I’m not sure whether it was her love of Africa or the adorable tees she sells that first caught my attention, but this tender-hearted momma stood out from the crowd.
She navigates the missionary life – one foot in the States and the other in Uganda – with passion and finesse, and manages to capture her journey so beautifully through word and picture.
Meet Moriah…
WHAT’S YOUR STORY, MORNING GLORY?
Fear. It’s not something that I wanted to be a part of my story, but it was.
As a child I struggled with a lot of different fears, ranging from the fear of blushing for no real reason to being afraid I would up and die in my sleep. Looking back, I can see how much my fears controlled my choices and my actions, and often prevented me from reaching out to others or trying new things. Thankfully, fear is no longer the focus of my story. I’ve grown in the Lord and my dependence on Him and learned to allow His strength and guidance to become my focus, rather than the fears that Satan would be happy to have me focus on. I’ve walked through many childhood fears and have come out stronger and closer to the Lord. I’ve journeyed through many unknowns, and although fear still wants to rear its ugly head at times, I know the Lord walks with me.
After graduating with a nursing degree I worked as a Hospice nurse. My job revolved around making sure that my patients died comfortably and peacefully. I often prayed with patients and their families, especially through the times of feeling somewhat helpless and knowing that fear was a very real thing for many of them. It struck me that the very thing I feared so much as a child, was something I now worked around on a daily basis.
My family and I are now living and serving in Uganda. Just the plane ride its self was enough to start up the familiar turmoil of fear. But the Lord has been present. He has walked with me through my fears and brought me to a greater place of freedom. He has been with me through work situations and moves across the world that I could have never imagined going through with the fears that once controlled me. He has brought a growing sense of freedom in Him where fear once reigned.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT YOURSELF?
I learned that I couldn’t rely on myself to overcome these fears. I had to give up control and loosen the death grip I held on trying to control things and let go of always knowing the outcome. I had to give God the control and remember that He was working things for my good. He was writing my story as only He could and no matter what happened He would be there walking alongside me.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER ABOUT GOD’S CHARACTER IN THE PROCESS?
He is patient and full of grace! If it was me dealing with, well…me, I would probably be pretty fed up by now! “Don’t you remember how much I have cared for you? Don’t you remember how I have always been present? Don’t you remember that there is no need to fear? Really, Moriah, we’re going to start that again?” But thankfully God doesn’t react to my forgetfulness of His goodness the way I would! He has continued to draw me to Him through the fears, the hesitancy, the forgetfulness, and the many mistakes I’ve made along the way. He shows me He is gracious and continues to lovingly guide me in seeking my purpose in Him.
HOW DID THIS EXPERIENCE EFFECT OR SHAPE YOUR PASSION TODAY?
I think that walking through these fears growing closer to the Lord and more willing to allow Him to guide my steps has brought me to a place where I find great joy in encouraging others and pointing them towards hope in the Lord, especially other mamas as I walk through that season currently!
Whether it has been pointing others towards the hope of heaven as I worked in Hospice, encouraging and bringing joy through my Etsy shop, Oh Tiny Gifts, brainstorming with women and encouraging them in their work here in Uganda, writing on my blog about raising littles, supporting my husband, or helping my children learn and grow, encouragement and hope in the Lord have been a common theme. To encourage others that the Lord has a purpose for them and has them placed right where He wants them to be. To encourage them to not allow fear to control their life, but let the Lord lead. To tell them that they are doing good work. To say that that even through the mistakes and the fumbles the Lord is patient and full of grace!
I continue to find new ways to share my passions and it’s ever evolving. Though sometimes I’m not sure how to fit everything together that I want to do, I know the Lord is directing my steps and will continue to guide me.
IF YOU COULD SUM UP YOUR STORY IN ONE SENTENCE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Trusting God and taking leaps of faith is always better than staying immobilized by fears.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A WOMAN FACING THE SAME STRUGGLE?
Let it go. (Now I’ll pause while we all join in unison to the Frozen theme song!) But seriously, let go of the fears that hold you prisoner and let God’s spirit of freedom flow through you. God has such a great plan and purpose for each of us, and often we only realize this when we let Him take control and start putting our trust in Him.
IS THERE A FAVORITE QUOTE OR SCRIPTURE YOU HAVE CLUNG TO?
Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
WHAT DOES THE WORD TRUST MEAN TO YOU, AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
Trust can be hard for me, but I’m also realizing how good it can be when placed in the Lord. When I try to control my day, my week, my month, or life plan in general, my days are filled with more tension, stress, and anxiety. When I place my trust in the Lord’s plan it doesn’t mean that things are magically perfect, but it does ultimately mean that I have given the reigns to One that truly is PERFECT!
Most of my days revolve around caring for my littles. That often involves me trying to control the day’s outcome, but let’s just say a lot of days are unpredictable! While it’s true that a big part of my job is protecting and guiding my children, in the end, I have to hand these precious beings over to the Lord and trust in His plan for them as well.
WHAT ARE 2 THINGS YOU ARE LOVING RIGHT NOW?
As far as what I’m loving right now…mostly carbs…because I’m pregnant, and finding free kindle books through BookBub!
THANKS MORIAH! WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE FOR READERS TO FIND YOU?
You can find my musings at ohtinygifts.com, follow me on Instagram or Facebook
