Are You Sure You've Got the Right Person?

It's amazing how God chooses to use His people to accomplish His purposes. I recently saw a quote that read, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." I don't know who said this or when, but this certainly has been true in my life. 

Teaching is in full swing in the Kirkwood household now. Homeschooling has begun in our home. We are learning so much and having LOTS of fun! Catelyn wakes up each morning eager to start! I am thankful for her excitement to learn. Ella has begun preschool and is enjoying the fun games we play while learning. By far, their (and my) favorite part of school is when I read stories to them. Sweet memories being made.

Having fun with my girls in school.

If you know me, then you know I am not a public speaker. To say that I get nervous to speak in front of people is an understatement. It's better described as a panic attack coupled with a desperate search for an exit sign. So, when I was presented with the opportunity to teach English to two groups of students (one group of elementary students and the other of university students/teachers), my first fleshly response in my mind was "Nope. Find someone else. There is certainly someone better suited and qualified for that." I had a list of reasons as to why I was not equipped and the "right" person. But instead, I said I would pray about it...and I did, and I was gently reminded of 2 Corinthians 3:5, "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God." After prayerful thought, I find that this opportunity is perfectly suited for me...God knew both my strengths and weaknesses, both my areas of confidence and areas of timidity...and He graciously gave me something that would both compliment and stretch me for my good and His glory. So I agreed to do it...with joy! And now I find myself the English teacher to 30+ elementary students and 10-15 university English students/teachers. Now, that is something I never anticipated I would be doing here! God makes me smile with His humorous ways.

Playing Pictionary in English 

(my friend who visited from America was helping me that day!)

Explaining to the kids the distance between Aceh and America.

 Some of the kids! Such beautiful faces!

I'm not the only one who has found herself in a teaching role since moving here. Corey is the teacher to more than 90 students for a high-school aviation program. He absolutely loves this part of his job. Not only does he get to work on planes with his hands, but he also gets to pour into the next generation...he's one happy guy!

Corey teaching the students something very airplane-y. ;)

That is a lot of teaching for two people who did not go to school to teach! God is funny, isn't He?! So, although we find ourselves in roles we did not anticipate, we are thankful for how God has chosen to use us here. It has been an unexpected joy and fulfillment. The truth is, is that no matter how or where we find ourselves serving, our heart is to honor Him in all that we do. "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Colossians 3:17. 

I encourage you to be open to doing the same. Be open to doing something that the Lord may be prodding you to do. That thing that at first glance appears uncomfortable and somewhat fearful. Who knows, you may find that that is the very thing that brings you even more joy than you are experiencing now...and maturing you in Christ all at the same time! It's worth it. He's worth it.

So, "whatever [our] hand finds to do, do it with all [our] might..." Ecclesiastes 9:10, and as we go about our work, we can fully trust Him to "equip [us] in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-22.