My Promise To God...

As some of you know, my journey started many years ago in a third grade classroom. That is when I learned that orphanages existed. Still to this day I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept that any red-blooded human being could willingly abandon their child… As a third grader, I made a promise to God and to myself (a lofty personal goal): that when I grew up, I was going to “fix that” (the orphanage problem, mind you).

I don’t blame you for sitting there chuckling; hey, I laugh when I tell the story, too. I mean, really… how many third graders grasp the concept of personal goals, life-time commitments and ultimately solving world problems, right? However, God spoke to me at a very early age. He touched my heart and made me realize what my calling was.

As I grew, the natural process of discovery took place, but God kept that personal venture within my heart and soul, subtly reminding me, as I struggled through different career paths (of course, none being quite the fit I was hoping for)… all the while I volunteered with outreach work. Throughout the years (twenty years, or so) I always found I was most content during the hours I volunteered, and often would say that I wished I could find a job doing outreach… yet, God’s subtle hints weren’t getting through to me (obviously!)… I still had that calling to fulfill (a.k.a. my promise I made in third grade).

Four years ago it was as if He slapped me up side the head - I finally “got it” what he was gently telling me year after year, day after day. I enrolled in college to obtain a degree to legally help others and earn a living doing so. As many of you know, I have been attending school nights and weekends in addition to working full-time (plus a little overtime here and there). This takes a toll in many ways, but God gives me the energy and drive to maintain high grades, and continuous financial means appear just when I think the funds have dried up.

God has a plan for all of us. What does He have planned for you? Have you explored this with Him? My purpose was revealed to me when I was very young. He never let me forget. Even when I swayed a little off of the beaten path, He always brought me back to where I needed to be. God is with us every step of the way. Why not walk with Him and for Him? Let God live through you…

Philippians 1:20-24
For I live in eager expectation and hope… that I will always be bold for Christ… and that my life will always honor Christ…

Philippians 3:8-14
I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be…

May God bless you and lead you!