Throughout our almost five years of marriage (our anniversary is TOMORROW!), one area we have had to learn to trust God the most has been decisions. Deciding where He is leading us, how to steward our time, our finances, and just about everything we do in life. Time and time again, we have seen Him do things supernaturally to reveal whether we are going in the right direction and walking in obedience.

This has been amazing and terrifying. I am a professional photographer, but work from home so I can stay with my babies, something I’ve always wanted. Two years ago, I had the busiest year of my career, including a fantastic contract to work for an incredible wedding venue as their photographer. We knew when I was offered the job that God was blessing us with the opportunity and I was so thankful to work for great people and be able to have some sort of income. As the time came near to sign a new contract, I felt the Lord pressing heavily on my heart. After much prayer, I knew that He was asking me not to renew the contract for the wedding venue, from which my income had increased exponentially.

The days following my stomach was in knots, and the Holy Spirit lingered. I was in this place of knowing that God was asking me to do this, and I knew that it was so I could spend more time in ministry, even though we would take a hard hit financially. I was also nervous because I really loved the people I worked for, they were kind and so welcoming and we had become really great friends. I knew this would put them in a hard spot too, finding someone new to fill the spot. I began to pray that God would show me that this was really what He was asking me to do, if this was what He was calling me to.

I set a date in my mind that I would make a decision, about a month after feeling God leading me to pray about this move. The days passed and the feeling didn’t change, but still had not received the sign I had prayed for. Then, ONE day before I was going to make the call, I found out I was pregnant with my second baby, due right in the middle of wedding season.

I wouldn’t be able to book weddings at least 3 weeks prior to my due date or at least 4 weeks after, so obviously that was not ideal for a wedding contract. I was ecstatic that God had really shown up and answered my prayer in a better way than I could have ever dreamed! The following day, as I was about to call to let them know my decision, I was nervous and reached for my Bible. I opened it, without having any direction of where I was going to read, and my eyes landed on Isaiah 61:1

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

My eyes filled with tears as I read the words I knew so well. This was the exact Scripture that God used to call me into ministry. God was sweetly reminding me that all that mattered was that I chose to be obedient to the work He called me too, and He would take care of the rest. Finances, friendships, and every other worry I had. And He was faithful to do just that.

Furthermore, I was put on bed rest for the last 3 months of my pregnancy. I couldn’t even play with my two year old without having contractions, there was no way I would have been able to shoot a wedding. Once again, I was reminded of God’s sovereignty and His goodness. The last 2 months I was on bed rest I wrote my first Bible study, and was able to see God move in unbelievable power through the incredible group of women that participated. It was gift I still feel like I don’t deserve to be a part of, but I know that is usually how God works and I am so thankful. God used that season to prepare my heart and talents for the next thing He would ask me to do: #IKnowHim. And here we are! I am so thankful for the Lord’s patience, and the way He works everything together for the good of those that love Him. I know God is real and He is good because He constantly is provided just what I need, at the very moments I need it most.

I encourage you to be bold in asking God what He would have you do! His desire is to do big things through us for His glory. Wherever you find yourself today, know that God’s timing is perfect, and He only wants the absolute best for His children.

What are some areas that God is asking you to be brave in? I’d love for you to share in the comment section! Thank you so much for letting me share my #IKnowHim story with you, I am praying that God uses it to encourage you! Don’t forget that we want to here yours as well! Click here to submit your #IKnowHim story.

All the best,

Rachel