In my life

Last week in church the pastor gave us the assignment to complete the following statement and be prepared to share our answers in church this week. "I believe God is working in my life because..."

This has been on my mind all week. First of all, I do believe that God is working in my life, and a myriad of things prove it to me over and over. But if I had to choose just one instance to share, I have no idea what that might be. Some of the things that stand out most to me are things I wouldn't necessarily want to stand up in church and share with everyone. Not that they aren't worth sharing, but they are just so private. And even though I know many in my church, I'm not the kind of person who gets personal with just anyone.

So, the dilemma persists. I could say generic things that many others could also say: good health, great family, loving and caring church, good job, ad infinitum. But I'm pretty certain that's not what the pastor meant.

I believe God is working in my life because...every time I look back I see how He has intervened in a way to keep me safe and away from potentially harmful or toxic situations...

I believe God is working in my life because...well...I just can't find any single stand-out event besides my whole life. I have felt this same lack of specifics when people want to hear my "conversion story." I don't have one. There was no strike of lightening or big reveal when I all of a sudden knew that I would walk with Jesus for the rest of my life. I've just always been walking. That simply.

When I was younger, I used to feel as if there was something missing in my Christian experience because I'd had no Damascus Road experience...until a classmate commented one day that I was lucky that I had always known Jesus, that He had always been important in my life. She did have a conversion story to tell, and she was grateful for it, but she thought it would have been wonderful to always have been in such a relationship.

Well, it is. I know that now. And I feel fortunate that I work in an environment where it's OK, even encouraged, to have open conversations with my students about their relationship with God, and where we can pray whenever we feel the need, silently or out loud, privately or corporately. And maybe that's the answer: I believe God is working in my life because He's given me the opportunity to work closely with young people and encourage their walk with God on a daily basis. It is the nicest work (although I sometimes think it is the hardest). And faith is strengthened each time I share it with others as we study and learn together.

Pictures are of this year's graduation weekend. The seniors asked me to give the Commencement Address, which was a real honor and privilege. I came to the school their first year there as kindergarteners. I have been to each of their graduations (K, 8th grade, and now senior), and I was their class sponsor for all four years of academy. We've been through a lot, including the 10-day mission trip to Peru. So we've had many conversations together, and prayed many prayers together.