Personal Development … Fall 2016

Happy Fall!  It seems hard to believe that Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are almost upon us.

As you read this, some of these holidays may have already passed.  I am always reminded at this time of year as I watch the leaves change color and begin to fall that God is indeed in charge of everything and the seasons come and go without my being in control!  That’s a good thing!

This is a new experience for me. Talk about challenge! I am very much feeling my way along as I begin my responsibilities as Coordinator of Personal Development.  My thanks to Lecia Rodriguez for her example to follow!  Tough shoes to fill I think!

I began to write this article amidst great stress.  We were celebrating my Dad’s 99th birthday with family and extended family, I had a funeral to prepare for, this article to write, some pastoral duties, and no time to think about anything, let alone get my thoughts down on paper.

Most of you live somewhat like this every day as you juggle family responsibilities and work life!

I woke up early and began to type as fast as I could think.  As I sat there my computer screen went black and then these small white letters appeared telling me that my computer was going to do a System Upgrade. I read the words, “This may take some time.”  I was devastated.  There was simply no more time!

Normally my reaction is to cry out to God that He had asked me to do all this stuff and now He’s not helping me at all!  My reaction this time was different.

I have a chair in my Study that I use for devotions and fortunately I had cleaned out the piles of stuff that were in it.  I sat down and simply said, “God, I need to be with You.  I don’t know what You want me to do.”

His answer was quite simple, really.  He immediately answered, “You’re doing it. You want to be with Me.”  An incredible peace enveloped me.

Now nothing had changed.  My work load was as difficult as before but I had come to the One that I serve.  Long story made short, everything got done and I wasn’t exhausted, irritable, or sort-tempered as I did what needed to be done.

Two Scriptures come to mind: Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” and Matthew 6:33, the most important one, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

I don’t know what you may be going through right now but I do know that you are never alone!

Take a second and just sit with God as you enter this holiday season.

Let Him hug you.

Let him love you.

Let Him lead you.

Yours in Christ, Kathy