"Thank you! Now let's do this!"

When I was a little girl my dream was to be a teacher. It was the plan since my first day of school! My daddy hung a chalkboard in the garage - winter's cold or summer's heat - you could find my standing at the chalkboard "teaching" my dolls and stuffed animals. 
I didn't love school - but I loved the idea of teaching, of helping others learn and grow. It never entered my mind that I would ever do anything else. 

And that is how it all got started.

As I've walked through my 59 years on this earth, I've tried my best to "delight in the Lord," to love God and love people! I've truly enjoyed getting to know, serve and love those God placed in my path, especially children! 

 And "at just the right time", I was blessed to become a teacher! God gave me 20 wonderful years teaching pre-K kiddos, prepping them for Kindergarten. I couldn't have loved another job more! 

And then God said, "Thank you! Now let's do this!" 

In 1999 my calling changed from teaching preschoolers in a "secular/weekday ministry", to serving as a Preschool & Children's Minister in a local church. When I knew God was calling me into something different, I had to ask - "Are you sure!? There are SO many more qualified people than me!"  But, God persisted, and the Holy Spirit convicted, and with much prayer and counsel from friends and family, I said, "okay God, let's do this!" 

I was as green as a gourd! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. My morning conversations with God sounded something like - "Hi God, what will we be doing today?" Of course He never failed me and during my years of serving as a Preschool/Children/Family Minister, I had the honor of getting to know, serve and love on so many wonderful preschoolers, kids, teens and their parents! (some young and "seasoned" adults too!) 

I was very blessed to serve in "vocational church ministry" for 20 years!  
Then God said, "Thank you! Now let's do this!" 

During my 20 years serving the local church, I was given the opportunity to serve on the State VBS Team and lead training seminars for Preschool Church leaders. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, serving alongside State Missionaries and other church leaders of Alabama. It has been a highlight of my career!  

Then God said, "Thank you. Now let's do this!" 

In January of 2020 I began serving as a Alabama State Missionary, specializing in Preschool and Vacation Bible School ministries.  

I know, right!?! It's crazy!  How did I get here?!  I've often wondered, what happened to the little girl whose only dream was being a teacher? 

Well, recently while sharing a portion of my testimony at an Upwards Basketball halftime, God answered that question. 

As I prayed about what God would have me share, the verses Proverbs 16:3; "Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed."  and Proverbs16:9;  "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." came to mind. So as I'm talking - (this is so like God), he whispered . . . 

 "Her dreams came true!" 

You see, God didn't give me my dream for just a moment in time - He took my very small dream and God-Sized it!!! I've lived my entire adult career teaching - God just changed the subject!  I went from teaching the ABCs of reading, writing and arithmetic to the ABCs of salvation!  I've seen the excitement of a preschooler recognizing a word or writing his name - but I've also seen the excitement of a child pray asking Jesus to be the Lord of their life! 

I shared with these Upward families to delight in the Lord, and dream your dreams, just let GOD guide your steps and HE will lead you to HIS perfect path for your life! 

I sometime ask God what took so long, why couldn't I have just started here.
Silly me!  He said because, I used those 20 years to prepare you for the next 20 years, which have prepared you for this new path We're now walking!   

I'm so glad I chose to "Trust in the LORD with all my heart" and that I didn't lean on my own understanding!  I'm so thankful that HE directed my path.