I never thought in a million years that I would walk away from my corporate career of nearly 17 years and say “yes” to whatever and wherever the Lord was leading me. As a single mom at the time, I was so worried about providing for my family that I had never thought to trust the Lord with my career. Yet, there I was— getting ready to leave it all behind and walk into the unknown. With much anxiety and fear in my heart, I pondered if it was the right decision to leave.
Should I stay?
Could I provide for my family?
Would I find another job that would allow me to balance my responsibilities with family, ministry, and work?
Will I be able to step into my purpose?
So many questions created a great deal of traffic in my mind, and in all my asking, it was not until I finally got quiet enough to hear the Lord speak that I heard the answer: It’s time to go. And best of all, He gave me His peace along with it!
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let your hearts not be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14: 27)
I reflect back on the moment that I packed up my desk, said my farewells to my colleagues (locally, across the country and around the world), and then said:
“Lord, you called me out of this role when I was confident and comfortable, and you’re asking me to get uncomfortable and trust you. So, I need you to make it plain and clear to me what you want me to do next.”
I waited on this big master plan or vision to come before me and for prophetic words to reveal more context or details. Instead, He only gave me enough information for each day. It was certainly not what I was expecting or wanting, but it was exactly what I needed. As I became more intentional with my time with the Holy Spirit, I discovered that much of what brought me joy throughout my days resulted from encouraging, advocating for, learning about, and walking alongside women and their loved ones.
I’ve come to realize that the Lord had been equipping me for this assignment all of my life. He did not waste a moment of my pain, sorrow, trials or tribulations (James 1: 2-4). Coming from a blended family, being a wife, mom of 6 and a bonus mom (mother figure) of another child, serving at Vineyard in AWANA, Kidz Quest (now VC Kids), Prayer Team, Soul Provider, and as a Small Group Leader of Single Moms called Jesus is In Control (JIC)— all of these roles provided me many opportunities to practice hearing, sharing and applying His word. I ask each of you the same questions I asked myself:
- How many times did the Lord ‘nudge’ you to leave a situation that no longer brings Him glory? (Deuteronomy 28:1-6)
- Is your fear getting in the way of trying something new? (2 Timothy 1:7)
- Do you put more faith in the stability you have provided yourself or in the One who gave you the strength, ability, and resources to do it? (Proverbs 3:5-6)
- Will you say “yes” to developing a relationship with Jesus so that you can know His voice when He speaks? (John 10:27)
- Will you say “yes” when the Lord leads you to leave your “familiar” and step into the unknown to trust Him? (Joshua 1:9)
- Will you say “yes” to the Lord, even when He didn’t give you what you (thought you) wanted? (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Will you say “yes” to listening when an elder shares his/her wisdom so that you may gain understanding? (Deuteronomy 32:7)
- Will you say “yes” when the young/youth share the truth with you? (Job 32:8-9)
- Will you lead even when you don’t “feel” like you have all that it takes? (Exodus 4:10-15)
In order to find answers, we must be curious and ask more questions. Daughters of God, we have work to do in building His Kingdom. Will you say “yes” to discovering what that is? I surely hope so. As we embark on this transformational journey together, it is my heart’s desire to walk alongside you and you with me.
