Lessons I've Learned

And we know that all things work together for our
good to them who love God, to them who are the called
according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The Lord never ceases to amaze me at how He orchestrates the events and occurrences of my life. As I reflect on what I’ve learned recently, I am again astounded at this wonderful, Invisible God who is as real to me as anyone I can touch or see.

We are privileged to have a ladies’ Bible study at our law firm two attorneys started back in 1998. Our present leader has been experiencing issues at home and church and it has been increasingly difficult to lead our weekly study, thereby the need to switch to lessons every other week.

One attendee expressed she thrives on the weekly Bible studies. The “Good Samaritan” came out in me and I immediately volunteered to teach during the weeks our leader couldn’t. I also said I would teach for the remaining three weeks of the month. The leader of the group said we would be co-leaders.

Week after week, my time at home was consumed with preparations for the Bible study. Writing my devotionals took a back seat which I was not happy about because I felt the Lord called me to this ministry in 2005. I also knew that I was feeling compelled by the Holy Spirit to go back to leading an ensemble at church. I kept thinking, “How am I going to do all of this, work my job, have time for family, or even every day living? I am not feeling joyful about this, but stressed.”

About a week ago, I spoke with a woman at our church who teaches Bible studies and she told me how she prepares months in advance for a series of lessons. She expressed how she got so excited she could barely wait for her classes to begin. I left her thinking, “There must be something I’m missing because I am not getting excited about teaching at all.” I began to pray that I would have that same excitement. After all, surely I was doing God’s will.

Have you noticed that sometimes the Lord speaks through His servants? We had dinner with some friends and talked about our ensemble getting back together again and how the church loved and needed it. We have not sung in a number of months due to family issues. Now, I was ready to lead again. I talked about the Bible study, and expressed some of my concerns and how I was overwhelmed. My friend gave me some straight talk I felt were words from the Lord. Without revealing the extent of them, I contemplated what was said and went on to bed.

When I got up the next day, I couldn’t help but feel thankful and at peace about my friend’s words. After a series of e-mails with the leader of the Bible study, she sensed I had taken on too much. I was doing just what I had warned her about several weeks before when we talked about her taking another project at her church knowing she was already stretched. I had to take my own advice.

Afterwards our “e-conversations” that day, the decision came down to allow our capable leader to go on with her ministry as planned. It was decided that our studies every other week would go on as she had planned. I felt such a deep sense of relief and couldn’t hold back the tears. God will honor the decision and be glorified through it all. Our “God-called” leader of the Bible study will do a fine job and I will back her up with prayer and attendance.

After these things transpired during my day off from work, the Lord reminded me of something that happened some years ago in 9th grade Home Economics class. The teacher announced that we were going to make a blouse. Since I had taken Home Economics in 7th and 8th grades, I thought I was a professional seamstress. At the start of the project, a friend began asking me questions instead of going to the teacher. I helped her so much I barely had time to cut out my own blouse. Each day, my classmate would come to me and I would assist her while my own project suffered.

Finally, the six week period was about to close and the teacher announced that the next day we would turn in our blouses so she could grade them. I squirmed wondering what I was going to do.

After class I knew I had no alternative but to approach our stern teacher. Would she think I had only procrastinated? What if she wouldn’t listen or didn’t care what I had to say? Feeling like a whipped puppy, I braced myself. Red faced I approached her and explained my dilemma as I held my crumpled paper bag with unfinished blouse inside.

As I looked into my teacher’s face, she told me it was exemplary of me to help someone, but I should have finished my own project. I asked if she would mind if I took my blouse home and bring it back finished the next day, so she agreed. She told me I would receive a grade lower than I deserved since I had not finished my project in class. Happy she was in agreement, I thanked her and spun out of sight clutching my belongings knowing I was facing a few grueling hours behind the sewing machine.

The Lord also reminded me about something else that happened around about the same time. I have been singing since I was five years old either solo or with family so it wasn’t anything new when I put together a trio with my younger brother, Walt, a friend named Sue, and me. Another friend named Sandy was our pianist. Just as the Bible study teacher I mentioned earlier said she got excited about her lessons; I was just as thrilled when I found a song for our trio. I remember listening to an album with a youth choir which featured quite a few trios. When I heard a song I thought we could do, the excitement would propel me into action and I wrote down the words. One particular summer day I ran out of the house as fast as my legs would carry me until I found my brother playing outside. I then went to find Sue and Sandy, who also lived in the same neighborhood. It wasn’t long before we were singing God’s praises and also had our song ready for the next service.

It’s amazing that even though I’m in the prime of life the Lord still uses lessons I learned as a child to remind me of something relevant for the present time. Nothing is wasted with God and I love how He turns everything around for my good.

What is all of this about? I think the Lord has shown me in His most gentle way that I need to abide within the calling(s) He has for me. When I sing, I feel I’m in my element. When I write, I’m the same way. I know I’ve got music in my blood and also know God has called me to do the work of an evangelist. To be most beneficial to the Body of Christ I realize I must stay within the ministries God has called me to.