We each create our stories as we live our lives; we do this through every choice we make and every action we take. The storyline twists and turns, doubles back and leaps forward through time, but hopefully holds a relatively straight trajectory. My choices led me to faith in God, teaching art, and raising a family—all choices—I didn’t receive a “calling” from God until 2017, when I was 50+ years old.

Run a Prayer Center, was my immediate answer to our pastor’s question: “What’s God called your heart to?” All of me said, YES! But, what was it to look like? What did God have in mind? I was an elementary art teacher; I didn’t have time or money!

It took a few years to realize God wasn’t asking me for the vision, and only to be willing. I was trying to do God’s will for Him, and I had to reach the end of myself. If you disagree with God, save yourself some time; change your mind early because He doesn’t change His! I walked six long years through a dark night of the soul—not because I sinned or disobeyed, quite the opposite actually! When I did reach the end of myself, He gave no condemnation and only scooped me up as a limp rag in His strong arms and said—

“It’s going to be more beautiful than you can imagine, and I’m going to do it.”

The prayer center is rolling and is nothing like I imagined. Even better, I didn’t do anything other than abide in Him. He pulled out the gifts He planted in me long ago to simply let me be who He created me to be!