Who inspires you?
We all have people in our lives that have inspired us. Mentors, friends, even people who we've read about but never met.
I met Pastor Travis on the prairie path one day last summer. He was training for a marathon and I was training for my 500 mile walk. He told me I was an inspiration to him. It took me back- surprised me, because I was thinking he was my inspiration for walking that extra mile. It made me think about all those who have inspired me in my life....
Pastor Hanson, my pastor when I was in Jr. High. She inspired me in so many ways, but especially in that I should follow my passion for ministry. She was a female pastor at a time when there weren't many and not too accepted. God used her to save my life at a time when I was at my lowest point by showing me who Jesus really is and that He has a plan for my life.
Monique has inspired me to keep going, modify if I need to, but keep getting stronger.
Margie inspires me in so many ways. Her compassion for other people, her passion for the Word, her willingness to obey when God calls her.
Karen inspired me to take breaks when needed or re-direct, but never give up. In teaching, in relationships, in life.
Nancy inspired me to pray without ceasing. She was the biggest prayer warrior I know. I will miss her dearly.
Cassie inspired me, when as a little girl, she looked up at me from her bed and said with so much emotion, "Mommy, I love Jesus soo much!" She inspired me to love Jesus with wonder and child like love. She also inspires me when she tells me that all the bad stuff in life makes you stronger and we couldn't be who we are without it. Wise young woman.
Scooter inspires me to count every day as a blessing. He's a homeless man in Chicago who, when asked how he is, will always answer with, "Blessed. I woke up today and God loves me."
Heather inspires me when she trains for yet another marathon after each baby. If she can do it again and again, I can do it at least once.
Sam inspires me when I think of all he's been through and he hasn't let it turn him into a person who feels sorry for himself or uses it as an excuse. He's let it make him stronger, purposefully using it all to make him a better man.
I'm inspired by a very special man when I think of how he took a two year old little stinker into his heart with the promise of loving her like his own. I try to pay it forward every day by "adopting" others into my heart.
My inspiration from the Bible comes from King David. He messed up.. In big ways. Yet he was a man after God's own heart. He knew and loved God with his whole heart. He was humble before the Lord and was repentant. David struggled with depression and yet in the depths of his sorrow, he found solace in God. He praised God and was thankful. He reminds me that no matter how much I screw up as long as I have faith, even though I still get to deal with the consequences of my sin, I am loved and forgiven.
Monique has inspired me to keep going, modify if I need to, but keep getting stronger.
Margie inspires me in so many ways. Her compassion for other people, her passion for the Word, her willingness to obey when God calls her.
Karen inspired me to take breaks when needed or re-direct, but never give up. In teaching, in relationships, in life.
Nancy inspired me to pray without ceasing. She was the biggest prayer warrior I know. I will miss her dearly.
Cassie inspired me, when as a little girl, she looked up at me from her bed and said with so much emotion, "Mommy, I love Jesus soo much!" She inspired me to love Jesus with wonder and child like love. She also inspires me when she tells me that all the bad stuff in life makes you stronger and we couldn't be who we are without it. Wise young woman.
Scooter inspires me to count every day as a blessing. He's a homeless man in Chicago who, when asked how he is, will always answer with, "Blessed. I woke up today and God loves me."
Heather inspires me when she trains for yet another marathon after each baby. If she can do it again and again, I can do it at least once.
Sam inspires me when I think of all he's been through and he hasn't let it turn him into a person who feels sorry for himself or uses it as an excuse. He's let it make him stronger, purposefully using it all to make him a better man.
I'm inspired by a very special man when I think of how he took a two year old little stinker into his heart with the promise of loving her like his own. I try to pay it forward every day by "adopting" others into my heart.
My inspiration from the Bible comes from King David. He messed up.. In big ways. Yet he was a man after God's own heart. He knew and loved God with his whole heart. He was humble before the Lord and was repentant. David struggled with depression and yet in the depths of his sorrow, he found solace in God. He praised God and was thankful. He reminds me that no matter how much I screw up as long as I have faith, even though I still get to deal with the consequences of my sin, I am loved and forgiven.
There are many others. These are just a few who come to mind. For those close to me, the only reason I may not mention how you inspire me is because it's personal- either to you or me, or both. Friends and family who have overcome hardship, sorrow, addiction, handicap, illness, depression, loss, and those who find joy in the Lord no matter what comes their way - all have inspired me to be who I am today, and continue to inspire me to become the person God wants me to be.
I hope my journey can inspire others to step out in faith and do what God is calling them to do. Whether it's going back to school, changing jobs, going on some physically challenging adventure, finding quiet time, or just pushing on through a difficult situation. My prayer is that I can be a vessel that God uses to inspire others to live in His will, trust in Him, hope, persevere, be strong, and find a passion for something outside of themselves.
