It’s Whats In The Middle That Changes Lives…..

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young women.
I shared some personal stories about how God was making me brave, how we can all live lives that are courageous and how we can run the race God has called each one of us to run. I spoke openly, I spoke honestly and I spoke from the heart.

Now, if you know me at all, you will know that public speaking is not something that comes naturally to me. I get nervous, I get sweaty, I run to the loo every 5 minutes and I get overwhelmed at the thought of speaking in front of a group of people. God has helped me over the years, and I am way better than I use to be, but it is still something that gets me out of my comfort zone.

I had spent hours and hours of preparation leading up to it. Reading books, doing research, going over previous talks I had given on the subject, praying, and seeking God about His heart for these young women. I did everything I could to prepare myself so I could speak truth into their lives.

On the day I was nervous! I had felt good all week, but on the day, all the old fears came flooding back…..What if I said the wrong thing? What if I made a mistake? What if they didn’t like what I had to say? What if? What if? What if?

Breathe Kathy, just breathe!

I quietened my spirit, I breathed, I prayed and off I went!
We had a fantastic afternoon. The girls were excited and hungry for what I had to share. They laughed, they interacted and they all made notes. Each girl left at the end of the afternoon with the strength and courage to be who God has called her to be. She left knowing she can run the race set before her and that she doesn’t need to try and run anyone elses race! She left with a page full of God’s truths about herself and she left with the knowledge that she is loved beyond measure. What more could I ask for?

When the day was done and dusted, I was exhausted but I was happy. And as with everything I am learning through this Lent journey, it is the stuff that happens in the middle that makes the difference.

The fruit didn’t come in the before and afters, but in the middle. Sure my prepeartion was important, and it was great lying on the couch at the end of the day, but it was what happened in the middle with those girls that really matters. It was my obedience to step out of my comfort zone and walk through my fears, that brought freedom for the girls. It was my messy middle that helped them discover more of who God has called them to be.

It says in Joshua 1:5

“For I will be with you, as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you”

I love this verse so much. He is ALWAYS with us. No matter how messy it may look, no matter how far out of our comfort zone we are, and no matter what our “middle” looks like….He is always with us!

So what does your “middle” look like this week?
Where is it that you need to be reminded that God is with you and know that He will never leave you?

And remember, that no matter how messy our middle may seem, there is always the “after” to follow!