Alot can happen in a year...
In November of 2004, it seemed for a few weeks that I had run right into a brick wall in my personal life and ministry! They were dark days full of doubt, questions, anxiety, and worry as I wondered what was going to happen, where I was supposed to head, and if I would even survive that time. But then, early one morning I text messaged my fiance at the time (my hubby now!), "I feel such a sense of expectancy! Like something big is going to happen!"
Later that afternoon, God clearly ended the path that I was on at the time in one ministry, and clearly opened up a new path to follow. The offer of two offices, phone services, internet server, and copier use in an area church, all rent free, as well as two additional counselors willing to sign on and walk a road of blind faith with me, made it clear that God had plans for a new ministry to start---specifically, a Professional Christian Counseling ministry. This was the unexpected, unimagined, and unsought for beginning of True Hope Counseling.
The past year, God has led me step-by-step in laying the foundation for a Christian Counseling Center. This has included everything from designing brochures and letterhead to implementing a billing/invoice system and obtaining a DBA license to developing core values, a statement of faith, and a philsophy of ministry.
"God has done this!", in an understatement. Much of what needed to done I had no idea how to do, and yet every day after time on my knees pleading with God to show Himself wise and strong in my ignorance and weakness, God laid out the directions for that day and the tasks that needed to be accomplished. There were days of exhileration at being a part of a developing ministry, but there were also days of doubt and exhaustion. Some days I was positive this was what God wanted me to do; other days I wondered if I had heard God clearly. Some days I loved my job and the challenges of begnning something; other days I would tell myself I'd be better off washing dishes in a restaurant somewhere!
The growth of True Hope is representative of only a small fraction of the personal and spiritual growth in my own life this past year. This year has shown me more than ever before, how little I can accomplish on my own and how utterly desparate I am for God to lead me each step of the way. I have learned to pray for help and direction about every last little detail from financial provision to how to get my computer running correctly towhat web designer to use with the funds we had! And God has given answers to each of these prayers---sometimes within minutes, sometimes after weeks of prayer and lots of tears!
True Hope Counseling is God's idea, God's doing, and therefore, God's ministry. It is not about me. Instead it's about God's epic story, and the small role He wrote out for me to play.
So much more needs to be done as we enter "phase two" of True Hope's development, but I know He will show me how to walk the next phase of this journey, just as He has guided me in the first phase.
Be blessed!
Melissa