Vacation!

So, for the first time in a couple of years I am on vacation and actually get to travel! The GEMS Leadership Training Conference is this week in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We're leaving around 8:30 this morning. I really should be in bed now, but I've been busy packing, doing laundry, and just finding a place for everything before I go. I don't get back until Sunday sometime and I know I won't have a lot of time to prepare before going back to work Monday. I guess it's just my way of preparing for that inevitability and to clear some of my mind clutter too.

I have big hopes for this time away. It's a time away from my job, away from my house and away from my family. It should give me plenty of room for some much needed soul searching. I want, no. I need to find my calling. I need to find God's purpose for my life. I don't expect to have all the answers, I just want to feel like I'm on the right path and working towards the right goals. I'm tired of floundering through life. I know I have a great life in terms of an amazing husband, and three healthy, beautiful, unique children. There was a time I thought that was all I'd ever need, but I'm now finding there's still something missing. Some part of me that can't find peace until I am fulfilling a purpose greater than I am now.

Okay, well this post took a sorry turn for the dark and depressing! Sorry about that. I am actually quite excited about my trip and just wanted to take a few minutes to share where my head is at. If there's WiFi I may try and sneak in a blog post while I'm away. If not I'm sure I'll have plenty of stories to share when I return.

Have a great week!

March 14: Believing God (Chapter Four)

This post is part of the Balanced challenge with Tricia Goyer—and you can join, too!

What have you been called by God to do? Take a few minutes away from work and family to sit with your Bible and talk to God. Believe that God placed your dreams and passions in your heart. Find a verse that speaks to you about this, and post it today on your blog.

Good morning. Yesterday was super busy and I quite literally fell asleep while blogging around 11:30. I woke after midnight and tried to continue, but I just didn't have it in me. So, here I am refreshed, renewed and ready to give you a post meant for March 14th.

I loved this challenge. When I read the above challenge I immediately thought about following God's path. Especially, right now. In this time of my life I feel like I am following God's path for me. I haven't felt an inner peace like this before. Do I still need to spend more time in prayer and in the word? Absolutely. So, I'm not saying this as a perfect person, but as a very imperfect one.

What have you been called by God to do?
Here's what I know for sure. I know that looking back on my life I can see how it's molded me into the person I am today. Some of that was through decisions I made and a lot of it is through God working in my life behind the scenes.

For example, when I look back through my childhood I can see God sent God loving people into my life to introduce me to church. It may have been sporadic, but I think it helped give me a foundation for when I finally accepted Him in my life.

I have a lot of education and training in a variety of areas. I have wanted to be a journalist, a web designer, a supervisor, an addictions counselor. I have wanted to open up an internet café, a restaurant and a bar. I have been a cashier, a technical support specialist, a sandwich artist, a sub shop manager, a customer service rep. I am a wife and a mom. I currently work as a medical secretary.

My true calling in life?

That's to work with women as individuals. To be an advocate for her. To encourage her. To inspire her. There are so many women with little to no self-esteem; women who feel completely lost and broken. I've seen the difference between a broken woman and a confident woman who can love herself. A woman who loves herself can love on her family in a much stronger way than if she is hurting inside. The world could be a beautiful place with strong, confident, loving women.  

God has given me many gifts to use for his glory. I have the gift of observation - I can quickly pick up on it if someone is upset. I have the gift of building relationships. I meet women throughout my day and have these intimate conversations. I also have the gift of hugging. (I hold back when in a work environment) I am the hugger that hugs too long. I told you about my instinct to know when someone is upset. Well, I also know when to hold on just a little longer. It's hard for a broken woman to accept that hug. It's even harder for her to keep up her walls when I keep holding on. Every broken woman is looking for love. The love of others, the love of self, and she may not know it but the love of God.

I have a dream. A dream of starting my own business. A dream of inspiring women and encouraging women to accept their brokenness and learn to love themselves. I believe that God put this dream and this passion for helping on my heart. I believe that I will one day make a career out of helping women. I believe in God and the path that he has for me.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all tour ways submit to him, and he will makes your paths straight.  

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:3-8