While I’d seen her name pop up several times on Instagram, and through our mutual involvement in The Influence Network, it wasn’t until I heard her share her story with Jamie on the Happy Hour podcast that I was undone by the thought of her. People, I was wrecked. Sitting in the Meijer parking lot, ugly-crying through her interview and ignoring my desperate need for fresh groceries.
I got to meet this passionate mom and story-teller in April, in North Carolina (where I cried again the moment I hugged her), and am so thankful for her sweet spirit and faithful pursuit of the Father.
Meet Retha…
WHAT’S YOUR STORY, MORNING GLORY?
So recently God has been pruning me in my walk. The path that God designed for me, I just went ahead of Him and began to do all the things I thought He wanted me to do. And as little things began to slow down or not work at all, I asked God what is going on. I heard him say, ‘you’re going a little further down the road that I want you to go and you’re leaning in a different direction‘. Which was confusing to me because I thought I was going the right way. And God said ‘you are going the right way but there are some stops along the way and if you’re going FAST you will miss the stops‘.
This is not the express bus. It’s pruning not punishment, it’s delay not denial.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT YOURSELF DURING THIS TIME?
Honestly, that I like the express bus (ha ha ha). Seriously, what I had to realize is that going slower gives more time to digest God’s beauty along the way. Going slower allows me to hear Him better and see His hand more clearly in what He is doing. I also learned that when we go slower we are more apt to praise Him and not ourselves.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT GOD’S CHARACTER IN THE PROCESS?
He is a true Father. He cares for every single step, He took time to make these steps especially for me so I should stop go slow and savor. Like when you eat good food, even if it’s your favorite and you have had it a ton of times. If you wolf it down, you can’t really taste the basil, or rosemary because you basically swallowed it. Not giving your tongue time to dance, let your tastebuds touch it.
God doesn’t make us wait or go slow because He’s mean, He wants us to see the beauty of what He created, designed JUST FOR US.
WHAT HELPED YOU OR SERVED YOU MOST PRACTICALLY IN THIS SEASON?
Reading my bible daily and writing in my prayer journal. Reading helped me see how and why Jesus was never in a rush. If He rushed through towns trying to get to the next event, speaking opportunity or home from the last church service he would’ve missed fellowshipping with the people who really needed him. He wouldn’t have felt the woman touch the hem of His garment. Reading that helped me see there is purpose in not taking the express bus.
HOW DID THIS EXPERIENCE EFFECT OR SHAPE YOUR PASSION TODAY?
It has given me laser focus on helping others see the richness of God’s word and learning how to apply it daily (Daily bread).
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A WOMAN FACING A SIMILAR STRUGGLE?
Don’t move, don’t go another step. Stop right where you are and be frank with God. Ask Him, God you told me this was the path, but nothing is happening, WHY? Then wait for Him to answer. He will meet you right there. He will tell you if you’re going too fast, or you made a turn that you didn’t think you made. Trust His words.
I think many times we aren’t honest with God, we try to pretty up our prayers and He isn’t interested if they are said properly. He wants honest words and He will explain exactly where you got off track. Be prepared, expectant! Remember it may not be exactly what you want to hear, ’cause honey, I didn’t want to take the multi-stop slow bus remember but NOW, oh how beautiful it is. So much beauty on these stops.
IS THERE A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE YOU’VE CLUNG TO?
James 1:5-6 (NLT) : “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”
I love this because it says to ASK and I was taught that you didn’t ask/question God, you just did. But how can you do if you don’t understand. So I ask for better understanding. And then He gives me a task or some responsibility with my asking. Which is to know He will answer, so be ready and don’t waver.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ARE LOVING RIGHT NOW?
• Fall Things : candy apples (don’t ask me how many I’ve eaten), fall weather (seeing the leaves change), being able to fix more soups, chili and stew.
• JohnnySwim’s new album, Georgica Pond. I absolutely love it, and their last one too.
THANKS RETHA! WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE FOR READERS TO FIND YOU?
Instagram is my favorite: @rethanichole
*As a side-note : take some time to listen to her incredible story of navigating the tragic loss of her husband, first to a coma and ultimately to death, and all the devastation and redemption surrounding that experience, right here.
