I was worried...but God had a plan all along!

I still have to be beat over the head sometimes before I FINALLY get it! But thank God for his patience, love and mercy. Transitioning to being at home meant leaving a job, a ministry that I passionately loved! It was through CARES that God really grew and stretched me. It was there that I really began to discover for the first time what my gifts are. Though I had years and years of intense fear when it came to public speaking, (or doing anything for that matter in front of a large crowd) I was for the first time discovering that I actually loved speaking/training.

I was enjoying what I was doing and had finally come to the place where I felt like I had "just taken off"...I was flying! As I was challenged with letting go and staying home, I couldn't help but wonder….what now? What do I do with all of the things that I have learned? How do I continue sharpening the gifts that God has given me? As I poured out my heart and brought these questions before the Lord, I knew that though the whole picture was not completely clear, I was going to have to let go and "trust" Him. So the real question for me was how much did I trust God?

I have recently seen God's answer to my prayers and am once again in such awe of his goodness and faithfulness. There I was one day surfing the net when I came across the Dale Carnegie website and I realized this is exactly what I have been looking for. It is a training center for people who want to improve their leadership, communications, and presentation skills, etc… I couldn't believe it! This was exactly what I needed…an avenue to keep learning and sharpening the gifts God has given me. As I read over the website, two pressing questions came to mind 1) how much is it? and 2.) how much time would it involve?

To my surprise, my friend Sheila, who sings with me on the worship team at church called me up and asked me what my interest was in Dale Carnegie because she had seen the interest forms I had completed on-line. I was a little confused at first until she reminded me that she worked in the sales department at Dale Carnegie. I couldn't believe it! I knew that Sheila worked at a "communication training center," but it never really clicked.

Following our conversation, Sheila set up an interview with the president and because of her, I was blessed with a scholarship for the Dale Carnegie Humans Relations Class. This class was 12 weeks long and met only once a week for 3.5hrs…very doable and easy on family time! I began the class right away and shortly into the course, I was invited to train as a Dale Carnegie Instructor.

Once I become a certified instructor, I can choose to teach as little as one to five days a week...the schedule is completely up to me! This was an answer to my prayers. Not only do I have the opportunity to continue sharpening my communication skills, but in addition I get to earn a little "mad money" doing something that I love...all without compromising my ministry to my family!

Looking back I realize that I would not have been able to take advantage of this awesome opportunity had I still been working, simply because between work and family there were just not enough hours in the day. I can't help but see how silly I was and how much worrying I was doing for absolutely nothing. I can see that God was at work all along and that he was moving me according to the plans he has for me.

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." One night when I saying bed time prayers with Isabella, I asked God to give her an obedient heart that trust her mommy to know what is best for her. It was at that moment that I was gently reminded that God desires the same from me…a heart that is motivated to respond in obedience, even though I cannot see what the road ahead looks like. Only a surrendered heart that is secure in the Father's love for them can trust that God "knows best."

Thank you Jesus for this gentle reminder. Give me too a heart of obedience that trusts you!