it!  I didn't miss it after all!

~

I've written many times on the theme of God's perfect timing.  In learning to trust Him instead of leaning on my own understanding, I see Him setting my paths straight again and again.  When it seems things just aren't going according you your plans, are you stopping to ask God what His plans are?  Are you waiting?  Watching?  Praying?  Trusting that He will make straight your paths?

Will you pray with me?
Father, let us trust in You with our whole hearts.  May we lean not upon our own understanding, but submit to Your will and Your ways in all circumstances.  We know only You can make straight our crooked paths.  Amen.

Here are some photos my husband, Danny, took of the Grand Opening.  Enjoy!


Outdoor fun!


This is truly an beautifully designed store.









This young lady had the voice of an angel.  Believe it or not, she is only 14-years-old!




Here are some photos of me interacting with some amazing folks at the signing.









Kudos to Main Street Pharmacy for your hospitality!  Grey and I loved every minute of it!


16 comments:

  1. It looks like a beautiful place, Martha! And you look radiant! Congratulations on your book signing gig! :-)

    I've written and reflected on trusting God's plans more than my own several times, too. But it seems I still have a lot to learn about it. Maybe God presents us with the same test over and over again until we finally master it.

    Wonderful reflections, my friend! Much love to you and God bless! ♡ :-)

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the post, Irene!
      You are so right about those test which God repeatedly presents. I'm right there with you when it comes to learning to trust Him completely. It is a journey; I'm just so thankful for His infinite patience with me.
      Thanks so much for visiting today!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. It doesn't hurt that few folks truly open on their grand-opening. Hope your book event was the success for which you hoped.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Roy! Yes, it was truly an amazing and fun event.
      Blessings to you!

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  3. Martha,

    What an amazing post! God's timing is so much better than ours. We humans tend to want to rush things along...any more we seem to be in such a hurry that we miss the beauty, the God things/moments all around us.

    Planning to share this!

    Blessings to you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Kim, for coming by!
      Oh, yes, His timing is everything! We are, definitely, in too much of a hurry in all that we do. I pray that we would all slow down, regroup, and let God guide.
      Thanks, too, for sharing!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. How amazing that everything worked out accordingly. You were meant to be there at the grand opening and God made certain it happened. Most of the time our "timing" and God's "timing" are not the same.

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    1. Thanks so much for visiting, Kathy!
      Yes! God's timing is ever perfect, a lesson He gives me again and again. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  5. I am truly happy for you Martha ~ every circumstance in your life that you share with us that is full of trust to God's Divine Providence is a blessing. And I am grateful that you share all of these blessings with us. You are a gift! And I believe in the power of prayers ~ God hears them and answers us in a way totally different from the way we expect them to be. Because only God could ever ever give us the gift in such a marvelous and fantastic way ~ always in abundance ~ full and rich!

    I pray for you, Danny and all those wonderful people who have helped you with your book signing ~ those who have opened their way to welcome you and Grey... Lord God, we praise and thank You for all the blessings You have richly endowed my friend Martha. Bless, guide and support her for all these gifts we offer back to You for Your greater glory. May Your Holy Name reach all those who are in need of love and mercy. And may we always be open to the grace that You generously give each one of us ~ yes, always at Your perfect time.

    Love this reflection dear friend ~ thank you!

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    1. Thanks so much for coming by, Melissa!
      Your pray so moved my heart, dear one. Know how much I treasure and cherish your friendship and our kindred spirits in the Lord. What a gift we have both been given!
      Love and blessings always!

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  6. Looks like fun Martha! God's timing is spot on. When we release our expectations and trust Him with the results that's when miracle occur.
    Yay!

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by, Leah!
      Yes, it was so much fun! And, His timing is ever and always perfect. :)
      Love and blessings!

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  7. Fun! Always so encouraging to see God at work in our lives and schedules. He is so good! Thanks Martha.

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  8. Amazing story, Martha!
    There is no time but God's time. Only he knows what's best and he obviously he had your path set up long before.

    Happy to hear everything worked out in HIS timing.
    --
    Chris

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  9. It can only be by God's timing that things work out for the best for those who love Him - when we try to advance our own agenda and call it His will for us, I believe we deceive ourselves (never mind others).

    Great post, Martha! I've seen your responses on Dusty's and Jason's blogs before, but hadn't clicked in until today - glad I did!

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    1. So glad you decided to visit today, Rick! Great to see you here!
      We do deceive ourselves when we push ahead with what we think is best for us and fail to trust God in all things. He has taught me that lesson time and time again; guess I'm a slow learner, but He loves me anyway! :)
      Blessings to you!

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