God Will Act + Exciting Announcement! {Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 7}

Miss this series? Start at Part One: "Assets"

Cauley prayed and thought hard about becoming a midwife. Even with the support of the entire family, she wanted to hold the dream loosely in case the Lord closed doors and led in another direction.

She committed her way to the Lord. She trusted in Him. She began researching midwifery educational programs and discussing them with my parents. She'd found one she really liked, Association of Texas Midwives. The program would allow her to do the bulk of the course from home, which was important to her.

But there was still a major consideration: the cost. On the list of essentials were the enrollment fees, books, a new laptop and a vehicle for necessary travel. It all seemed pretty insurmountable. She submitted an essay for a scholarship, but to no avail. The scholarship program wouldn't recognize ATM a university or college. McCauley wasn't sure what to do.

~ Psalm 37:5 ~ 

"Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him, and he will act."

When the Lord acts, He leaves us awe-struck. He'd orchestrated our network of friends beforehand in such a way as to connect our family with a Christian benefactor. McCauley got busy on another essay outlining her vision and emailed it. In mean time, she faithfully participated in household operations, poured into her family relationships, and continued to build her handcrafted inventory. After a while, the benefactor responded. He had chosen to give McCauley a full scholarship including the cost of books! You should've heard the commotion when she announced that news!

A few months later, Daddy set a brand-new laptop on McCauley's desk and her books began arriving at our door.

She sought first the Kingdom of God. She put her confidence in Him. She was educated by Scripture and shaped her occupational desires by the greater context of God's plan for history. She applied herself wholeheartedly to the wise stewardship of all He'd already given her. She committed her work and way to the Lord. Her plans were established—and He is now bringing it all to pass.

All that is left on the "Needs List" is a vehicle and it isn't a necessity until next year. She's currently working to raise money for that with her Etsy shop and other local services. We're on the edge of our seats to watch how God provides for that or leads in a better direction. We know He will act. 

Want to read the rest of this series?

Part 1: Assets

Part 2: Direction

Part 3: Fears

Part 4: Security

Part 5: Education

Part 6: Getting Started

Part 7: God Will Act + Exciting Announcement!

Getting Started {Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 6}

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What should I do with my life?

So, putting our confidence in the Lord, operating according the greater context of His reality, and having Scripture as the foundation and substance of our education, how do we figure out what we're supposed to be doing with our life?

~ Proverbs 16:3 ~

"Commit your work to the LORD,

and your plans will be established." 

The first question we must ask ourselves is this: what are we doing with our life now? Every single one of us have responsibilities. It is our job to figure out exactly what those responsibilities are, commit our work to the Lord and then do our job whole-heartedly!

~ Colossians 2:23 ~ 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," 

I remember when Cauley was nearing graduation last year, asking what she ought to do next. As she wrestled over this question, she examined the assets that the Lord had already given her. Was she being a good steward over the "little" she had?

My sister began striving to be even more faithful with the life God had given her then. She became more efficient at cleaning the house, more available for running errands and more avid in her study of Scripture. She investigated our bookshelves and outlined her own private post-highschool studies. She poured into the children whom she babysat and nannied.

She also responded to the instruction of her father. Once upon a time Daddy asked us all to begin using the crafting supplies we had around the home to create useful things to sell. We all began crafting at that point, but our experiment didn't last long. Last year, Cauley decided to take dominion over the upside-down craft room and get busy building inventory. Pretty soon, The Thinking Tree was born.

As she faithfully stewarded her days, our family continued to discuss what direction the Lord would have us to take. As we talked about God's Law, our respective spheres of influence, Daddy's vision, the community and the future, a dream began to take shape in Cauley's heart. She wanted to become a midwife. She timidly presented the idea to the family and was met with overwhelming support. God had established her plans.

Next Up:

"God Will Act + Exciting Announcement!"

{Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 7}

Part 1: Assets
Part 2: Direction
Part 3: Fears
Part 4: Security
Part 5: Education
Part 6: Getting Started
Part 7: God Will Act + Exciting Announcement!

Education {Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 5}

Miss this series? Start at Part One: "Assets"

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Thoroughly Equipped

Higher education is extremely important. We're commanded to be fruitful, take dominion of the earth, subdue the complexities of nature (Genesis 1:28) and teach the nations God's Law (Matthew 28:19, 20)—we can't expect to excel in these colossal tasks without an adequate education.

~ Psalm 71:17 ~

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth:

and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."

~ Ecclesiastes 12:11, 12 ~

"The words of the wise are like goads,

and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings;

they are given by one Shepherd.

My son, beware of anything beyond these.

Of making many books there is no end, 

and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (ESV)

Drawing near to the end of his days, Solomon had run the gamut of human experience. He knew what it was like to be rich, powerful, famous—successful. He came to the conclusion that, in and of itself, the human experience is vanity. Occupational success must have a greater context to truly have meaning. Therefore, we must be educated in reference to the greater context in order to truly be wise. Solomon concludes:

~ Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 ~

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,

whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (KJV)

All of life—all of our education and occupation—must be in the greater context of the fear of God, His Law and His judgement. It makes sense, then, that Paul would tell Timothy:

~ 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ~

"All Scripture is breathed out by God

and profitable for teaching, for reproof,

for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

equipped for every good work."

Books and study tools are important elements of a good education, but an adequate education begins with Scripture. This passage is especially exciting to me because it is so comprehensive. Look at the breakdown of the word work here:

"Business, employment, that which anyone is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry or mind" — Strong's

This passage is thoroughly economic. It has to do with real-life, applicable education. Scripture must be the foundation of our every enterprise so that we may thoroughly equipped to operate according to the greater context of God's plan for history.

Next Up:

"Getting Started"

{Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 6}

Want to skip around?

Part 1: Assets
Part 2: Direction
Part 3: Fears
Part 4: Security
Part 5: Education
Part 6: Getting Started
Part 7: God Will Act + Exciting Announcement!