The topic that I wanted to write about this week is one that is so awesome and it is the story of how I landed this job. I am so amazed and undeservingly blessed. God is good! I believe that every person on this Earth is called to do something wonderful for God; every person who believes in Him and has trusted in Him for salvation at a point in their life is called in some way to spread His word. I've learned that in order to fulfill that purpose in life, one must first go through some things; I sure have, but looking at my life as a whole, I can see that God has never left my side, instead He has been working behind the scenes the whole time. I have found that one cannot successfully run from God's calling for their life; there have been several indicators of my future that I failed to see at the time, but it is awesome how He uses the most little of circumstances to prepare one for the future He sees:
Indicator #1 : My Experience with WV Rehabilitation Services: I had a more than rough experience as a client in West Virginia's disability rehabilitation services program; they didn't provide any guidance or any form of emotional support during my college days. As a blogger and eventual virtual mentor of clients involved in Next Right Steps, I want to work hard to give as much support, guidance, and encouragement as I can. I'm looking forward to being able to counsel them and provide tutoring via video chat; I'm hoping to travel and meet them and their families as well. I would not have been able to do my job if it wasn't for the Rehab experience.
Indicator # 2: Experience with D.R.U.M.S: I loved being a part of Bridge Valley Community & Technical College; looking back, that time in my life played a huge role in preparing me for this. I was an active member of D.R.U.M.S (Disability Reliance Upon Mentoring Services); this was a disability advocacy club that a dear friend of mine started andwe worked hard to spread disability awareness around campus; it was a club where no one felt "different." I had so much fun.
Indicator #3: Renee Stringfellow: I will call her by name in this post just because she's awesome and I adore her; she taught a course I took called Introduction to Behavioral Health; (her program specialities included: autism, addictions, mental illnesses, physical disabilities, etc.) I only took it as an elective, and I was a completely different major, but I learned so much about how to deal with people who face challenges. I loved her class; she influenced my self awareness and personal advocacy and she never once used the word "disabled". I owe a thank you to her for showing me how to truly help and inspire clients.
Indicator #4: Saying No to my Gift, and Tryingto Create Happiness: Writing had always been a talent of mine and I enjoyed my English courses so much; teachers around me took notice of it, even as early as middle school. When I got to college, I had two separate professors absolutely beg me to pursue writing; Renee even asked me several times to join her program, but I wouldn't do it. I wanted to do what I had decided to do and that was it! I spent years switching majors and no matter what I did, I never was truly satisfied; I should have realized trying to run from God would only bring temporary happiness and lingering dysfunction into my life, and that He would eventually come looking for me.
Indicator #5: How God Got Me to Say "Yes": I fell into a very deep depression after college, and just about gave up any hope of ever being truly happy and at peace. I longed so much for the joy other Christians had; someone told me that nothing can happen outside of God's control, and that my relationship with Him was more important than any friendship on Earth; even being saved, I sadly couldn't understand at the time. I didn't feel well and everything seemed to be going wrong. I pondered over that statement for months, and one night I got on my knees and tearfully told God, "I can't do this", "I can't make it on my own", and told Him I would do whatever He wanted me to do. I had suffered for years with depression and somehow this time around I knew that I would not get better until I obeyed Him. I eventually went to the altar and rededicated my life to Him. I was so happy that night! A few weeks later, at my aunt's wedding reception, I got offered this job and I said "Yes!". The peace and happiness I feel in my heart when I wake up every morning is remarkable; even though I tried to run, I still ended up right where God wanted me.
"And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called, according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
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