"God will provide"

Besides "Get out of your mind and into your life", "God will provide" is my other favorite motto. It encompasses everything. What will I do with my life? What is my purpose? What should I do to find motivation? How do I be a better mother? How do I solve this particular problem? When will I find a good husband? How do I pay off all my debt? How will I finish school? And on and on and on....

When God answers our prayers in a way that we can actually recognize them...it's a powerful event. Sitting back and watching all the pieces of our lives fall into place like a giant Tetris game. Its at those moments that I realize just how powerful and all knowing God is. How one little event may not seem like much, and then down the road after a series of other seemingly unimportant and unconnected events, they all suddenly line up into a perfect combination that answers the prayers I've been saying for years... Aaaahh. God is good. :)

I'm being a bit vague I realize, and so to elaborate on my current life's adventures, I've been praying to know my purpose for quite some time... I've always known I wanted to work with kids. Be a teacher? No, that didn't work out. I needed a closer connection with children then standing in front of a chalk board. I'm way too introverted for that...plus, I hate public speaking...

So, nursing was God's answer for me... First, medical nursing with adults, just to figure out how to interact with someone intimately, but professionally. Then, off to child psych, where I learned how to work with TEENAGERS. Boy, talk about self therapy...I think I grew up fast that year... Any issues I had about having my own tough adolescence were quickly dealt with and healed!

Then, how to better my personal life. God allowed me the resources and support to finish school and to work on my house. I have had such a supportive group of family AND friends. I'm truly blessed.

And now, facing the next challenge in my mind...a crossroads. Do I go back to school for my nurse practitioner, or do I focus on making a difference here and now. I've wanted to start support groups in the community for kids dealing with mental health stress. I want to put the skills I have as a psych nurse to good use. And, I want to make a difference.

Peace Church has given me the opportunity to join others with the same dreams and goals. Sacred conversations on race issues. Lenten services talking about race, equality, and social activism. And now, with a unique opportunity to work with a woman who has taken the steps to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged, abused, and struggling kids, and she's invited me to join them on a regular basis for support and education groups.

I have to just say Amen! Praise God because in helping others, God has answered my prayers as well. I only hope now that I can live up to the expectations I have for myself.

I've set certain things in my life aside for now. Dating, traveling, home improvements. I set these things aside before I even knew what God had in store for me. I did so because I followed that calling within me. That calling that said, "Trust me. I will provide." And he has.

Dear God, Thank you for the light I feel inside me. I feel focused, fulfilled, and directed. I know that I'm not perfect and every day I struggle, but I trust that your plan for me is good. When I speak to kids, I trust that you will fill my head and my mouth with the words they need to hear. When I see a child needing a hug, I trust the Holy Spirit to fill me with courage to hug them. And when I am tired and worn, and I just want to be alone, you remind me that as a mother, I've been blessed with the gift of a son who needs my time, my love, and my encouragement. I pray you give me the strength to be a witness to the love of Jesus. AMEN!

Peace friends,
~Erica