"I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero...or a warrior...or even a burglar." Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit
Why do we all love The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy? I believe one of the reasons is because we see on the big screen the reflection of our small selves. Inside, we are Bilbos and Frodos, comfortable in our hobbit holes and yet called to great life adventures to do good and fight evil; adventures that terrify and stretch us and force us to be who the Gandalfs know we truly are.
I have seen this in many layers in my life: attending graduate school while working two jobs and doing an internship (and getting married four months into my Masters' program); being the third caseworker in SD to ever work with homeless youth in a shelter program; becoming the program manager of a homeless youth group home; raising four sons (yes, motherhood definitely counts as a grand adventure!); homeschooling; and for the past eight years, leading an intercessory prayer group that regularly takes on, in the unseen spiritual realm, goblins and orcs, resisting Sauron and fighting for the peace and safety of those we love. Each of these has been far, far beyond my natural abilities.
God never calls us to common, easy tasks. He always calls us to grand adventures far beyond our imagination and outside our abilities. Why? So we experience what is always His highest pursuit--relationship with Him, as we cling fervently to His Word and lean desperately on His Spirit. I don't ever want to be known for something I can do in my own strength. Mark my life by the things I couldn't do except for a tenacious grip on the arm of my Savior.
"I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero...or a warrior...or even a burglar."
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 NLT)
Never was drawn to 'The Hobbit', but I am amazed by your life accomplishments! I know I am always striving for an adventure outside my comfort zone...and usually one that I can enhance someone else's life by completing. These adventures often leave me with a great awe of the Power of God's Will and Love. I know for certain I could not finish many of my tasks without God's love & strength.
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