Take My Life - Lead Me, Lord

I've been struggling for awhile now trying to figure out what it is that God is calling me to do.  I thought maybe something to do with music, but after talking with Kristen (our church's worship leader), I knew that wasn't quite right.  My heart just belongs to the children's ministry.  Maybe being better about singing and working with the kids on Sundays?  Yeah, maybe.  That feels a little better.  I'm on the right path.  I know God's wanting more out of me though.

Then, on Saturday, I had a bit of an epiphany.  This was my facebook post from that day:

"While mowing a friends lawn today, I found myself talking to God. Asking Him some questions and hoping for some clarity about some things that are going on in my life. Just simply to enjoy the moment alone to clear my thoughts while I worked. Then it got hotter and hotter, the grass got harder and harder to cut, the mower kept poopin' out - before I knew it my calm, patient conversation with God had turned into a whiney-fest. I was hot, frustrated and wondering why the heck I volunteered to mow on the hottest day we've had in weeks. Am I glutton for punishment?!?! Is God testing me?! What's the deal!!!??!! I quite literally groaned out loud, "Could you at least send me a cool breeze or something?!?!" Not even a minute later, I heard the rumble of a loud engine and looked over to see the neighbor on a riding lawn mower offering to mow everything I hadn't done yet.

OK, God. I hear ya. A big mower that could plow down all that thick grass was definitely better than a cool breeze.  I'm thankful for my lesson in remaining patient, humble and remembering that I really don't need to worry too much. To serve where I can and God will take care of the rest. I love those moments when God quite literally answers all of my questions and prayers within the hour. lol — feeling humbled."

He answered my prayers quite specifically.  Leaps and bounds above what I was even asking.  I just wanted a cool breeze and He sent a riding lawn mower to do the job for me.  That's when I knew for certain that I'm being called to serve others, wherever that might be.  I have lots of skills, lots of talents and lots of resources to make things happen - just use them!  Just go!  That was the lesson God was teaching me and guiding me in.  Serve others, selflessly and with a humble heart, and let Him take care of the rest.  He knows when I'm tired and frustrated, but there's always something bigger going on.   I've done some odd things lately that I don't advertise that I know how to do (mostly because I don't actually know how to do them!  lol)  Yet almost every single day for two weeks, I've been given opportunity after opportunity to help someone out a little.  Sometimes it's a simple, mindless little task like mowing and other times it's something more significant. 

Then today at church, a sweet friend named Connie stopped to talk to me for a second.  She said some of the kindest, most encouraging words anyone has ever said to me.  She said she can tell God is calling me to do important things and that I'm already becoming such a wonderful leader without even realizing it.  WHAT?!  Me?  A leader?  No, no, no.  I don't think so.  Very nice of her to say, but I'm no leader.  Her words were heavy on my heart though.  The exact same heaviness (not in a bad way) I had been feeling for a few weeks.  That feeling that I'm being called to do something specific and I must figure out what it is.  As much as I don't view myself as a leader, her words stuck with me.

A moment later, good ol' Josh came over to talk.  He's the Children's Ministry Leader.  Super awesome, enthusiastic guy that does great things with the kids and youth.  He asked me if I had a minute to talk.  He proceeded to extend a fantastic opportunity to me that will really allow me to get to know more people.  To get involved in church at a completely different level.  Not only will I get to serve others, but I would get to be part of the process of helping other people serve others!  How amazing is that?!  And all of this would be in direct relation to serving in the Children's Ministry.  My sweet infants, toddlers and preschool-aged kids that I simply adore.  I haven't given him an answer yet, but it's a REALLY exciting opportunity that I'm praying about and seriously considering.  Although, I think it may be a no brainer what my decision will be. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I have NEVER more clearly heard God speaking to me and moving in my life as I have since becoming an active member at ThatChurch.  (http://thatchurch.com/)  I'm so very excited to see what God does with me next.  I hear ya, God.  I'm listening.  Use me!