Your Ministry is found where you've been broken!

Today marks 5 years for my SteppingOut ministry. This quote says it all!

I began my SteppingOut ministry during one of the most hurtful times in my life...a church hurt moment. A moment that I am sure many of you have experienced!

Church hurt is one of the most hurtful hurts we will ever feel...but we can't let it define who we are or our ministry.

It is because of this hurt that I stepped away from my position as Children's Director, (one that I had held for many years), I stepped away from many so called friends, I stepped away from my church and, I stepped out to find what God was calling me to next.

When looking back, I see that God was already calling me elsewhere. He had already begun to develop new interests, new gifts, new talents within me...long before I resigned. These new gifts would serve me well as God called me to lead and train other children's ministy leaders and provide resources that would help them reach far more children than I ever could have reached on my own.

It may not be easy...but when God begins to develop new interests, new callings, new gifts, new talents...and He shows you an open door...don't be afraid to step out and follow where He leads!

I once had a Pastor tell me "When your job becomes so easy that you can do it with your eyes closed, it's time to challenge yourself with something new." He was so right!!!

Is the church hurt gone? No, I'm not ever sure that it will ever truly be gone for me.

However, it does not define who I am or my ministry. It doesn't prevent me from serving when God calls. It did however cause me to guard my heart more closely and to treat others with love and kindness...being aware that words and actions DO hurt!

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

Today, I can truly say that I have been restored...and this is ONE of my testimonies!