When I Grow Up

Sometimes, in speaking with my children or others, I say, “When I grow up...”  I think most recently, I commented that when I grow up I want to go to Greece.  These comments tend to evoke blank stares and confused looks.  It could be the white hair at my temples or my outstretched reading arm causing the confusion.  I’ve said, “When I grow up, I want to be a writer…a chef…a gardener…a professional traveler,” and several other things.  The realization that I have worked two-thirds of my years towards retirement has now set in and I frequently think of what I will do…when I grow up! 
 
I have two very good friends who are about to begin new chapters in their lives.  One has been granted a promotion, and the other is going back to school, full time.  My husband is also about to start a new chapter.  When we met he told me he always wanted to be a teacher.  When he turned 50 years-old, he said, he supposed it was time to accept that there are some dreams we have that were just not in God’s plan.  He is absolutely right!  There are some dreams and plans we make, as humans, that are not in God’s plan for our lives.  There are also some dreams and plans we make that are in God’s plan, but in God’s time.  Last week he was offered a teaching position.  At age 50.7, he will become a teacher.  He will be teaching four different levels of Logistics & Distribution at our school district’s Applied Technology Center. 
 
We can speculate what we will be when we grow up, but we do not know.  We must  study and pray, following the lead of the Holy Spirit.  We must be obedient even when it means moving beyond our comfort zone.  In the Romans 12, Paul advises, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.  For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” 
 
As we live our lives we must stay humble, giving praise and honor to God for all that is good.  We must remember that we are all members of the body of Christ, each with different talents and gifts.  We must honor the gifts of others without belittling or teasing, but building them up for God’s glory.  Finally, with our gifts, we should use them to the best of our ability to glorify God.  Whether you are just beginning your career, well into it, or thinking about what you will be when you grow up, do it for the glory of God.  



Thank you for reading!
Be blessed this week and always!
Please continue to pray for our students, and teachers!
Kim

Copyright 2018 by Kimberly G. Anderson