July 6, 2022… it is beginning to feel real. I read it like everyone else from our congregation— a short and to the point email announcing Doug’s 3 month sabbatical that begins in LESS THAN A MONTH. “On August 1st Debbie and I will be heading to Cambridge, England. We will be staying at Tyndale House as I work on my PhD dissertation at the university.”
Really?
After reading the words in black and white, my heart skipped a beat. Maybe, now that it’s really public, it really will happen. I’ve not allowed myself to count on it, because “it” has felt precarious.
The idea of this sabbatical has been a lofty dream for more than a decade, back when we thought someday we’d be empty nesters. It was a dream that was born and prayed about, long before Ian’s car accident, and certainly before a pandemic.
Make a Way
Still, there has always been this massive chasm between the thought of this extended time away, and it actually being a reality. How could I possibly pull it off now with my heavy load as guardian? I boldly placed it before the Lord. My prayer has been, God, if you want this, You’ll need to make a way because there is no way.
If you are in the midst of uncertainty and cannot see a way… Isaiah 43:16-21.
The details are coming together, just as He promised. If you read my thoughts over the past months though, you would see my exasperation and multiple threats to throw in the towel. Solid possibility after solid possibility would fall through and my resolve would waver. Many times it has seemed just too hard, too risky and even too foolish. Still, the ember of possibility has continued to glow.
A Fire Now Blazes
And then, as if the Holy Spirit Himself breathed on the ember, a fire now blazes. The final critical piece has fallen into place, a roommate for Ian who will relocate to Albuquerque and live in our home. Clearly God’s doing because it’s simply too good to be true. A dear dear friend who loves Jesus and Ian is enthusiastic about this opportunity that, she claims, will be good for her too. In fact, it has felt almost “coincidentally perfect” as if the idea of this temporary arrangement came to both of us simultaneously.
God’s Sovereignty
As I’ve thought about how this has come to be, too complex to explain, I can’t help but marvel at God’s sovereign interest in every detail of my life. He loves me that much!
Sovereignty is churchy word, but one that brings such comfort! The way I understand it, there is absolutely nothing that happens in the cosmos that is outside of God’s influence and authority. In other words, God is in control.
Do you believe that? All the time? Even when He is silent. Even when His answer doesn’t seem to make sense? Ouch.
What about the Minutiae?
When God’s power is on display in flashy ways we know it. Remember the feeding of the 5000 or the 10 plagues of Egypt? When Ian’s lungs began to work after 9 days on EKMO, we recognized God’s power, so did his entire medical team.
More often though, God works behind the scenes, through ordinary people and things. Even though God’s power and involvement is less obvious, He is NEVER not sovereign, He NEVER shares His throne. How easy it is to take the credit and forget His sovereign hand in the minutiae of life. … “It’s your breath, in our lungs, so we pour out our praise…”
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Under Assault
The truth is…this biblical view of God and His sovereignty is under assault. In a world full of evil, suffering and even disasters it’s no wonder. When we don’t understand His ways, we prefer the idea of coincidence. Because when things happen by chance, we can explain them away with luck or karma. But that thinking is dangerous. Coincidence conveniently removes the necessity to acknowledge God and denies His dominion over our lives. And just like that we’ve claimed the drivers seat, self reliant masters of our own destiny with no accountability. It all seems innocent enough.
But as Proverbs 14 warns…
Proverbs 14:12,13 MSG There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough look again—it leads straight to hell.
Convicted and humbled by the Lord’s orchestration of details in my own life, He has impressed upon me an important lesson. We need to be OK with the Lord’s mystery. How arrogant are we to expect it’s even possible to figure Him out entirely. He is God. We are not.
Isaiah 55:8,9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. 9 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Romans 11:33,34 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
What if in the face of mystery, we turn towards our sovereign God? We sit with Him in the dark and uncertain tunnel, trusting He is with us and will make His way known, in His time.
After all, the way I see it, there isn’t just a light at the end of the tunnel… There is light Himself who wants to be with us in the tunnel and carry us through it.
The Grease
In my experience, that small step of obedience, of turning towards Him in the face of mystery, has been the game changer. It’s as if obedience is the grease that unleashes a life full of His Providence.
GodsGotThis. Debbie Hucke
Karen Chalmers says
Praise the good & living God! Thank you for hearing our prayers!
debhucke says
❤️ Indeed.
Ify says
Amen. To God be the glory.
Ify
debhucke says
Amen Ify. Thank you!
Geraldine Dempsey says
I pray for your family and Sandia. You have no idea how special you are. I miss all of the wisdom and teaching and know that God is doing great things in Albuquerque because of your faithfulness and love of Christ
debhucke says
Oh Gerrie, you are missed too. I hope and pray you are adjusting to your new area.
Audra says
He really does care about the desires of our heart???? He makes a way when we get out of His way and His timing is perfect! So excited for your upcoming adventure!!
debhucke says
Thank you friend. Well said. “Prayers to stay out of His way.”
Anne kole says
I am rejoicing with you, Debbie! I love what you say about God Himself being the light. Your situation and his answers are dramatic. He’s showing me his providence in much smaller, quieter ways that are surprising but definite answers to my prayers and the desires of my heart. Thank you for your article and for our amazing Lord and Savior! ????
debhucke says
Isn’t that an illustration of faith… noticing Him when we cannot really see? Thank you Anne, for your faithfulness!
Melinda says
WOO HOO! I am so excited for you. Thrilled that you have a great fit for Ian and a little jealous of your adventure as well. On a personal note I needed a lot of what you said this morning and I will be re reading it to let it all soak in. Sort of in the middle of some hard times, so thank you for always being so open to share and be vulnerable. I am grateful.
debhucke says
Thank you friend. Sorry to hear of your current tunnel. I will pray for you. Stay close to Him, “IT CAME TO PASS”.
Ginger Horner says
I am so happy for you and Doug to realize a dream come true.
I am grateful to God that Ian has a roommate, too. God’s timing is always perfect.
Wishing you a safe, fun and God inspired sabbatical. You will be missed!
Blessings, Ginger
debhucke says
Thank you Ginger. We covet your prayers and we’re grateful for them.
Wendy says
I hope you enjoy this wonderful opportunity to renew and rejuvenate.
debhucke says
Renew and rejuvenate… love the sound of that.
Terri says
I can remember a few times where exciting times lay ahead, but I just wanted to CANCEL, stay home where it was safe and known. I very much admire your bravery, Debby, and your inspiring trust in the Lord. I pray you and Doug will be blessed greatly in ways unimaginable during your sabbatical.
debhucke says
Ha! He hardwired me to love adventure, that’s for sure. Thank you, friend.
Kerry says
Amen to your message and all the comments. So happy for you and Doug. What a wonderful opportunity!
debhucke says
Thank you Kerry! We have amazing supporters. You included.
Berta Pitzer says
Hooray!! Hallelujah!! Praise God that you will be getting away and that Ian has a roommate who loves him!! As I read through this, I completely identify in a personal way. Our oldest son fell off a ladder at work and snapped his femur in half and also damaged the knee below it. After 2 surgeries he came home to live with us for a month! Today, he was able to move home!! This has been a huge learning curve for all of us in relying on God and His timing. Trusting God even when we couldn’t see Him. Praising God that he wasn’t more seriously injured and trusting Him to watch over him as he continues to heal at home. I’ll be praying for you as you pack and prepare for this time away. I love how God will be in the finest details of your journey. Love you Debe
debhucke says
Thank you Dear Berta, It won’t surprise you but this dear friend is coming off of a powerful Great Banquet weekend. ????
Berta Pitzer says
I love how He speaks to us on those weekends!! How He heals us on those weekends! Come Holy Spirit!!
debhucke says
Indeed!
Ruthie Mendoza says
This is such good news, Debbie! God provides, as do his angels on earth.
debhucke says
Yes… and the many angels on earth have been amazing.
Mary says
Wow, reading about a miracle today is just uplifting. I am happy for you and Doug and Ian. And, it was great to see you on the tennis court too. Our journeys definitely have ups and downs and it sure is comforting to know that God is always, always with us on the journey.
Take care. MO
debhucke says
Good to see you on the court too, Mary. Glad you’re back in action and thanks for chiming in. He is always with us. What a comfort.
Emmy Browning says
So excited for you and Doug. What a blessing that someone cares so much about Ian that she’ll agree to stay with him. Enjoy your time away.
debhucke says
Thanks for your kind encouragement Emmy.
Ann says
So delighted for you and Doug! Enjoy!
debhucke says
Thank you Ann!
Gina Cooper says
“We (I) need to be OK with the Lord’s mystery.”
I LOVE this!
Thanks, Debbie!
debhucke says
Right there with you!????