I don’t know about you, but I often waste a ridiculous amount of time pondering my “purpose” and “God’s Will” for me only to be slapped over the head with it when I least expect it. And I’m always like, “Duh!”

You might recall back in March that I attended the Behold Conference in Peoria, IL. It was most certainly a “spiritual spa day” as they advertised, but it was more than that for me. There I met some sweet women who took me in as one of their own. Though it might have only been a sweet gesture or mere coincidence, I believe it was the work of the Holy Spirit.

As the day progressed, I learned about some really neat opportunities for women’s ministry from my new friends. They gave me awesome ideas to take back with me to my own church.

Back home, I exchanged some e-mails with the Director of Faith Formation at my church, but nothing ever came to fruition. Most of this was lack of effort on my part. And life went on.

This summer, I talked in great detail with my sister about what I was really searching for within my parish. I want to be with other women in the parish and I want to be spiritually fed. As we were chatting about all of this, she said, “Leanne, I think you are really looking for a Women’s Ministry. Doesn’t your church have one?” In fact, it does not, which is surprising for as big and vibrant as it is.

She put in my head what was already in my heart. Perhaps I should create one. Perhaps I should have at least tried, but instead I let the opportunity and life pass me by.

Not long after that, the coordinator of the MOMS ministry I’m involved with invited me to a planning meeting to discuss the future of MOMS and how we might move forward to reach more people. Life was hectic and crazy and I completely forgot to attend.

Coincidentally (perhaps), I ran into her at the grocery store the very next day. She told me about the meeting and said she’d e-mail the details. She was very excited about the new direction and really wanted me to be a part of it.

I read the e-mail a few days later with chills.

“…It is clear that we are in need of more for our past participants.  So we decided to create a new ministry and call it the “Women’s Ministry.”

I mean, really. Could it be any more clear what God wants from me?

Well, yes it can, actually.

Before signing off on her e-mail she asked a simple, yet loaded question:

Are you being called to the “Women’s Ministry?”

Ahem. Yes, yes I am.

I finally answered His call and attended the second planning meeting last week. I am now officially part of the Women’s Ministry team as the coordinator of women’s studies (Bible, book, etc.), which if we really want to go full circle, is exactly what the ladies I met at the Behold conference suggested.

I’ve spent hours upon hours of my life the last few months discerning whether or not God wants me to go back to teaching. In the year I’ve been away from teaching, there’s been a gaping hole in my heart. I’ve felt the need and the desire to use my love for learning and leadership skills to create good in the world and to help others. As a mama at home all day long, I’ve yearned to connect with the outside world. I really, truly thought teaching was what He was asking of me, but it isn’t (at least not right now).

As the coordinator of women’s studies, I will use all of those talents that have been dormant in the past year to serve my church, but I’ll also have the opportunity to grow in my own faith, connect with like-minded women, and still be home for my children. It’s a win all around. Once I made the connection that this is how I’m supposed to be utilizing my time and talent, I finally felt at peace for the first time in a year.

I’m going to be bold here and presume that God has put something on your heart recently, too. No doubt, your story is different than mine. He’s not calling you to do what He’s calling me to do. But surely, you’ve heard Him whisper. Perhaps it was a passing thought. Or a conversation with a friend. Or a chance encounter.

How is He calling you to do good for Him? And are you listening?

Life happens when we answer God’s call. 

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