I have 3 stories, one being my Past, one being my Now and one being my Future. Everyone has all 3 of these stories unique to them. Our stories are like our finger prints no two identical, however many may have some similarities. Some of the same struggles, hurts, fears, etc.
My past story we will leave for another blog.
What I would like to share is my Now story and because of my past story I have a now story headed to my future story that I have the privilege to explore, enlarge and to write what and how I want to live and be. No matter what your story is let’s make it better.
I had read The autobiography of George Muller that left such an impact on my life and changed my life by having real faith in my dreams and believing the impossible and never giving up no matter what it looks like. His book had help me to understand I had a voice (My Story) and could build a platform that I could impact the world by just being an encouragement to those that were struggling or stuck in life.
Muller tells his own story on his journey from life of sin (Past) to rebellion (Now) to his glorious conversion (Future). In his book he shared his struggles and triumphs as he establishes orphan homes to care for thousands of English children. And I quote “His greatest hope that his record of God’s faithfulness to him would encourage believers to develop faith like his own – the faith without which it is impossible to please God; the faith that works by love and purifies the heart; the faith that removes mountains of obstacles out of our path; the faith that takes hold of God’s strength and is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen”.
When I realized I had a gift of encouragement, at least that was what everyone would tell me, I thought I would step out in faith and test the waters. So I volunteered at an orphanage (hummm, where did I get that idea from) – since it was a dream that was deep inside that I didn’t share with anyone, I decided if I volunteer I could test out my coaching skills with these kids– that way if I had made a mistake they wouldn’t judge me. Test those waters….LOL
Back when I started this journey I was struggling with life and really had no direction. Made so many wrong choices and suffered the consequences that has impacted my life ever since. Nothing was going well for me and I knew I needed to do something before something tragically would take place – you get the point!
Back about 40 years ago my sister in-law sat in my family room and said that she had either a dream or vision, that she had seen me surround by many children. Now you know why I went to the orphanage. Little did I know how these children would play such a major role in the direction of my life, what I did know is that God had given me a special kind of love for encouraging others.
One of my favorite teachings is the “Opportunity to rewrite your Story”– By coaching and teaching that the past can’t be changed and what was done in the past God doesn’t care about. What God does care about is where you’re at Now and what choices you decide to make today to move forward.
I’ve had many memorable moments and lessons I’ve learned through these kids and I thought I was teaching and preparing them. Let me share the very first one that impacted me and changed the course of my journey that catapulted me to today.
My first day I was really pumped and thought I was ready for anything. I’ve been raised with mostly boy’s, I was a barber, yes a barber and only cut men’s hair, have 3 awesome Nephews…..girls are coming down the pike (but now I have 2 awesome Great Nieces. But back then my life was dominated by men. So I didn’t think anything would come up with these boys I couldn’t handle … what they would say… what they do…How they would react…or what language could come out of their mouth that would shock me.
The boys were all having lunch in the gym. As I sat at the first table with the group of maybe 8 boys, I went around the table and introduced myself to them and began to share with excitement and enthusiasm about teaching and coaching them in their faith study program.
As I got to the 2nd boy and introduce myself this young man (for the sake of privacy lets call him Sam) Sam looked me square in the eyes and said DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM. And of course the enthusiastic person I am, I really thought I was ready to hear what he had to say. A moment of silence with the starr, his words to me were, do you know who I am, I followed up with the a answer back, no who are you. He says in a very deep voice, with his eyes pinned to mine, I AM THE DEVIL and of course I made light of it and kept asking him questions, but he kept repeating it over and over to the point I was very uncomfortable sitting there.
I have to admit I was set back, and after I caught my breath and gathered my thoughts I question my calling for volunteering in an orphanage (where was George Muller when I needed him – needless to say he past 1805–1898) .
As I drove home I throw a fit in the car with God – don’t ask what I said, wasn’t pretty, but once I got it all out with lots of tears and got home God began to speak to my heart that just because it wasn’t easy doesn’t mean He didn’t give me that dream, that gift that calling and I needed to continue coaching these boys. He also said that outbreak of that young man is a cry for help.
The next few weeks went pretty well with the boys. Then there was a Saturday that the majority of the kids were off campus for one reason or another. Pastor Karen asked me what I wanted to do. I was open even if there was only one child.
Well, guess who that one child was, yep the child that said he was the devil, Sam. This will be a one on one. So, Sam what is your dream? With that the flood gates of his heart opened up. I gave him his space and time to share what was truly on his heart. His knowledge, belief and desires were pretty amazing and attainable. He wanted to be another Bill Gates, not just for his success but for his knowledge he gained at a young age. Sam had this very detailed plan in his head and I asked him to draw it on my white board, he blew me away!!!!
He knew he had to have a plan and it was in his heart. When he would try to share it with others they would laugh at him including his own family. He shared that no one ever took the time to listen or really cared. And with tears running down his face it took everything he had to say in soft voice – “I know if someone would believe in me I can do this”. No matter how young or old we are, we all need a plan to run with and have someone believe in us and hold us up with encouragement when we are discouraged or disappointed. But for Sam, it was a bit more challenging. And truly became my Challenge and Commitment.
After giving him the time to share I realized that the remark he made at the lunch table was just a cry for help along with testing my integrity and character before he could be honest and open his protected heart. I went on for the next several years, yes years to encourage him and the others and show them in Gods word the truth about how important each and everyone of them are to God. And the difference any of them could make and live their dreams if they choose the right path, make the right choices and keep focused on their dreams as Sam descript to me. He is still writing his success story and living in VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My words spoken to him….as long as you believe in God and yourself remember…MATT 19:26…. All things are possible with God. As we came to the end of the bible study, he came up to me and his words were, thank you Miss Judith for listening to me, believing in me and encouraging me to reach my dream. I know my story is going to be GREAT !
God revealed to me later that day —–Trapped inside many people are all the emotional feelings of fear, loneliness, discouragement, disappointment, feeling unloved and tears that they may have been forgotten. But from Sam’s story it just goes to show you that YOUR STORY DOES MATTER! ITSN’T IT TIME TO WRITE IT AND LIVE YOUR INCREDILBE DREAMS THAT ARE UNIQUE JUST TO YOU!
It’s important to all of us to take time to focus on your dreams, no matter what it is, it gives you a brief moment to forget the pain, the hurt, the abuse and the discouragements from your past story that you have experience.
YOUR STORY TRULY MATTERS!
Go live and breathe you dreams by creating your NEW STORY – if Sam can do it, you can do it!
Interested In Talking With Coach Judith?
Coach Judith is a seasoned entrepreneur, teacher and coach with over 40 plus years of experience in Leadership, Coaching and Consulting. She is a coach that is dedicated to the heart-beat to see others live the life they were created to live and ~B~
Coach Judith is about encouraging individuals to pursue their dreams and passions who may be “stuck” in the past and struggle with moving forward. Judith is driven with purpose, passion, and expression in her work and life. Her coaching most often reveals the work that she loves and has developed a high level of skill through her experiences.
Feel free to check out our upcoming bootcamps + workshops or send a message to Coach Judith. I’m ready to help you change your life!