I remember early on, as a child, sensing that I had a purpose but not exactly understanding what it was or even that my purpose was related to a calling. After all, I was only 6 yrs. old at the time I began articulating my "sense of purpose" to my mother. As I got a couple years older and had more elementary schooling under my belt (at Leffingwell Christian School to be exact) I began reading the Bible on my own and attending an informal Bible study at my school. I felt so at home in the Scripture.....not that I understood it all but, rather, I felt a connection and great comfort as I held, read, and studied the Bible. And I began talking about what I was reading and feeling, both at school and at home. I was, at this point in my spiritual journey, a little pencil that needed much sharpening.
At the ripe old age of 11 I found myself, literally, in the presence of God. My family and I were in a horrific car accident......a drunk driver ran a red light and hit us on the passenger side. My mother and I, she in the passenger side in the front and me in the passenger side in the back, took the brunt of the impact and suffered life-threatening injuries. Our car rolled and landed upside down. An off-duty policeman who'd seen the accident rushed to help and pulled my unconscious, lifeless body out of the car. My lung had collapsed, my ribs had been broken and I wasn't breathing. He initiated CPR and I was rushed to the hospital. I was "in a coma" per the doctors for 2 days and the outlook was "guarded." Well, let me tell you that while my body may have been asleep my soul was more awake than it had ever been. I saw the brightest light.....and not like any light that I'd ever seen or have ever seen since. It was an awesome, comforting, majestic light that welcomed me in. I sensed that I was seeing a glimpse of heaven, and as I tried to take it all in I sensed that I was in God's presence. And I heard a voice saying, "It's not your time, I have more for you to do." I struggled with these words over the two days I was in God's presence, wanting so badly just be home with God but knowing that it was not my time. And all the while I was aware of what was going on in the hospital room where my body lay. My school principal, praying for me, my half-sister and my brother who were crying, and the many doctors and nurses going through the motions of caring for my little battered body. And so, it was during this "physical coma" that God was preparing my soul to be more than just a little pencil in His hand.....He was preparing me to become a well-used, well-worn pencil for Him. God, in his infinite wisdom, gave me the time I needed with Him to become ready to come back to my earthly family as a larger, more substantial pencil. When I emerged from the physical coma I remember all the commotion in the room and all the "thank you, doctor" comments that I heard. But I thanked God.
That incident marked the defining moment of my Christianity. While I didn't know what exactly God had in mind for me (which turned out to be many different acts of service to prepare me for my ultimate calling to teach), I did know that I had purpose, that God was real and that I needed to grow in my faith and keep my heart open to what He had in store.
Suffice it to say that the tapestry of my life, to this point, has been full of celebration, challenge, opportunity, adversity, laughter, tears, and most of all, service. God has called me throughout my life to serve in different ways: as a "little missionary" in my home and school beginning at age 11; as an academic mentor to classmates beginning in 4th grade; as a dietary aide in the hot, steamy kitchen of Marlinda Nursing Home in CA as part of my first real (paid) job at the age of 13; as a soldier in the United States Army; as a summer camp counselor and tireless volunteer for MDA over the last 10+ years; as a member of the hand bell choir in my church; as a finance/accounting professional in industry; and most recently as a manager, mentor, and role model to a department of 20 over the last 5 years at First Southwest Company in Dallas, TX.
The common thread throughout all experiences has been my role as a leader and teacher. Getting to know those you lead, understanding what motivates them collectively and as individuals, developing performance and training standards designed to challenge and grow them, implementing accountability for all (including me), and always striving to do better - - this is what makes me a leader, a teacher, and a well-seasoned pencil in God's hand.
That incident marked the defining moment of my Christianity. While I didn't know what exactly God had in mind for me (which turned out to be many different acts of service to prepare me for my ultimate calling to teach), I did know that I had purpose, that God was real and that I needed to grow in my faith and keep my heart open to what He had in store.
Suffice it to say that the tapestry of my life, to this point, has been full of celebration, challenge, opportunity, adversity, laughter, tears, and most of all, service. God has called me throughout my life to serve in different ways: as a "little missionary" in my home and school beginning at age 11; as an academic mentor to classmates beginning in 4th grade; as a dietary aide in the hot, steamy kitchen of Marlinda Nursing Home in CA as part of my first real (paid) job at the age of 13; as a soldier in the United States Army; as a summer camp counselor and tireless volunteer for MDA over the last 10+ years; as a member of the hand bell choir in my church; as a finance/accounting professional in industry; and most recently as a manager, mentor, and role model to a department of 20 over the last 5 years at First Southwest Company in Dallas, TX.
The common thread throughout all experiences has been my role as a leader and teacher. Getting to know those you lead, understanding what motivates them collectively and as individuals, developing performance and training standards designed to challenge and grow them, implementing accountability for all (including me), and always striving to do better - - this is what makes me a leader, a teacher, and a well-seasoned pencil in God's hand.
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