I learned long ago that I am a doer.

When I lived in New York, I found myself doing many things: engaged in public speaking, working as a social worker, and organizing events for the youth at church. Without a doubt, it was a fruitful season and I enjoyed every moment of it.

As seen in nature, seasons change. So it went with my life.

Upon arriving in Texas, my days were occupied with non-stop care for young children and navigating through medical stuff. The season felt barren and I felt hidden.

But God impressed upon my heart to be at peace with this season and to faithfully do whatever He prompts me to. It was challenging and humbling, but I decided to trust Him in the process. Those days involved me singing worship songs in the hospital room and later empowering my discouraged child to do that at the school table.

Along the way, as seasons changed, I was asked to:

-lead a small group with my husband;
-help coordinate plans for my family members’ weddings; and
-join the team for this women’s ministry.

At the time I didn’t realize how those were like stepping stones. Each one required the posture of my heart being joyfully submitted to the Lord.

To my great surprise, I was eventually asked to:

-lead the marriage ministry at the church campus with my husband for a period;
-coordinate graduation for our homeschool community and a gala for a ministry dear to our hearts; and
-teach from the Bible for this women’s ministry regularly during our online studies.

Every one of those opportunities allowed me the chance to point others to the Lord. Wow! Look at how our Father worked through little ol’ me ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

When I felt as if my gifts had gone missing in action, I had a choice to either hang out at the pity party I created for myself or to complete whatever came my way with joy – as if it was the most significant thing I could ever do.

In the book “Anonymous” by Alicia Britt Chole, she talks about how “Jesus took the form of a man. He then submitted to Father God’s whispers guiding Him into an extended anonymous season that concealed all signs of visible fruit from the waiting world for decades. But the harvest that grew from Jesus’ submitted life can spiritually feed the whole world!”

Chole says, “The unsettling spaces that you and I experience are actually the surprising birthplace of true spiritual strength. They offer us the opportunity to develop an unshakeable identity, to discipline our thought life and to rest in God’s timing.”

Whichever season you find yourself in today: “Hidden in winter, growing in spring, fruitful in summer, or transitioning in the fall, may God do whatever is needed to introduce others to the living hope found only in Jesus.”

“Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;” (Deuteronomy 7:9 AMP)

~Joyce

(Photo Credit: Stone Creative; captures me with my hubs aka my biggest supporter)

by joyce

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