Have you ever taken on something and know right away you’re not the man or woman for the job? Have you volunteered for a task only to discover it’s way over your grade level? Have you stepped forward, wishing minutes later that you’d stayed hidden in the crowd?
This very thing happened to me a few weeks ago when I took on an officer’s position in a club I belong to. The minute I answered YES to the email request, the red flags went off in my mind at a fever’s pitch.
The dialogue to myself and those around me went something like this:
I can’t plan a contest in less than a month.
I have no idea what I am doing.
I have gotten myself into something way over my head-AGAIN!!
As you can see, the “I’s” had me tied up in knots. And, if that wasn’t bad enough—someone referred to my way of handling things as freaking out. Those two simple words stopped me dead in my tracks (thanks MS for the wake-up call).
Is that how people see me? WOW! That’s not the picture I wanted to paint. Instead, I wanted others to see me as one who trusted in the Lord for everything – big or small. I bowed my head and prayed:
Lord, I am scared spitless about this contest and all that goes with it. I’m not sure I can do this. You are going to have to HELP me or I’m going to sink big time.
Not the most eloquent prayer I’ve ever prayed but the moment I spoke those words the verses in Proverbs 3:5-6 seemed to wash over me. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Thank You, Lord, for the exact words I needed to hear to calm my feelings of inadequacy. I do need to TRUST in You and lean not on my own understanding. When I do, there's no doubt the contest (and my life) will be headed in the right direction.
Love ya!!!
nettie
