It was the week from Hell

Last week marked the launch of this incredible God dream of Well Crafted Retreats and in so many ways it felt like a pivotal moment, a line in the sand and a new chapter of this ministry life. Isn’t that what happens when you take hold of something God has given you? It is LIBERATING! And for a short moment you feel invincible because you are convinced it is what you were made for.  And in those moments here is the clearest thing I heard from the Lord:

“WHEN GOD IS ON THE MOVE, SO IS THE ENEMY”

On Sunday afternoon just 12 hours shy of our Well Crafted launch we got a devastating call that my mother in law was in the ICU with a ruptured colon, an often fatal encounter. Monday morning we load up and head to Charleston, SC to be with family and walk out this journey. Tuesday morning after dropping Robert off at the hospital to be with his mother our car breaks down. We would later find out that this car issue is the same one we just paid $3000 to fix in June. Fast-forward to Wednesday, our car is still not fixed so I miss a flight to see my family with my girls because I can’t get back Asheville to fly out, a major bummer! Thursday morning a friend offers her car, however within 10 miles of driving it  the check engine light starts flashing along with several other dash lights and it won’t accelerate properly. So I quickly park her car and apologize for breaking it. By this point I’m losing my mind because my mother in law is still very sick and not really improving, and over the past four day I have been juggling four kids without a husband in three different homes none of which are mine! FINALLY, Friday morning I hitch a ride with all my kids but no husband back to Asheville for some normalcy for myself and my children. Praise God by now my mother-in-law is finally showing some signs of improvement. So on Saturday I optimistically curl my hair for a NEW DAY and head out with my four to a meeting and for some groceries. And wouldn’t you know, (Satan) that within a few miles our OTHER family vehicle breaks down and, and boom, it needs a new transmission. Now, if you’re tracking with me in a course of one week that is THREE broken down vehicles, two of which are mine with a combined $5k price tag on their fix. And then just for good measure we capped off Saturday afternoon with two of my four children having a fever.

Now, breathe deep and tune in to this: The enemy really does wish to destroy any and every portion of  kingdom work you will ever put your hands to. And if he can’t destroy it he will do everything in his power to DISTRACT you from it. So be ready. John 10:10 says,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”    

One of our prayer leaders likened all the happenings of our week to a “temper tantrum” from the enemy and I love that because a temper tantrum doesn’t do anything to change a given circumstance, it only expresses the whiny emotions of someone who can’t have what they want. And that is the truth with a capital T. Satan cannot have what he wants because God has already won. He is creator and King, the beginning and the end. Here area few words about Him: 

"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
                                                                         -Psalm 95:3-5

...and now a word about Satan, his fall from Heaven specifically:

“Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’”

                                                                          -Ezekiel 28:17-19

It’s good every once in a while to remind Satan where he will stay forever and that no matter how hard he tries he cannot destroy the plans of God.

So, onward sisters! As you go about your week whatever is in your hands, press in and keep going. Your work is valuable! And when you find yourself in that incredible place of pioneering the dream God has given you, remember, the enemy can try to keep you from it but he will not succeed.

Join us back here next week where we’ll share four tools to help you fight through the storm.
Xoxo

April and the Well Crafted Team