F. R. O. G.
“Fully Rely On God”
FROG-Fully Rely On God all started when God said, “It is time, Connie Sue, to trust Me.”
So I moved to Frog Pond Drive, in Welcome, NC, where I have lived in a 150-year house since Dec. 2003. Before that I owned a double wide that had been my home for about 20 years, but not the land on which it was located; I had lived there for about 20 years, and was very content. I like a simple home life, so I was busy and always had a haven to come back to when the outside world got tough.
You see, my husband took his life 7 years ago. After his death, I hated the weekends because they were long and lonely for me, so I took up paddling. I quickly grew to love paddling, and was kayaking and camping about every weekend. I was just getting to the point where I was healing mentally and enjoying life again. In late October 2003, I met Christian paddlers in P4C and began enjoying great Christian fellowship.
About Nov. 6th my land-landlord, Mike, came over to my house out of the blue and asked me to move ASAP; his son got a girl pregnant and they needed the land for a home. Mike owns quite a bit of land and a number of apartments, but God’s hand was already working in my life. I had known that the time would come for me to move so I had been planning and praying (a little) about moving someday, but I was not ready yet.
Of course, I am a woman and, the first thing a woman does is cry! After the tears, panic set in, “Oh, Lord,” I cried,” what are you doing to me now! What have I done wrong? Why do I have to move God? My home is the only stable thing in my life!”
After a few days’ as panic set in more and more, I came to the point where I had to say, “Okay, Lord, I trust you! Please help me to follow your plan.”
God now opened some wonderful doors. I was concerned about moving my double wide and offered it for sale to Mike. At first he turned me down, but later bought it from me “as is”. So I started praying more diligently knowing that God’s plan is always the best plan. With nothing holding me back, and the chance fresh new start ahead, where did God want me?.
The Book of James, Chapter 1 helped me in my walk:
2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.
6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven
with the wind and tossed.
As it turns out, a couple at my church had an old house for rent). This house was bigger than my double wide and the 10' x12' shed I had next to my old house. Now I have plenty of room for ALL my junk. Its 2 carports can hold 4 vehicles. Now, I not only have more space and privacy than I have ever known, but also a pond in the front yard with Large Mouth Bass in it. As a nature lover, the wide assortment of birds, (hawks, barred owls, cardinals, bluebirds, doves, finches, geese, ducks and even a Blue Heron) and animals (rabbits, deer, goats, ‘possum and red tail fox) who regularly visit my little piece of heaven remind me that God is SOOOO good if we just trust Him.
God humbles me. I had to ask for help (which is not like me) from my church to move the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I hoped that 1 or 2 people could lend me a hand. God blessed me with 9 trucks, 3 with trailers, and several cars; a total of about 19 folks. It took us only 4 hours to move my household from the double wide, into the old farm house, and to set it up. I was totally in AWE of what God had done; I still tear up thinking about God’s love for me. God truly does care about me, and HE showed it through this move. There was such a peace in my heart and the smooth transition of the move, that I knew God really did have His hands on my life.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know what I have planned for you,' says the Lord. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. 29:12 When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. 29:13 When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, 29:14 I will make myself available to you,' says the Lord’.
Within a month after moving, I had shoulder surgery. My new home was a wonderful place to heal. God knew the desires of my heart and gave them to me.
After the surgery, I opened my home to a guest. While she was staying with me, I fell down the stairs and cracked my tail bone after going upstairs to wake her up. Carolann’s boyfriend, a friend from church, had cut off a couple fingers in a work accident and was in the hospital. He had been praying for this young lady to get saved. Praise the Lord,! God allowed me to lead her to the Him two days after the fall. I believe that the devil was fighting with me not to witness to Carolann. Again ,God’s hand was on my life. What a blessing it was to share the joyful good news with my church and P4C that Carolann had accepted the Lord. Because of their love for me, I could share God’s love with Carolann.
Returning to work from medical leave, I learned that my job was “displaced” during Wachovia’s recent merger with First Union. Well, this news didn’t hit quite as hard, because I had a peace in my heart that this was God’s leading. So I waited, and enjoyed my winter wonderland in the old farm house. Yes, I was really enjoying my down time. Getting my home in order and watching the birds feed outside the front window in the snow gave me the time God knew I needed to heal, to pray, and to seek Him.
Where is God leading me? I am still not sure, but I know He watches over me. I had always heard about “God’s leading”, but until now I never really knew it. Now, I can see how God works through believers, and how important my reactions are when I am being tested. The Bible talks about trusting Christ to lead you. It is easy to say, but to really let go of this world and trust the unknown, is a scary matter. To be in control of your own life is much easier, than to follow the unseen The time had come for me to choose; follow self or follow Christ?
As my severance from Wachovia ran out, God placed me in a job at UNC-G Student Heath Service. To be witness? To Whom? When? Knowing that God has a plan for a me helps me enjoy getting up each day. I am saved by His Grace for His purpose. I have to die to self daily and be filled with the Holy Spirit. God’s way is the only true way.
John 3:15- That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.
-Connie Harman
Update 09/16/2004
Today I found out UNCG has extended my contract for 2 months and is in the process of creating a job for me! I will have to interview for this position, and in two months I will be hired as a full time NC state employee until May 2007 at which time I know God will open whatever door is needed!
Praising God for his Love for me.
Fully Rely ON God!