Not What I Had in Mind
It’s Sunday afternoon right now as I’m writing this & I just need to brag on God a little bit.
You see, today was my first day back teaching the K4/K5 Sunday School class after a few month summer break of traveling & hosting my parents here on Guam.
I am not one who gravitates toward working with children, but you would never know it because I literally work with kids all the time. I taught K5 years ago (was not my plan), I help with K4/K5 children’s church now, & I also aide for 2nd grade (previously 1st grade for a few years). So, saying it isn’t something I would eagerly gravitate toward sounds pretty understandably unbelievable.
I feel like those actresses who play the same genre several times & then get pigeonholed there… they may WANT to branch out, but people automatically envision them playing those types of roles & so those are the ones they tend to be able to book. (Do I need to just not mention anything about my past of working with kids & see where I get placed in the future as a blank slate? Haha, maybe.)
But, I did pray & ask God to show me where He wanted me to serve, versus just shooting straight for what my preferences would be: ie. Discipleship, women’s ministry, maybe even young adults/teens. And God answered by just putting this I-can’t-ignore-it nudge on my heart to serve where I’m serving. And here I am.
It’s Healthy Sometimes Not Doing What Feels Most Comfortable
Anyway, because this isn’t exactly the ministry area I would have picked, sometimes I feel so out of my element & so out of my comfort zone, that I need to weekly take a deep breath & pray for a good attitude, the energy to get through it, & the words & wisdom to share with the kids so my teaching isn’t wasted.
I pray every Saturday night this way: “Lord, please help me to have a good attitude about getting up earlier tomorrow & help me have the right words to say to help them understand what I teach from Your Word. Give me the words & wisdom & please help me get through it. Give me a right attitude about it, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Years ago, back when we first lived on Guam, right after my hubs & I got married, there used to be adult Sunday school at our church & we were in the marriage & family class.
Our teacher had so many nuggets of wisdom to help us as a newly married couple hoping & fully expecting to have kids someday.
But one thing in particular that he taught stands out to me in regards to ministry. He would always say, “Don’t just volunteer where you feel comfortable & in something you feel already confident in… because what happens when you do that? You’re trusting in yourself, your know-how, your abilities… no. Instead, volunteer outside of your comfort zone, where you don’t feel you can do it… because then you’re not relying on yourself—you’re relying on HIM through each day of it. And when you rely on Him, you are letting Him work through you, in His strength, His wisdom, His guidance… & that is where true work can be done because you’re letting Him take the lead instead of yourself.”
What wise words!
Praying My Way Through It
And that’s my life these past few years—praying my way through every day of it because it is NOT what I would have chosen for myself. And honestly, it’s been WAY more rewarding getting to see HIM work through what I KNOW cannot come from ME.
And today was no different. It’s the start of a new school year, kids that are barely past THREE are now joining my class. Most of those who would have been my now K5ers (who know the rules & routines of our class & can help set the tone for the rest of the class) have moved or are just not back on island yet from summer travels… so hardly any of them know the rules & routines. Starting FRESH here.
That’s hard enough, but I had FIFTEEN kids today. FIFTEEN! I normally have no more than 8, maybe?
Then I had several kids who knew no boundaries or self-control. They were loud, all-over-the-place chaotic. (2 got in a fist fight!) Multiply that & pretty quickly the whole class can dissolve into chaos. It’s a LOT.
I’m Glad I Can Count on Him When I Can’t Count on Myself
But I went to God with it all last night in preparation for it. I prayed through it today. And the unnatural calm I felt today in the midst of all THAT was all Him.
It didn’t get to me. I took a deep breath, prayed silently, then handled each situation with calm, demonstrating how they are to handle each situation.
Not joining the chaos or trying to fight above it… but bringing them down to my calm instead.
And for the most part, it worked. I showed them respect & stayed calm. They mirrored & began to get how we do things in our class.
It was truly miraculous. I can’t believe how well I handled that because that is not my natural response to chaos (cue panic & frustration & get-me-out-of-here thoughts of desperation).
God had me. God helped me. God kept me centered & grounded.
Because I relied on Him & not me in it.
I’m SO glad I can count on Him when I can’t count on myself.
Don’t Fear Serving Him Where You Don’t Feel You’re Made for It
So, don’t fear being outside your comfort zone. Don’t fear what you’re not good at. Don’t just serve where it makes you feel comfortable.
Pray about it. Ask God to lead. Ask God to decide.
And trust Him to take the lead through it. His wisdom. His words. His guidance. His work through you.
He’s got you even when you don’t got you.
Trust Him! He’s got it.
Shine HOPE by turning to Him through the hard, when you’re completely out of your comfort zone & have no clue what you’re doing. He already knows. He’s got it. He will help as you call out to Him for it.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***
***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***
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August 2026 “Hope Mail”
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August Hope Mail includes the stunning Blue Sage Quartz Necklace, handcrafted by women in India earning a fair wage for their work. Featuring dyed quartz on a gold-tone adjuster chain, this necklace is perfect for everyday wear.
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