A Beloved beginning

The Lord gave me the vision for ‘Beloved’ as I sought Him on what was next for me in life. After transitioning out of full-time ministry and into becoming a wife and mom, I needed to know what was next for me. I knew that the Lord had given me a ministry, and I was eager for it, but time was passing, and nothing was happening. Looking back, I can see how I hadn’t yet learned about God's timing in regard to His purpose. And I didn’t realize that He still needed to develop me for the ministry to which He had called me. So, months turned into years - yes, patience is a virtue! - and things finally began to be clear to me. As life happened, like only it can, I was faced with a series of devastating scenarios that presented me with 2 options: I could go through them, or grow through them. I chose to GROW. I held firm onto Romans 5:3-4 "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" - NLT. I walked in this waiting season for 5 years before the Lord spoke to me that it was finally time for me to begin this ministry. He told me He'd use me right where I am, in my current position and situation. I didn’t understand what the ministry was going to be or how He was going to do it. It was in a conversation with the Lord one morning, as I was once again trying to piece together this ministry, He said to me ‘I love you, April - you are my Beloved.’ I felt so safe, refreshed, and strengthened in that moment. And Beloved was birthed from that moment! We officially launched the ministry in March, 2016!