Reading, Writing and Arithmetic have been generally known as the foundation of a good education. Reading has always been a challenge for me. In second grade I was placed, appropriately, in the “slow reading group. ” In spite of that stigma, I managed to read all the biographies in the respectably stocked elementary school library.
My handwriting is notoriously hard to read. Sometimes I can’t even read my own journal notes. I thank God I can now keep my grocery list typed on my phone.
Math, or arithmetic, I largely gave up on in middle school algebra class. The teacher took about 20 minutes to help me understand a key principle, and when I did, she declared to all present; “Light dawns over marble head.” That pretty much sealed my lack of confidence, or fear, of math. I have come out from under that cloud of accusation, all the while thanking God for calculators!
Why share all this?
As I write this today, I am sending the final edits of my book, A Little Drop of Love; Henrietta Mears, How She Helped Change a Generation and You Can Too, to my publisher. Yes, I have a publisher!
I am sitting here reflecting over my life and how I have come to this place.
I am full of gratitude, to the point of tears, to our Creator who knew me before I was born. This Creator has every hair on my head numbered and has carved me in the palm of His hand, promising to never let me go. This One placed me where I am, at this time in history, with the skill sets He has trained up in me. And this same God has held me, leading me through all the ups, downs, and turns of life, never giving up on me.
I am still a slow reader, but God is gifting me with the possibility to share some of how he works in the lives of His followers. One of the paradoxes of life with Jesus is that God’s ways are higher than all of ours, (Isaiah 55:8-9) is balanced with each of us Jesus followers having the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Henrietta Mears is one of the more extraordinary examples of someone who excelled in faithfully following Christ. Looking back on where I have been, I am in awe today. My heart is full. As a child, I don’t think I ever dreamed of being a published author. But before the beginning of time God placed that in me and has taken all this time to draw it out. God has honed a passion I couldn’t see as a child. I am humbled, and excited, and just a bit hesitant.
I will keep you posted.
In the meantime, is there a project, a dream or something God has placed in you? Maybe something you are hesitant about? Or maybe given up on? I believe God is inviting you to have that conversation with Him.
