Trail of Life

So we are all on the trail of life…what does yours look like?  Mine has and continues to be full of surprises.  Last October, I started working with a local outreach helping to lead an after school program for under privileged kids.  For two months, I went every afternoon to help with homework, play games, mentor, and walk with several children and youth down their own trail.  I loved it and saw such transformation!  But then in December, due to financial strains, I had to take on a part-time job while only going to the program twice a week.  I didn’t understand.  Why was God taking me away from what I loved to do (working with kids and with LWI) to something boring (working at a recycling plant)?

The first day at the recycling plant, I began to understand.  In all, I work with about 10 other men (3 who speak English and the others speak only Spanish so I have gotten some practice in) who as the days passed by began to share with me their stories  Two were recently out of prison and recovering from drug/alcohol abuse, another was a new father, and another had many personal issues and hurts he was battling.  I found myself in the midst of a great deal of pain and turmoil with men needing someone to listen to and walk with. Who would have thought?

So in the midst of having a new baby, starting a new job in January (the recycling plant), teaching part-time, working as the International Coordinator, the Lord was using me to bring peace and healing to the hearts and lives of these men through His word and Spirit.  No, it’s not in the jungles of Colombia or the mountains of Nepal but in the industrial part of Fresno that these lives are changing.  And there lies the beauty.  No matter where we may be , all we have to do is listen to find someone who needs us.  It has been such a joyful privilege to see what a few kind words and listening ears can bring.  Like I said, the road of life continues to bring unexpected twists and turns.  Many times I think it much like traveling through a foggy valley on the way to the top of a mountain.  You can see just enough ahead of you to stay on the path but you don’t realize the true beauty of what you have gone through until you get to the top.  At the peak we can truly appreciate how amazing the trail has been.

And for any of you moms out there, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

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