Hi everyone! I’m sorry it’s been a minute since I’ve shared any updates, but a lot has been going on this past month. First off, I have officially met my JULY fundraising goal, which I am so so excited about! This month of fundraising has been so much fun and it has warmed my heart to see so many people that I love show out for my events.
My fundraiser on April 17 was at Cantina Tortilla Grill here in Birmingham. So many precious people enjoyed tacos, queso, margaritas and more all while supporting my cause. It was so joyful seeing so many of my friends that believe in my mission and I am so grateful for the time they took out of their day to contribute to my cause.
My second fundraiser of the month was on April 22 and it was a dance workout class that my coworkers and I have attended before and always enjoy. I am very passionate about dancing and I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who also really love to dance, so it was an extremely fun night shaking our booties all while raising money for The World Race!
The next update I have to share is something I have had a little bit of a hard time figuring out how to explain without seeming petty or trivial, but it’s something that blows my mind and brings me back to the truth that God does have a plan for everything.
Between the months of August and February, I was in this very random season of dating. It was an exciting, yet extremely discouraging time for me. I had just come out of a 3 year relationship a few months before, so I thought The Lord was showing me that I could be wanted and that there was better for me. I had a great time meeting people and really getting to know men who are now dear friends, but there were just a few who continued to pursue me during those months. As time would go on with some of these suitors, it became more and more clear to them that I was actually serious about my relationship with Jesus Christ. This realization is when it would be decided that this was too hard or they weren’t going to get what they came for, which ultimately ended in disappointment for me.
So, nothing came out of this season (or so I thought) and for awhile I was questioning God. “What was the point in this?” “Why did this even have to happen?” Then the questions got personal. “Why am I not good enough?” “What’s wrong with ME?” I was really angry. I didn’t want to waste mine or anybody else’s time, so what was the point in bringing any of these people and situations into my life?
One specific encounter I want to share happened in January. Around this time I was extremely discouraged and swore I was going on a dating sabbatical. I broke my sabbatical not long after (I’m rolling my eyes as I type this) and went on a date with a guy I didn’t know super well. We seemed to be having a good time until we started discussing the things that were most important to us. He was telling me how his career was his #1 priority and that’s what he mainly focused on. He then asked me what was most important to me and I’m ashamed to admit that I really hesitated when I thought about the truth. I knew this would not go anywhere if I was honest with him, but I also knew I would walk away that night ashamed and regretting that I denied Jesus. So, I told him that Jesus Christ was the most important thing to me and furthering my relationship with Him was my #1 priority. It was kind of awkward after that, but there was polite conversation for a bit and then we parted ways. As you can guess, there wasn’t a second date.
It took time, but the disappointment of those months became distant memories and I really started focusing on the mission ahead. Instead of continuing to ask God “Why?” I began proclaiming truths over my life. I began to pray for every single one of those men by name and still do so every day. At first I felt kind of stupid, but throughout this past year I have been shown just how powerful prayer really is for all parties involved.
On April 2 I received a message from the guy I went on a date with in January. He told me that telling him that Jesus was the most important thing in my life really “rocked his thinking” and that it caused him to reevaluate some things in his life. He thanked me for being honest with him. He said it really stuck with him and that he thinks about it almost every day.
WHAT? Him sharing that with me out of nowhere blew my mind. That right there made the entire season of discouragement all worth it for me. To have my sharing what Jesus means to me affect someone and change things for them- that is why I was put on this earth. That is why we are ALL put on this earth. To share the Good News. To be unashamed of the Gospel. To fulfill the calling that God has placed before us.
What if I had never said anything? I’m not sorry at all for telling anyone about my relationship with Christ and I can only hope it stirs something in their heart. I trust that God’s got the rest.
My hope is that this story is encouraging to you. Do not be ashamed or scared to talk about Jesus! Do not worry about being disliked or denied! How much do we have to hate someone to not tell them the greatest news EVER? Prayer is so powerful and God works in THE most amazing ways!
I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:6
Prayer Requests
- That the Gospel will reach the ends of the earth.
- My team and that we may be on fire to share the Good News openly and unashamedly while in the States and overseas.
- Callan Kreidel is a senior at Samford who was recently diagnosed with Mediastinum B cell Lymphoma. She has a long journey ahead of her, so please pray for strength, healing and restoration. You can read more from Callan here.
Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and prayers. To Him be ALL the glory!
