When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up ….

How many times do kids say that through their lives? They come up with some creative ideas for their future based on their latest movie hero, sports figure, mentor, or some random idea that flies through their heads.

Early on, I wanted to be a cowgirl like Dale Evans. Mostly I liked her outfit and her guns. In high school, I wanted to be a newspaper reporter. I figured I had the nosy personality to fit the job. Huh! We see how that turned out. In my maturity, my desire has been to be sophisticated. There is a definite disconnect between wishing and reality!

Lately, I’ve encountered some really interesting ladies who have had unusual and interesting careers. During Bible School, I met a young lady, April Ward, who is a certified electrician! Is that cool or what? After her kids got in school, she got the necessary training, joined her husband in his electrical business, and worked diligently to prove to the male dominated construction industry that she could hold her own.

There are those like Heather Adams who run her husband’s business, Cody Adams Plumbing, from behind the scenes. We tease Cody that she is the boss of the crew, and indeed, she often accurately diagnoses the plumbing problem before she sends Cody out on a job! We always tell him that whatever tip we give goes to her. He lets us know it all goes to her anyway! What a neat couple!

I worked with Whitney Rawlins during Kids’ Camp. She used to make molds for children’s prosthetics, and is now on the business end to make sure children get what they need. Gifted and caring, for sure!

I recently met a woman about my age who had been an over the road truck driver. Before that, she ran a grader at a disposal facility. Sigh, I always wanted to drive heavy equipment, but with my driving skills … Mercy! I can’t even imagine the chaos I would create!

I have been meditating – aka worrying over – a verse that came up both in my daily Bible study and on the Scripture of the Day that is the page that comes up when I first open my computer.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Here are my thoughts.

#1 – It is great to consider that we are important to God. Whether we are ugly or drop dead gorgeous, we are special to God. Being called His masterpiece should be an encouragement to the gloomiest heart!

#2 – The verses earlier talk about the gifts of mercy and grace that we cannot earn, but we can freely receive from the hand of God. Who doesn’t like something free? Especially something so divine as God’s Presence in our lives now and for eternity!

#3 – It’s the end of the verse where I bog down. I know our purpose in life is to do good things to show others God’s love. My problem is that He planned my life long ago, and I’m sure I haven’t done what He intended. What career would I have chosen if I had been in God’s perfect will? I wish I had a hand written to-do list from God every day that states very clearly what I am to do for Him moment by moment.

I’ll let you know if I ever figure that last bit out. Until then, I’ll keep trying to figure out what to be when I grow up.

Blessings

KB