Many years ago when my daughter was young, we would spend Wednesday evenings at church for mid-week Sunday school. I would stay to help with her rather large preschool class—not really because I wanted to, but because the church was a bit of a drive from home and it was easier to stay.
One Wednesday, I received a call from the children’s ministry director. She said the teacher for the preschool class was sick and asked if I would teach the class that night. She probably explained what the lesson was for that night, but I don’t remember that part of the conversation. What I do remember is the panic I felt as I agreed to fill in.
Let me tell you, this was far outside of my comfort zone. So far that I don’t think I could even see it from the edge of my comfort zone.
I barely had enough patience for my one child, much less a room full of children. Did I mention this was a preschool class? A large preschool class—ages 2-5? Attention spans were all over the place, including mine.
As I hung up the phone wondering why I couldn’t think of an excuse to say no quick enough, I remembered something. Just the previous night I’d had a dream—a dream that this director called me just hours before the class and asked me to teach that night.
I hadn’t thought about the dream until that moment of stunned silence. I knew there was no way this was a coincidence. This was God preparing me for this challenge.
I distinctly remember the thought that gave me confidence that night. The thought I spoke aloud as I surrendered to Him.
God, if You think I can do this…then I must be able to do it.
After all, God knows better than I do. Was I nervous? Yes. Stressed out? Most likely. Looking forward to it? Probably not. And yet, it felt different. I had a confidence that didn’t come from me. It was from Him. God had the confidence I didn’t have, and when I chose to trust Him, His confidence covered me.
All afternoon, I reminded myself that God knew I could do this. What I thought didn’t matter. I knew He would be there with me. I don’t remember that night’s class at all, but I know I got through it. And I remember telling the director about the dream and seeing her look of awe.
As I look back, I realize now that it was the first time I can remember when I stepped forward in faith to do something I would never have volunteered to do. God wasn’t calling me to be a teacher. He was teaching me to trust Him and walk in faith. And when you follow Him once into the uncomfortable unknown, each time after that gets a little easier.
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I write to encourage women in their walk with Christ, but I am also wife, mother, writer, and blogger, as well as working in church ministry. Regularly I contribute at LifeLetter Cafe. Visit my website or follow me on social media!
Laura, what a call to which you walked. How beautiful that God gave you the dream the night before; with a moment in which to give an answer, you accepted with later moments of regret, yet God knew what He wanted for you and He knew He would be there with you. What a blessing to have learned such a powerful lesson. So thankful that you accepted and have taught me something important today. I want to walk with God and be obedient too.
Thank you Linda! It’s such a blessing to be able to share here. God bless!