Responding Obediently to God’s Nudges.

Inspiring entry Jennifer asked me to post for her written on February 4th…Blessings.  Lisa

What is this all about? Are we actually making impact? Can we quantify results? And what’s up with all of that stuff?!

My first thought is obedience to the incredible passion God has crushed my heart with.  I’m a fairly normal mom who works hard, enjoys an occasional pedicure, drinks coffee with almond milk, likes my sporty car with the top down and loves my kids and my husband. I have no need to inflict inconvenience on myself.  I have found that while I love the life I have, a passion was birthed inside me for a village.  Little by little and through obedience; one step at a time.  I believe we are all a bit ordinary with an extraordinary God nudging us for his purpose and our own growth.  It’s incredible how my desires have shifted with that God infused passion.

Measurable is all relative.  I know I’m not who I was three years ago.  I know the children in the village, primarily our Bright Spots, are getting healthier, have more confidence and are being exposed to opportunity for a hope and a future.  The measuring stick that shows delight on children’s faces and has replaced a dark look of lack and desperation is incredibly valuable.  How can we truly know in a human sense know what the ultimate long term value will be?  This is where obedience and doing the best we feel inspired to do by God is our hope and motivation.  I believe our children and families will be a lighthouse for all eternity.  The kids are smart enough to be teachers and nurses and pastors and farmers who share with others.  Our gifts of encouragement and meeting some physical needs may just be what God uses to rock a village and pull the hidden talent and creativity out.

What’s more is I don’t want to miss it.  What if I am wrong and I waste my time and money for sheer moments of love shared with the children?  Then we have happy kids for a moment and I miss some of my convenient life.  What if I’m right and God uses me and the friends around me to be a lighthouse for the world?  What if I missed the calling that was only a small nudge in my heart in the beginning…eternal measuring devices are not ours to always judge without a full picture now. “Now we see but a poor reflection, then we shall see face to face.”  I want to hear “well done good and faithful servant.”

And the stuff…well its all just tools.  Incredible tools for learning, opening minds to possibilities and another act of kindness because of obedience and only possible because others have decided to follow a nudge in their heart out of love.

So thankful to walk the journey.  How is He nudging you?  Can you quantify your results?