You would've thought that I would've gotten the hint while putting siding up on a house and scraping stucko off of the walls on my several mission trips to Perry County, Alabama. Or what about when I was hanging out in front of the schools and going door-to-door witnessing to the lost in South Korea, and then traveling to China and walking around and praying. However, for me, that was not the case. I was stubborn, and didn't want to hear what God was telling me time and time again. So He was patient, and continued to wait while I decided to do what I (emphasis on I) thought was best for me, and not Him. The way I saw it was that being a missionary was not a realistic ambition, because who really goes out into the world and actually does any of that, right? Wrong.
After graduating high school I had it set in my mind that the medical field was where I was supposed to be, and that was where God wanted me to go. So I went to the local community college near me for 2 1/2 years, and changed my major at least 4 or 5 times while I was there. I then transferred to The University of Alabama in Birmingham, where I proceeded to follow the path of becoming a radiation therapist. I thought it was all a "sign from Jesus" that I chose this path, because I was a part of the final class going through that program. Everything was going great! I was either making the Dean's List or President's List every semester, and still able to do my partying on the weekends (because that's exactly what God had in mind for me, right?). I moved back home for my last year of clinicals, drew closer to the Lord, and was able to be the support system for my pastor and his family while he battled with cancer. I just knew that this was what God had in store for me, because why else would He have brought me home my final year of school? Then everything changed, and I graduated.
Once I graduated from college, I thought to myself "this is it!". All I have to do is pass my boards, then I'll have the dream job, money, and perfect life. Then I didn't pass my boards the first time, and was completely devastated. Then, I regrouped and regathered myself and focused on taking it again. In the meantime I was fortunate to get the opportunity to be an In School Suspension Teacher, and I just knew that God lined that up for me so that I could draw closer to Him, and focus and prepare to take the test again. So I studied again, and did not pass…again. Then a third time I prepared, and still did not pass. I finally came upon my fourth time to take it (which was the last time I would be able to take it without having to go back to school). I had my entire church family praying for me, I hired a tutor, I went to a conference up north all to prepare for this final time. I remember the night before the final attempt sitting on my knees at the foot of my bed praying to God, and saying "God, if this is not the path that you want for me just let me know….just give me a sign please, so that I can do Your will". So I sat at the computer, took the test, clicked submit, and did not pass again, and it was only by two points. I don't think God could have made it much clearer for me.
Well, now what am I suppose to do God? I know this isn't your will for me, and that's fine, but what is it that you want me to do? Not long after, my church decided to take a mission trip to the Dominican Republic to do vacation bible school at a church in Santo Domingo. Of course I had to go, and so I did. Going into the trip I had a gut feeling that God was going to show His path for me, but I had no idea it would be so vivid. The last night of the trip we were placing our hands on some children and praying for them, and that is when I heard God speak to me as clear as day. I heard Him say "Skylar, this is the path that I've chosen for you".
How crazy it is to look back and see the path that God has been paving for me this entire time, so that when I finally answered to His calling I would be prepared, willing, and able to do whatever it is to glorify His kingdom! I always told my mother after a mission trip that if all else failed I could become a missionary…..God sure does have a funny sense of humor!
