I went to school like other children. I went to college. I looked for a job and was fortunate to find one. I got married and had two children. Got divorced, raise beautiful daughters. My life has been an ordinary life. “What could be extraordinary about our ordinary lives? The love of Jesus Christ that enfolds us is extraordinary. Our experience of being born again in Christ is extraordinary. The countless blessings that Christ showers upon us make our lives extraordinary. Christ’s care for our daily needs and our anxieties is extraordinary. Christ’s grace and guidance, which lead us to achieve difficult goals, make life extraordinary. ” I read this daily devotional and thought how very true……thinking my life is ordinary but it’s the ordinary things that God transforms to make the impossible, possible and the often overlooked dreams, the most amazing realizations. That’s the world race for me, the realization of a dream. When I was a freshman in college, I saw a brochure about a summer mission project in South America . I remember thinking how awesome that would be to pack up my cares and woes, leave them behind and follow in Christ footsteps. I also remember being afraid of the fundraising and even more afraid of telling my family and friends of my desire. “I want to be a missionary”, the echoes of those thoughts play through my mind as I prepare for the world race. However, I am not afraid of the fundraising or the thoughts of those around me; rather I am energized and exhilarated by the opportunity. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” “I have not given you a spirit of Fear” knowing these verses in my heart and not just my head now makes a difference. Living my ordinary life, laced with extraordinary people, events, and circumstances has led me to be who I am and where I am right now, today. Looking to the Father with wide eyed anticipation, “What’s next? “What would you have me do?” I will certainly miss my jr. church children and the creative ministry team, I pray God continues to guide their lives and guard their hearts; they brighten my life with their smiles, energy and questions. I pray Jesus life impacts them through me in a way that transforms not only them but others they will meet. They know I love them. My own, daughters will be off, one to college and the other in a teaching career, spreading their wings and testing flight in the world, much like me, independent of each other but very dependent on the Lord, May the Lord under gird your wings. Though, we may be apart in miles, we are always close in heart and spirit. As when Jesus turned the water into wine, when we welcome Christ into our ordinary lives, he transforms them with extraordinary love. I pray we live that extraordinary love every day of our ordinary lives! |
