Just last night, I had the most crazy thought that people might actually read my blog and how boring that must be because I NEVER post anything! The whole reason I originally created this blog was to 1)stay current with family and friends back home and 2) to share what God has been doing in my life. I have to admit that I pretty much have horribly failed at both of these goals. In effort to get a real start on this whole blogging thing, I decided that I would add a post today, but there is no way that I can go back and share all that has been going on in the past few months...
So, what has God been teaching me? God has been opening my eyes to see needs all around me. I go calling every Thursday evening with Ankeny Baptsit Church and see so many poeple who are happy and mostly content with life as they know it, yet they have no hope of anything beyond this life. Many have no answer to our question "What did Jesus teach on how a person gets to Heaven" or if they do have an answer, its all based on works. So. Sad. Ankney is seen as a good community, which it is. Its full of generally good people, but people who are lost. People who are wandering around in the darkness of this world. People who are too busy to think about God.
The second thing that I have seen is the need in churches. I have seen upfront in the past two weeks just how much I can do in a church. You hear about people who just attend services and don't give to the church and I never thought of myself to be one of them. I mean, I'm involved, right? I help in AWANA, sing in choir, go calling, help in the nursery or children's church or sunday school when asked etc, but how often to I put aside my "extra" time to help out around church? Like church work day? I chose to sleep in instead of going to help out. Another thing I have seen a couple of times now is how much just one person can do in a small church. I dob't know about you, but my first thought of attending a church where the average attendance is around 20 doesn't seem too appealing. Yet, maybe that is what God would like me to do. Think about it. There are churches that small around Iowa, even right here in DesMoines of all places, that I could attend and give my time and effort to help out. How exciting it would be to see a church like that grow...yet, would I be able to stick it out if there was no extreme growth? And then presentations in chapel with the Baptist Chruch Planters. I lOve to work with my hands. L.O.V.E. it! How fun would that be to join up with a team and build a church then go around and invite people to attend, plan events and just start out a new church plant! AMAZING!
Yet another need I see is with the teens. So many teens who are wandering around in this world looking for entertainment and purpose to life. Even Christians who are staisfied in their walk. I am loving my counseling and womens ministry classes here at Faith and I know that all of this stuff I am learning is extrememly useful and practical. I have a pretty good relationship with many teens and on occasion have had the wonderful opportunity to counsel several girls. It has been a great challenge yet a wonderful experience as we both have grown through these trials and difficult circumstances.
But my desire still remains. For about 6 years now, when people would ask what my plans are in life, I would simply tell them that I didn't know. I wanted to be in full time chirstian service somehow, somewhere, but didn't know where God was leading. However, deep down, my thoughts were always as a pastor's wife. Now any of you who know me, know that I am not one who enjoys teaching or many things that a pastor's wife would be called on to do, yet this is what I had envisioned for myself. God has been teaching me in sevearl steps to surrender my life, my plans, my friends and most recently, my family to Him. I have no idea what the future may hold, but I know that whatever and wherever God wants me, He will clear the path for it all to happen. Obviously if I am to be a pastor's wife, there has to be a pastor for me to marry. I have been in one failed relationship that God taught me so much through. I had high hopes, but God had other plans and I am finally, truly ok with that. Such a wonderful thing it is to obey God! The result is His perfect peace and complete joy beyond anything I can begin to describe for you.
So, to cap off all my crazy ramblings, I know God is working in my life. I have a burden for people. A burden for the lost and the saved. A burden for teens and adults (I do have a burden for children as well, its just not nearly as strong...yet) and I still have no idea where God is leading, but that is ok. He knows that if I am given too many steps ahead I will take the plans and run with them and insert all my own things into His plan...and that is never good. => So, my friends (if any of you even read this :D ) I would ask that you pray with me as I seek to wait on God and that while I wait, I will do all that I can to serve Him every moment of every day.
Hope you have a great Monday and remember what a powerful God we have the privilege to serve!!!!!
-berta
(Think this is long? I didn't even touch on the burden I have for the boys and girls in Juvenile Homes in Eldora and Toledo! or many other things!!)
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