My Peace I Give Unto You

Have you ever felt like you had everything figured out and then it doesn't play out at all like you intended?  Probably all the time right?  Well, that's us right now.  

This is our second go around applying for medical schools.  Last year, we couldn't understand why, with such a great MCAT score, Mr Medic only received one interview and no acceptance.  It was a heart-wrenching experience, but we've come to understand not only were we "late" applicants, and it really does make a difference when you apply, but there was obviously something else in store for us in waiting an extra year.  We haven't had that ah-ha moment yet, but we know we are supposed to be hangin' out in our cozy undergrad college town a little longer.  And like our church leader reminded us through a prayer in our behalf, "better things than you can ever imagine are in store!" 

Round 2 has been significantly different.  We've just received interview invite #5 and couldn't be more happy, except one thing.  The means my which we had planned to afford all this travel hasn't happened.  For the last two summers Mr Medic has been sent out on wildfires, but for no reason we can figure, this year is not the case...yet. *fingers still crossed...and toes, and arms, and legs, and eyes, or every other crossable appendage or body part*  Last year we had the means and nowhere to be, this year we hardly have the means and everywhere to be.  

There is no rhyme or reason to why things are panning out this way, but I have to trust that the Lord knows exactly what is going on and will take care of us if we do our part.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) we believe in fasting on a regular basis.  Once a month we give up food or drink for 2 consecutive meals, or in other words 24 hours, and donate or offer the amount we would have spent on those meals to people in need.  It also provides opportunity to be closer to the Spirit of God and receive direction for questions you have, help in overcoming trials, and any number of other things.  

Mr Medic and I fasted together last Sunday about our financial situation and getting to interviews.  At the end of our fast we were driving to Mr Medics parents house for Sunday dinner and I decided to turn the radio on to the college's sunday program.  I couldn't hear at first, thanks to some hungry and rambunctious boys kicking our seats from the back.  I kept turning the radio louder and louder.  I was really wanting to hear what was being said, but I didn't know why.  As soon as I could hear, it was as if whoever was being broadcast from the radio was talking directly at Mr Medic and I.  Like they knew who we were, and what we had on our minds.  It turned out to be a devotional by a gentleman who was a Dr.  Every word he said went straight to my heart and gave me instant peace and comfort, so much so that tears began to flow down my cheeks.  At that moment I knew God had heard our prayers from our fast, and was telling us "I know you, I care about you, and everything will be ok"

Later this scripture came to mind:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  -Isaiah 55: 8-9

What we think will work out best, is not always what God knows will work out best for us.  His ways are not our ways.  He often has something "higher" for us to accomplish and has a path for us to take in order to reach that higher destination.  

We are still very unsure how we will make things work, which can be terrifying if I let myself forget who is in charge.  But I've been given the peace that all will be well, and that is enough for me!