Immediately I am transported back to the news studio. I remember this day, this moment, clear as day. As if it was yesterday. One moment I was on the fast track towards a career in broadcast journalism, the next moment I was saying "yes" to God's call on my life to go into ministry.
Storytime...I was in the midst of a great internship at FOX 5 DC in Washington, D.C. Anyone who knows me well most likely has heard my many tales of my D.C. adventures. How it was the time of my college life. I was SO happy. Which included my journalism classes at American University, and my internship at FOX 5 DC. There was no ounce of me that was unhappy; however, there was a part of my soul that was unsettled. At my core as I was experiencing my time at Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church, discovering who I was, and more, I was feeling an unsettling nudge in my soul that God wanted more. In the middle of the newsroom on that October Friday, 2014, I finished the thought to say "yes" to a life of ministry.
Now, this post is not to rehash my ministry call story. I've shared that before a number of times. No, this is to point to where God has to lead me. The other day I sat down map out the rest of my classes for seminary. Ironically, the end of this semester will mark my halfway point with seminary. If the last half goes by as quickly as the first half, I'll be done with seminary before I know it; graduating and heading towards ordained ministry. A fact which blows my mind.
You know, time is such a funny thing. It's almost this allusion that at differing points appears to slow down or speed up significantly. While it feels like yesterday when I first had the "ah-ha!" moment to answer my call to ministry, it also feels like forever ago. These past three years have brought about such changes.
Changes that will only continue. Yet, I chose today to pause and thank God for this odd and wondrous call. I am so thankful for where my saying "yes" has led me. I adore the people I am in ministry with. I appreciate the lessons seminary is giving me, both about myself and theologically. God is showing up in such incredible ways. A few days ago I paused because I realized how in God's plan I feel I am right now. God has been leading towards such a time as this. I am completely in my element, my stride, and at peace. I am where God has meant for me to be. Possibly more so than ever before in my life. Or at least I am more aware of it than ever before.
Today, therefore, I am thankful. I am thankful for this call, with all its joys and messiness. I am thankful for the people who are walking this journey with me. I am thankful for those who use to walk with me, whose season has since ended. Endings are sad, but they bring about, I have found enlightenment. It hurts to say goodbye or see someone's role in your life change, but you wouldn't change a thing because it's led you to where you are now; which is a huge lesson I have learned. I am thankful for seminary, my friends there, and all the ways it challenges me. I am thankful for the church I call home. I am thankful today. I am so very thankful.
This Church Mouse signs off for now.
