Witness: How has
God changed my life this Lenten Season.
The heart we received at the Ash Wednesday service has been a wonderful and constant reminder of Wellspring’s Lenten theme, “Transforming Our Hearts.” Mine resides in a shell we received here several months ago. The shell reminds me of a foundation, God’s home. It was miraculously formed in the deep. The heart reminds me of life and creation, always changing, with many facets and images.
Tim asked me to spend a few moments describing my Lenten story. The ups. The downs. How has God worked in my life to change me despite my resistance? Have I listened with my heart to make way for new life and hope? To let go of the things that distract me from living a full life in Christ and to face Christ’s suffering and pain as my own to receive God’s grace.
Upon reflection, I see mixed results.
I’ve made a conscious effort to be more patient and tolerant of family and friends who don’t always see things the way I do. I’ve tried to approach long put-off projects one at a time without getting distracted. If I think of someone I care about whom I haven’t spoken with recently, I reach out to them instead of procrastinating and regretting my lack of action.
On the other hand, I haven’t shed the ten pounds I had determined to lose or ratcheted up my daily exercises.
I want to share with you a recent experience, a difficult time during which I struggled and sought God’s will, asking God to lead me to a right decision.
For the past two years, I have worked as a counselor for women and children who are survivors of domestic violence. I love my work and have a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction helping clients begin to put the pieces of their lives together. However, recent changes at my workplace prompted me to reevaluate my position.
I felt conflicted.
On the one hand, my clients seemed to be making progress and resolving some of the serious issues they faced. I was well respected and liked by my colleagues. Yet I felt increasingly uneasy and uncomfortable, pulled in opposite directions. Under pressure to make a change before I was ready.
The signs to leave became clear and I resigned my job in January. When people would congratulate me in my “retirement,” I smiled, thanked them but didn’t really see myself in that role, not just yet. Although I was eager to jump into a number of long put-off projects at home, I was filled with sadness and disappointment. And grieving the letting go of doing something I simply love doing…working with people in the counseling setting.
To my surprise and amazement, since my resignation, I’ve been approached by several friends…all unsolicited…with ideas they’ve had about future professional opportunities for me covering the life span: Babies to the elderly.
I’ I’m encouraged and touched by their interest in me. I am listening and open to whatever lies ahead. I believe that God used others to teach and bless me, to remind me that when one door is closed, the Lord will open another. I trust that the Holy Spirit will lead me to a new way to share the passion and skills God has given me as a caring helper and counselor.
Has my heart been transformed? You bet. I truly believe that God’s greatest work is accomplished in times of darkness, a lesson repeated in my life many times.
As I write this, my heart is resting in its shell, reflecting the sunlight. A new and clearer image is emerging, that of open arms, or is it the cross beckoning you and me.
I want to end with Paul’s words in his second letter to the
“AND WE, WITH UNVEILED FACES, SEEING THE GLORY OF THE LORD AS THOUGH REFLECTED IN A MIRROR, ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE; FOR THIS COMES FROM THE LORD, THE SPIRIT.”
Have a blest and wonderful Holy Week leading up to Easter.
Presented by Christine Spence
Wellspring United
1 April 2007