Letting go, stepping out, and taking flight.

Brrrr. It’s cold out there today! I don’t know about you, but I am not ready for winter. November is here and so is the… snow? I haven’t seen snow this early since I was a little kid. It sure is beautiful though. Hi friend, I’m so glad you’re here. We’re gonna need some hot chocolate and a few blankets for this visit.

So last week I talked about sticking to the plan and this week I want to talk about the results of sticking to the plan. You see, I had made a decision to walk away from my home church and begin a new life in ministry at another church. I grew up going to church with my grandma every Sunday. As a kid and teen, I also attended youth night every Wednesday. As a young adult I attended different various services and Bible studies with her as well. The church family was my extended family. It was a beautiful thing. But like all things, this began to change. The pastor retired and a new one came in. The elders began to leave this earth for heaven. And young families moved away. The children grew up and got too busy for church. So church had changed and become something very unfamiliar to me. These changes were difficult to accept and so I had a few prodigal years of my own.

When my own children were old enough for sunday school, we returned to church on a regular basis. When my oldest son was 8 years old, I felt called to start up, lead, and teach the youth program. At that time, my boys were the only kids attending so there wasn’t a youth program at all. However, through my efforts, and God’s provision, I was able to bring in a good group of kids from the neighborhood. I kept the program going for 5 years. As the kids grew into teens they got involved in sports or other activities that took them away from church. Some of the kids moved away. While others simply drifted away. I still think about those kids and wonder where they are now. God sure knew what He was doing for me by putting me in that position. It was an incredible blessing.

During this time period I also began a women’s Bible study group. That too was an unexpected blessing. All of thos was going on during the Covid years, which made meeting in person a difficult task. So, often times I would switch to virtual meetings until it was safe to be in person once again. That group flourished for about 3 years and then fizzled out. Our group was made up of most women over 70 and so health issues became a big factor in our fizzling. Both of these ministry showed me my passion for ministry. So many things about myself were revealed through these experiences.  Ultimately these ministries helped give me confidence to take the leap of faith when I felt God call me to the pulpit. I didn’t know what my next step was, but im so thankful that God had a much better plan for me.

A few years ago, during one of our “revival”, I had another God moment. I felt Him call me once more. But somehow this time it felt incredibly impossible. I kept telling myself that I had misunderstood. That the message was not for me. That I was not meant for that. But I knew in my heart, without a doubt, that the message was exactly as I understood it and it was for me. I spent the next couple of years fighting God on this issue. Sometimes I would dare to dream and imagine what this new assignment would be like and I would feel almost sick to my stomach with nerves. I just couldnt imagine this being possible for me. I began to self doubt and self destruct. Rather than water this seed of a new assignment, I tried to dry it out and kill it. I told myself that I was being conceited. Who was I to think that big of myself. And yet God kept reminding me and He kept assuring me that the assignment is for me.

I have spent the last couple of years only going so far, as far as I could handle. But when things became too unsure and uncomfortable, I would pull back. Once again fighting with God. This led me here today. I have left my home church. It wasn’t home any more. Everything had changed. And no matter how hard i fought that change, it was inevitable.  It was just as God planned it. He knew that I wouldn’t leave otherwise. At the new church, I have spoken with the pastor about my ministry role there, and we’re planning to begin in January.  Im excited but nervous at the same time. Ive gotten to know these people over the past 12 months and I love them dearly. As of now, I’m worried that they won’t like how I lead. That they won’t accept my position in their community. I know these are honestly not real concerns. These people have embraced me from day one. This to me, seems like a God thing. Although I haven’t tried out many different churches, I am still aware that the love and acceptance that I have found in this place is rare and its definitely God’s doing.

I’ve let go, I’ve stepped out, and Im ready to fly. Right now I feel like I am on a roller coaster, at the top of the first hill, waiting to free fall into joyful chaos.

I hope this has blessed you in some way. To God be the glory!💜

• The Perfect Sabbath
  Last Sunday was my ideal perfect sabbath day. It was the combination of the weekend and a snow day. We got so much snow that church was canceled. It was… Read more: The Perfect Sabbath
• Possibility of Opportunity
  Have you ever found yourself in a unique position that led to a chance at an opportunity you’d been hoping for? Recently I have found myself in such a position.… Read more: Possibility of Opportunity
• Stick To The Plan…
  I posted a new blog today about sticking to the plans we make when we’re feeling good, even when we don’t feel like it anymore. On our good days we… Read more: Stick To The Plan…
• About The Author
  I’d like to take a moment to share a little bit about myself and my intentions for this blog. I am a Christian, grew up Baptist, but Im more non-traditional… Read more: About The Author