It all began in June 2002: sitting under the canopy of a very old Oak Tree in the front yard of an old home-turned-coffee shop.
Ocracoke Coffee Shop, NC
The lessons poured forth from my heart through my pen to my ever-present journal.
Life lesson #3, I don’t need to create ministry or accept all that comes my way (sometimes I want to); I need to allow God to lead in ministry. AKA, I need to live INSIDE THE BOX. I’ve been pondering that last sentence ever since. Currently it sounds like, what does stewardship look like at this point in my journey? (Check out the first three Echoes posts from last month.)
For someone who loves ministry and who used to have a very narrow definition of ministry, at first this was not a very welcoming thought. It seemed so … well, constraining, so impossible until God began unpacking it for me.
Life lesson #1 (remember, Sue), My identity rests in who God created me to be. Although I didn’t often utter the thought, floating below the surface was the fear that my identity is defined by your picture of me; or at least what I thought your picture of me was. WRONG!!!
But I have a picture too. If you read between the brush strokes, you’ll glimpse my heart, the real me.
You might see a lady in front of a group of women teaching from the Bible. She has on a new outfit, her nails are done, and she captivates her audience helping them in their spiritual lives.
As the digital frame phased that picture out, the next came into view. This picture is a bit clearer. I’m sitting in a comfortable living room or perhaps around a kitchen table with my friends sipping mulled apple cider. (The flavors of fall are some of my favorites.) I’m leading a small group Bible study. The questions are engaging and the conversation lively. Together we’re hearing from God.
The digital pictures continue to scroll. Now Bill and I are at our dining room table shared with four other couples savoring dessert after a satisfying meal. I get up to re-fill coffee cups encouraging the conversation to continue. I enjoy hospitality.
Fast forward a few years and you’ll see Echoes of Grace added to my ministry picture pushing on the top of my box.
Echoes of Grace will turn 10 years old this year. Writing publicly began 10 years ago.
What does stewardship look like now?
I’m sensing that living inside the box God created in 2002 can no longer contain his purpose for me. Once again the box is expanding. Stay tuned.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,”
Jeremiah 29:11
As I sat praying over some decisions I’m making, God reminded me of the letter I wrote this week to those who have signed up to follow Echoes.
I realized the answer to my prayers might just rest in reviewing who God created me to be, using “I am _____ statements.
I think God was saying, Sue listen to yourself, what I’ve been saying.
If I’m not making sense … perhaps you don’t receive my devotional note. You just might want to sign up to follow Echoes or let me know and I’ll sign you up.