For those of you who are wondering if all the time, energy, and resources you are using are worth it...they are!
For those of you who wonder if you are making a difference...you are.
For those of you who feel that you are being stretched and called to do something more...perhaps you are.
As many of you know, I resigned from my position as Children's Director of Ministry and Missions in December 2019.
At the time, I felt that I was letting God down...I felt that I was letting the children down...I felt I was letting my church family down.
I also felt that I was throwing away gifts and talents...and years of experience and knowledge.
However, at the same time, I knew that God was calling me to something more. If I were being totally honest with myself, I would even admit that God had been working on my heart for quite some time before I finally gave in to His new calling.
God had been challenging me with new dreams...giving me new desires, new gifts...opening my eyes to new needs. And at the same time, I was becoming discontent with where I was serving.
It took me quite a while to realize a few things. 1. God had chosen me to serve where I was for a particular season. 2. God had chosen me to lead a certain group of children...for a certain amount of time. 3. God wasn't finished with me yet.
When I look at the children that I have taught throughout the years, I have such a great feeling of pride. They are such a wonderful group of kids (many young adults now). They are well-grounded, caring, and giving. They are educated and ready to serve whenever there is a need. Many of them...although they are starting to scatter across the country...are still a very close-knit group of friends.
It was a goal of mine to never allow a child to leave the children's department without accepting Christ...and to the best of my knowledge, they each did exactly that!
These children are my harvest!
When gardening, we plant our seeds and hope for a good harvest. We hoe and weed...nurture and feed. We wait for the first seeds to sprout and then push up from the soil.
When the sun beats down...and the rain refuses to water the seeds...we become worried. When bugs and pests threaten our hard work, we become fearful.
But after all the hard work...after all the time spent nurturing...after all the worries...comes the harvest.
It is then...and only then...that we see the fruits of our labor.
Sometimes the harvest is plentiful...and sometimes it is lean but we keep planting, tilling, watering...and waiting for the harvest.
And when the harvest is complete, we till up the ground...and we prepare for planting time once again.
And when planting season comes again...what will your garden look like?
Will you plant the beans and peppers and tomatoes that you have always planted. Or, is God putting it on your heart to start all over and plant roses and zinnia's, dahlias, and peonies.
Whatever season God has you in...Plant, hoe, weed, feed, and water as if this is your last harvest.
And remember to...Grow Wherever You are Planted!
Have a blessed day! Praying for you always!
FYI...I have added a few of my garden pics from this year for any gardeners on here. It's been a lot of work and has taken a lot of time...and the harvest is so-so but it is a great place to pray and unwind.