There’s nothing remarkable about me. I grew up on a farm in southeast Nebraska. I experienced a typical childhood in the heartland, complete with fishing, selling sweet corn and playing with my cousins. My sister and I performed for the cows as Sonny and Cher on a regular basis.
I was the quiet girl who sat in the corner soaking in the conversations around her, the bookworm on the school bus, the wallflower at school dances. I watched other people live life, thinking I was nothing special.
But God thought differently. His Word ushered in a thousand promises I wanted to believe. I devoured my Bible and wrote verses in my journal and heard a consistent message that changed me.
You are chosen.
I was the quiet girl who sat in the corner soaking in the conversations around her, the bookworm on the school bus, the wallflower at school dances. I watched other people live life, thinking I was nothing special.
But God thought differently. His Word ushered in a thousand promises I wanted to believe. I devoured my Bible and wrote verses in my journal and heard a consistent message that changed me.
You are chosen.
“I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9-10
I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9-10
Though Nebraska is not “the ends of the earth” or even “the farthest corner,” as an introvert I felt I lived there sometimes. But God dared me to believe He had plans for me, that He could use someone from a teeny town called Hickman to do His will.
He dared me to believe I was chosen.
That knowledge empowered me and brought me out of my shell. I don’t sit in a corner and watch anymore. Now I’m leading Bible studies, speaking to groups of people, singing on a worship team, and spilling my guts on the page.
He dared me to believe I was chosen.
That knowledge empowered me and brought me out of my shell. I don’t sit in a corner and watch anymore. Now I’m leading Bible studies, speaking to groups of people, singing on a worship team, and spilling my guts on the page.
I’m living the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10 with a spectacular husband and the most entertaining kids ever. Life is not perfect or easy, for no one gets through life pain free, but no matter what happens, my status with God does not change.
I am chosen.
So I make it my mission to tell of His goodness, to point out His hand, even in the hardest of circumstances. I tell it like it is—the good, the bad, the silly, the sad--in hope that others might dare to believe too.
I’m nothing special and yet God chose me. What might He have in store for you?
I am chosen.
So I make it my mission to tell of His goodness, to point out His hand, even in the hardest of circumstances. I tell it like it is—the good, the bad, the silly, the sad--in hope that others might dare to believe too.
I’m nothing special and yet God chose me. What might He have in store for you?