As I've been spending time with God, He's revealed the many many prayers He's answered for me. Most of the time, prayers are answered after a period of hardness. Or, maybe they come through a change of life, or a journey. What would we learn if God just gave us what we asked for on command? How would we grow, and most importantly, how would we grow in Him?

This past year has honestly been one of the hardest challenges of my life. But, the difference between this time and other hard times, is I trusted God through this one first. I didn't wait until I could do no more, then turn to Him. I am so grateful to God for holding my hand, and carrying me through this journey. I have stumbled and doubted Him at times, but He would always reveal that He never gave up on me and He never will.

During this season, God has blessed me with two deeply appropriate Bible Studies. It amazes me how perfect His timing is. He taught me what I needed to learn when I needed to learn it. This is what I believe Scripture means when it says, "We'll go from strength to strength."

A quote I've held on to from one of my studies was this, "Salvation delivers you out of Egypt, but the wilderness is designed to work Egypt out of you and replace the prominence of its influence in your life with God's." Wow, so true. What a humbling perspective.

God has answered so many of my prayers through this move. My studies have shown me His ways in answering them. In the beginning, I would never have chosen this to be God's way, but as Scripture explains, "my thoughts are not His thoughts, and my ways are not His ways."

I consider my Mississippi time as training for why God brought me to Georgia. God immediately answered my prayer of finding a wonderful church where we can serve Him. West Ridge Church has been nothing less than a blessing. To say they have welcomed us with open arms, is an understatement. The girls from my Bible study are some of the most amazing women I've ever met. The love shown to us here is so accepting and gracious. These friends have been perfect examples of being lights for God.

"The wilderness is designed to work Egypt out of you." I have prayed for years for a deeper relationship with a loved one that hasn't had interest in sharing this with me. Until I moved, I didn't consider that this deep relationship I've longed for, may not be what God has planned....not now anyway. I didn't realize how much time and effort I put into trying to have this. I would neglect my friends, my husband and daughter to try to pursue a chance at even having meaningful chats with this person, only to be left with disappointment and hurt feelings. I'm not saying it's not worth it, I'm just saying, it's not in God's plan, or it might just not be His time. Through my wilderness, God has shown me who He has given me, and my focus should be on building relationships with them.

Another prayer I prayed was for God to show me who I was, and who I am in Him. The first part was ugly. I am a sinner, I have my issues, I have my faults, and I have my insecurities. I've prayed for God to come in, and consume me from the inside out. This made the ugly come to the surface and it forced me to deal with it. This was not fun. It's amazing how much you can hide inside yourself and forget about it. I've been doing some internal spring cleaning, and I've been getting rid of the clutter I've hoarded for a long time. It's necessary to detox myself and get rid of all the garbage, so God can fill me with His fuel.

While camping out in Scripture, I've noticed that God really uses those who have been through a wilderness. Moses, Abraham, Paul, Esther, Daniel, Noah, etc.....What lies ahead? What's our true purpose here? I have no doubt that God will reveal this to us in His perfect timing. Until then, I will keep pursuing God and growing as a Christian. "Who knows? Maybe we've come to this position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14b)