Thursday, April 9, 2009

Chicken Little to Mighty Warrior

Do you ever speculate if the work you do for the Kingdom of God ever makes a difference? I certainly wonder about it at times. Many things we won’t know until we get to heaven, but occasionally God allows us to see a glimpse of our fruit.

Fifteen years ago, I led a high school girls' small group. It consisted of about 20 girls. It was fun. I enjoyed it immensely and am still in contact with several of the girls. It’s been a joy to see them mature into women.

However, one girl, Kelli, remains especially dear to my heart. She was a tiny little thing, couldn’t have broken 90 pounds on the scale. She was introspective and somewhat timid about life in general. She was content to sit and watch the other girls express all their lively opinions on all sorts of issues and experiences. She didn’t feel the need to jump into the turmoil of adolescence. She was a watcher, not a participator.

However, now Kelli is on the mission field in a remote section of the world. I can’t reveal exactly where due to security issues, but let me tell you her life has changed. She dove head first into language studies and a new culture. What a blessing it has been to see her move into the will of God for her life.

Every so often, I email and ask her what she needs. Her last response was, “Deodorant and chewy granola bars.” I packed her a box and sent it off--of course with some Easter peeps. I smiled at the yellow marshmallow chicks as I stuffed them into the box. Yes, Chicken Little had become Mighty Warrior. Kelli went from a quiet, shy teenager to a missionary out to change the world. Here's a picture that she sent to me after she received the package.

"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:12 (NIV)


Don’t give up your “little” ministry. You never know what it might produce someday.



2 comments:

Dana said...

Thank you for sharing about this girl!
I really liked where you wrote,
Don’t give up your “little” ministry. You never know what it might produce someday.

Jill Beran said...

Hi, I came to your blog via your devo and don't have time to leave a comment on each post, but so much of what you've said has spoken to me. Thank you for the encouragement. I too can look back and see what God did in me before I even really knew Him and is now using it today. I too was once a Chicken Little and as I prepare to see my first book on the stands this summer, I pray He will make me a Mighty Warrior! I will need His strength. Thank you for your words and shared stories - they are a blessing! Jill