BIG PICTURE DIRECTION

I must be a stubborn creature. When I started this study in 2007, I was struggling with problems I still have today. I seem to be making the same mistakes. Will I ever learn and grow?

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit.
There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
There are different kinds of working, but the same God
works all of them in all men." 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Sometimes I feel incapable - but it is these times that I remember, "When you step into God's plan, when you are simply a vessel that God can use to accomplish His work, He provides the energy and the means." God can do His work through you, even when we don't understand why. All He asks of us is OBEDIANCE.

If I were to die tomorrow, I would want to be remembered as a woman who gave her all - endeavouring to follow God's will. That I cared for His children and I loved my family. I feel passionate about God's Word. I love reading and writing and sharing what I learn with others.

As I teacher I have wanted my students to see the special people God wants them to be - to reach their full potential as learners. I want them to be loved and to become people who care for others. I want them to feel confident in their gifts and in reaching their dreams. Of course, without God as part of the equation, they cannot do these things - so I want them to become His children.

Back in 1979, when I was leaving school, God told me I was to be his `seed planter'. I later realized that this meant marrying a soldier and becoming an Army wife. Moving around to many different places, becoming a part of communities and Church families for only a short time. Planting seeds of love and learning - then moving on. Often, never seeing the fruits of my labours.

Together Mark and I became Foster Parents, Youth Group and Kid's Club Leaders, Church deacons and of course the most of important of all, parents to our own wonderful son, Aaron. This was probably the hardest task of all. We were encouragers to single parents, other Army wives and soldiers and their families.

In 1996, Mark decided to leave the Army and I was accepted at Griffith University in Brisbane. Mark went to to drive a Bus and I started my `teaching career'. Together we continued our `seed planting'.

Now it is 2011. Mark is still driving buses and I am out of work - a housewife again, but no longer a mother. But there are still those `seeds' to plant. Where and how - only our loving Father knows; but as my good mate Max always reminds me, "God is not trying to keep secrets from you. He wants to direct you into His will, to accomplish His work. Understanding who God wants you to be is a vital part of becoming a vessel God can use."

I WILL DO MORE

I will do more than belong, I will PARTICIPATE.
I will do more than help, I will CARE.
I will do more than believe, I will PRACTICE.
I will do more than be fair, I will be KIND.
I will do more than forgive, I will LOVE.
I will do more than earn, I will ENRICH.
I will do more than teach, I will SERVE.
I will do more than live, I will GROW.
I will do more than be friendly, I will be a FRIEND.
I will do more than just be a Christian,
I will LIVE LIKE ONE.

St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Pennslvania.