4.13.2011

Not Selected...

This morning I spent some time dwelling on one of my favorite passages. I have clung to this so tightly so many times. And here we are, again. Clinging to God's faithfulness. Clinging to His love. Believing in His plan.

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."
Lamentations 3:21-26

I just heard back from nursing school. "Thank you for your interest, but we regret to inform you that you were not selected for admission."
 
Not what I was expecting. I was upset, but not too upset. Texted my sister to have my parents call me. I picked up the phone:

"hello?"
"Hey honey"

Tears. I don't know why this always happens. I'll be fine until I hear my dad's voice. Then I just lose it. I think its because I know how much he cares. I know I can trust him. He is always fighting for my good. Always protects, always hopes, always loves. My father on earth is a lot like my Father in Heaven. I can trust them both with everything. But as smart as my daddy is, my God is all-knowing.

God knew this whole time. He knew before he laid the foundations of the world that this was going to happen.  He knew that I would end up applying to only one school, and throw away the other 3 applications I had started. He gave me peace that this was the right thing to do. He knows my future. I can trust Him. I was dissapointed for about 5 minutes.(I know, not very long) I wanted this so badly. But my first thought was, "Ok God. You've got this. I don't know what your plan is. But I trust you."  I know He is doing this for my good and for His glory. I just haven't seen the exciting parts yet.

I've clung to that passage in Lamentations so tightly, so many times over the last 6 years. I've spent more than one night crying myself to sleep and quoting that verse in my head. This morning I was overwhelmed by God's goodness to me. I couldn't believe how faithful He always is. He always follows through. His timing is so strange. So beautiful. This morning, while overwhelmed by blessings, I read this verse and thought about God's forever loving faithfulness. With that in mind its hard to see this rejection as a rejection, but more as millions of open doors.

I have no plans past July 3rd.
No plans whatsoever.

I've been here before. On December 11 of last year I found out I was moving to Haiti in 35 days. On December 11th I had plans for the next 8 days. 35 days later. I stepped off the plane in Port Au Prince. God is faithful.

Here I am again. I have no idea what I'll be doing on July 4th. (probably watching fireworks.... somewhere in the world) I know my God is faithful. He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion. (Phil 1:6)

I don't feel too rejected because the girl that I was 8 months ago when I applied is a totally different girl than I am now. She got rejected. Not me. She is dissapointed. Not me. She would look at me now and tell me I'm crazy. But I'm excited. One door closed. Millions have opened. Just 2 nights ago my mom said, "If you don't get into nursing school, which I'm sure you will, I have an idea for you." We'll see what God does. His ways are higher than mine.

I am so thankful that I serve a God who knows my heart fully. Who knows this was not the best for me. Who knows what IS the best for me. Who I can trust fully, with no exceptions. I am so thankful for the blessings He's given me this week, even the ones that seem to be dissapointing. I'll count it all joy.

Welcome back to the land of the Inbetween....

9 comments:

Jenna B. said...

Sweet, sweet, Noelle...once again, I am SO excited for you! God obviously has bigger plans than you could imagine for yourself! Please don't feel pressured by the world's time frame of dictating when things "should" be done. I wanted to be married at 21 but it didn't happen, and looking back, I'm SO thankful it didn't! God brings us exactly what we need and I'm encouraged that you're keeping this truth to heart. Sending lots of love and prayers to you!

Jenna B. said...

P.S. Have I mentioned how VERY excited I am for you?! :)

Anonymous said...

You.Are.My.Inspiration.

And I can't wait to be united with you in Haiti, and pray with you, and worship with you, and get bugs in my bra with you. I can't wait to sit at His feet with you. You are such a blessing to me.

Love you Noelle.

Unknown said...

Noelle, I know how hard it is to have your plans suddenly crumble, but it is wonderful to know that God's plans are infinitely better than our own, isn't it?!

Thank you so much for your example and your faith! I don't know if I could have faced that the same way you did. But I want to be able to. I'll be praying that God will show you your next step! And I can't wait to hear what it is.

My favorite verse is very similar to yours:
Psalms 27:13-14 "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

kayla_torres said...

WOW noelle. I love love love this blog!! I am so worried I won't know what to do with myself if I don't get into nursing school because I have no plan b whatsoever. I keep trying to reassure myself that God knows what's best and I shouldn't even worry because he has it all figured out. Thanks for the feeling of calm you've given me. You're so right about a million other doors opening!! Good luck girl I know you're destined for great things. Love and miss you :)

Katy {and Kahler} said...

oh, noelle. im so sorry to hear this. i know how disappointing it can be to think you have things planned out (even planned according to God's will) and then things seem to fall out from under you.

im right there with you now- no real plans after may 15, for me. i keep thinking the Lord will show us what He wants and yet we still have no direction. it's a scary place to be. but at the same time, it's a beautiful place to be- a place where you are forced to rely on the Lord's goodness, because that's all you've got.

kahler and i have been spending one day a week in deep prayer over what the Lord wants for us. today just happens to be that day. I'm praying for you today too.

love you, sister.

aimee said...

Noie, I love you. I am praying with you, weeping with you, and rejoicing with you that the Lord is sovereign. His thoughts are higher than ours, as are His ways. I look forward to seeing your plan B--or, God's plan A. ;) I know it will be spectacular.

Lia Joy said...

Noelle -

I am so encouraged by your optimism and your true faith in our Savior! You are doing amazing things by serving Him daily. I have no doubt that He has bigger and better plans in store for you!

Thank you for your blog, for you honesty and for your continued trust in the Lord! You're in my prayers always.

Lia Joy

Jenny Hagstrom said...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5)

Noelle, God has amazing plans for you, He loves you. And will always be there for you, trust in him:)
love you!

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