Start here.

Start Here.

For months I had been having visions of starting something.  For years actually. I could see it. I could taste it. I was growing more and more impatient.

I knew that there were lots and lots of women struggling just like me to find their place.

I had just been through a very trying time of feeling like I had lost, or was losing, my identity.  It lasted longer than I would have liked, but through the process, I felt awakened to the suffering of other women. We all face challenges maintaining our identity because of all the different hats we wear.  Coming through the experience, I felt called to take what I had learned through the process and reach out to others that may be struggling.  I was a woman with a mission burning inside of me, and I was ready to go out and change the world. 

But instead, I was working as a Marketing Director for my husband's business.  I knew he needed me there, but I could feel myself itching to move on and start living out what I now believed was my "calling."  I became very frustrated.  I didn't understand why I felt so impassioned to reach out to women of all ages and walks of life and start this ministry when I was not free to do so.

On my way to work one day I vented my frustration to God.  The whining session sounded something like this:  "I just don't get it.  You've given me this passion, but I feel like my hands are tied. I just wanted to get started." And I felt Him challenge me by saying, "So start."

I started to list the reasons why I couldn't, and I heard that still small voice say, "Start right where you are."  I thought about it for a bit and realized that I was surrounded by women every day and that I could look for opportunities to encourage someone right where I was.  I adjusted my attitude and asked God to give me an opportunity that day to do what I believed He was calling me to do in my current situation.

When I got to work I overheard a conversation that a young girl that worked for us was having with our manager. The young worker was disrespectful, and I needed to step in.  I asked her if I could speak with her and gave her some gentle instruction about submitting to authority even if you don't agree with everything they say or do.  I told her God would honor that and it would serve her well to learn that lesson now.  (I had the liberty to do that because I knew that she was a believer and was striving to live by biblical principles.)

She didn't looked thrilled with me, but before I left that afternoon, she asked if she could speak with me.

She shyly said something to this effect, "Every time I am around you, I feel like I learn something.  Do you think it would be possible for us to meet outside of work for coffee every now and then just to talk?"

That was the day I learned the "Start Here" principle. No title. No logo. No fanfare. I just needed to start.

Can you relate?  Are you there right now?  I'd love to hear your story! 

Feel free to leave a comment!