Yes Lord, send me...

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Moses said to the Lord, "Oh Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." The Lord said to him, "Who gave a person their mouth? ...Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
~ Exodus 4: 10-12

Yesterday I spent time with several youth participating in a week-long mission camp in the area.  The youth are visiting different locations each day.  One day they were assisting at a senior living center, the next, at a thrift store that benefits local ministries, and yesterday, at a community food pantry.

It's a great way for the youth to get a hands-on experience helping at a variety of places, and to help a number of people.

At each location they have been able to talk with the people they are helping, learn about their circumstances, and what brought them to the place where they now are.  

Life narratives are important.  We each have a story to tell, and for some, when they finally find someone who wants to listen, then that story becomes like a sounding board.  Allowing questions to be asked, and for possible answers to be thought out.

I spent time talking with a colleague yesterday and she was sharing how her life had somewhat prepared her for her present role.  We both found ourselves laughing when we realized that nearly all of us have answered God, "Really?" at some point.

Even Moses wanted to provide God with a list of options when called to deliver the Hebrew people out of Egypt.  

It's so true.  Even I can remember a time when I just knew that God wanted me to be the one to do something, and I found every reason not to.  I had been praying for God to reveal God's plan for me in my life.  I had recently been visiting my grandparents in another state and "happened" to run into friends who shared about a job opening in Wyoming where they were now living, and I just remember thinking, "I don't know a thing about Wyoming."  It was a "thank you, but no thank you," moment.

I just remember thinking how crazy that would be to leave Indiana for Wyoming, but had really wanted a change.  I thought about the idea of moving all the way home from my trip.  "Lord, really?"

When I went to the post office to pick up my mail that I had held while away, on top of the pile was a brochure, "Travel to Wyoming this Summer... A guide to places and things to do!"

The funny thing?  It was not addressed to me, it was simply addressed to OCCUPANT.

I took that as a sign.  Why not?  Oh, I still prayed about it, talked to my family about the offer, and then of course, my friends, who in a few weeks welcomed me and my carload of things into their home, as I began this next chapter of my life.

So many of us respond, "Really?" when we are reminded that so many people's first response was, "Yes Lord, send me."

Something for all of us to think about...

Stay in God's grip!

​G. Todd Williams (c) 2017

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Dear Lord, I know that I don't always understand that plans that You have for me and my life, but when they are revealed, helped me to say "Yes."  Amen.

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