So most of you that follow me know I have moved back home to Florida *Breaking in a moment here to say SQUEEEEEE my husband will be here tomorrow morning and I CAN NOT WAIT* Okay back to the story. Â As a christian it’s very important to me to the best of my ability do what God has called me to do. Â I knew when we came down for vacation in July it was time for my family to be back here. Â Now talk about a faith move. Â Leaving my job, my husbands job was up in the air if we moved (more news on the awesomeness there in another post or down below in this one if I can’t stop typing LOL). Â However when you feel the call of God you know you have to step out in faith.
I will be the first to say stepping out in faith is not the easiest thing to do sometimes. Â It’s scary and uncertain but knowing God is in control you know it’s certain in His way. Â The past few weeks I have prayed and prayed over so many things going on and there were times here and there something would happen that would be like a shot to the heart. Â Almost as if life was coming against me to shatter my faith for all I am believing. Â But even when that would happen and that rope I was holding onto would unravel I would never let go. Â I might be holding on to the smallest piece of rope (figuratively speaking of course) but I would still hold on even if only by a small percentage to my faith.
As I held on and prayed I kept hearing the words “Faith Approved” over and over. Â I thought “Oh how cool a little slogan for me to have fun with since I am holding onto my faith through all this“. Â Then I sat writing out my prayer list and kept feeling “Faith Approved….It’s Done” Â and it hit me a lesson I have learned over and over but yet can never learn enough. Â If you can hold onto your faith through even the stormiest of storms the things you have been believing for and praying about will come to pass (as long as they are in line with God’s word of course). Â They come to pass because they are Faith Approved. Â You had faith and held onto it so He said yes.
Then yesterday as I was praying and just listening to worship I started writing a poem. Â If you don’t know I have always been one who loves to write poetry. Â I don’t put it out there much but I do write here and there. Â They aren’t super deep poems and some may even be silly but they mean something to me. Â I love to write almost as much as I love to dance. So as I said I was sitting at the table just praying and got out a pen and paper and wrote the following poem:
Faith Approved
There’s no need to worry
No reason to fret
Just keep your faith
Because God said Yes
When life throws a curveball
And the waters are rough
Hold tight to your faith
Even when it’s tough
Through all the storms
Hold your faith tight
When everything seems dark
Just seek out His light
Let God be your shelter
He’s right by your side
Keep hold of your faith
He’ll always provide
He’ll give you the best
Watch all that he’ll do
All your needs met….
They’re FAITH APPROVED
Originally written by Toni Patton on 9/12/10
I just sat and said you know how true that is.  God takes care of all my needs.  My life is orchestrated according to His plan and the things I have faith for are already approved (if they are in line with Him).  I am so excited to see the things He is going to do while I am here and how He is going to use me.  Will I live a life perfectly in line with what he wants me to do….of course not I am human but I will do my best to live according to His word.  I am ready to dance again during worship and choreograph routines to inspirational songs.  I can’t wait to start leading youth with my amazing friend Jennifer.  I am just excited to see what God has in store.
Faith isn’t always an easy thing to have but it is what carries us through so much. Â I am so thankful for having my faith and trust me I have been through some horrible situations that made me want to say “Okay this faith thing ummm not working so well in this situation, why did it have to happen”. Â But I didn’t I kept hold and kept moving forward. Â Faith walking toward what God is calling me to do. Â Sometimes I didn’t understand where in the world I was headed or why I had to go through something but I knew to focus on Him and trust that He was laying the path for me to follow even when I couldn’t see it.
So as I said I am excited to see what all is going to happen but I KNOW that good things are coming to me and my family. Because it’s been FAITH APPROVED already!
Toni Patton
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Not long at all, but very much worth the read.
Faith is a powerful thing. Even though we naturally have doubt, those who have faith will have an easier time letting go and letting God.
Thanks for sharing this. Nice poem BTW.
I love this Toni! Its awesome to see how clearly God works in our lives even when we are walking through storms. Of course I don’t think its awesome at all when I’m in the middle…that’s for sure. And its that part about “if it is his plan” that is always the hardest for me to know and hear. So for me, I work really hard to remind myself to keep looking up to Him and when I let go of my outcomes, I’m always happier, always more encouraged, always more hopeful. Thank you for sharing Faith Approved…I LOVE the confidence it shows us all to have in His plan and provision, in things both seen AND sunseen =)
Very awesome story Toni. It reminds me of a sermon that was preached during revival this year and how it applied to a friend of mine. It was on digging trenches of faith. My friend started preparing for a job she felt in her heart she was going to get. She was given scripture after scripture about faith and about Peter and how when he started losing faith, he starting sinking in the water. Even when she didn’t get the phone call when she was supposed to, she went to pray. After her prayer time she received the phone call that she had gotten the job. I appreciate, just like my friend, you sharing this story. Seeing how other’s faith sustains them encourages me in my own faith. Thank you!
Amen! Beautiful poem Toni!
This is beautiful…At first it felt too long to read, but I felt in love with each sentence and kept reading…Brought tears to my eyes…thank you truly for posting this..I believe that God is always good and I will continue to keep my faith..I have to share this with some of my friends..thank you again 🙂
Toni, that is the best news I have heard in a long time. I am so happy for you! Keep your FAITH because heaven knows there are days when that is ALL that we have to keep us going!
Love to you and yours!
😉 LOVE IT!! You really are blessed!I love you poem and thanks for the encouragement.
What a wonderful poem Toni and it was not long at all. I really enjoyed reading it. It is definitely something I needed to read.
Love that slogan- “Faith Approved”– need that stamped on my forhead! Also, love the poem– you should share more!! Glad you and the fam are settling in in FL. God Bless.
Sometimes it’s hard to accept God’s plan and God’s will. I’m a living example of that. But, just like your poem indicated, it always works out to His will and His way. Thinks always work out in the end, even in the most trying of times.
Faith will carry you through. Trust God, Love people and Walk with Integrity in all you do. Mom