The Seasons of Life

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Have you ever sat down and looked back at the work of God in your life?  Taking special note of where you've been and where He could be leading?

Below is Nancy's story - as told through her seasons of life.  You'll note, she's a real woman, with real life issues - real disappointments and almost turned her back on God.  In fact, she was 43 when she came to know Jesus.   She persevered and as a result, Jesus has enabled her to impact her corner of the world profoundly.  (And many other corners as well!  Mine being one of them.  [Tara])

As you read this - keep in mind that if the God of the Universe will do this through her, will He not do this through you? 

I hope you answered, yes!  If not, you'll surely answer "YES" after reading her story.

SEASON I

SOVEREIGN FOUNDATIONS

 Experiencing God as Creator

Birth to 1972

1. Raised in loving home.

2. Was a treasured child.

3. Became aware of God when I

was about three.

4.  Loved Him with all my heart.

5.  I knew He created me.

6.  I hungered to know Him.

7. My father was gone much of the

time.  He was an officer in the Air

Force.

8. He loved me the most. He actually showed favoritism.

9. Being a child, I didn’t know this

was difficult for my mother to

deal with.

7.  Grew up in a church that

taught falsely about salvation.

LESSON LEARNED:  The Lord’s

purpose will be served no matter

what family or religious

background one has.

SEASON II 

INNER-LIFE, GROWTH

Experiencing Jesus as Savior

1972-1981

1. Married Ray, had 4 children.

2. When I as 34 I turned away

from Jesus, believing He was

impossible to please.

3. Asked a friend how I could

become a Christian. She feared telling
me would damage our friendship.

4. Bought my first Bible in 1979

5. Received Jesus as Savior 10/81

LESSON LEARNED:  Jesus can

break through mind-sets, 

traditions, and false teaching,

revealing Himself as Savior.

Experiencing Jesus as Lord

1981-1982

1. Discovered Jesus wanted to be

Lord of my life.

2. Began to teach children.

3. Struggled with surrendering

everything

4. Surrendered my life

completely. 12/81  After realizing it
wasn't my husband who needed to change, but
me who needed to change. 
5,  Began to seek God's will. 

LESSON LEARNED:  I was quite surprised that the Lord wanted to "run my life", since I had been a Christian for eight weeks.  My question was?  "Well, who will I be?  I won't be me anymore.  I'll try it for three days to see if it works?"  Those three days, turned into 30 YEARS of ministry beyond my wildest dreams.  

SEASON III 

MINISTRY MATURING

Experiencing Jesus as Shepherd

1983-1988

1.Baptised 1/3/82

2. Gave testimony to Anne

Graham Lotz one year after

surrender.

3. Became discussion leader in

her class, and was trained for five

years in how to:   lead women, lead

discussions, do homiletics, teach,

pray, discern God’s will.

3. Without knowing it, Anne was

preparing me to take her place.

4. Ray and I became members

of Colonial Baptist Church, Cary, NC.

5. Began to teach women at

Colonial

6. Received call to be Teaching

Leader (class of 500 women)

12/11/87

7. Became teaching leader. 9/88

7. Selected/trained 65 leaders.

8. Invited to be on Anne’s team at

The Cove (Christian conference center in

Asheville, NC), for two years until we

moved to Omaha.  (No men were

taught.)

LESSONS LEARNED:  The Lord can use a new Christian in ministry, if she is willing to follow Him, learn about Him, and spend time with Him.

SEASON IV 

Life Maturing

Experiencing Jesus as King

1983-1994

1.Learned to teach.

2. Taught 32 weeks a year for

four years.

3. Parents moved in with us

three months after I began

teaching. 1/88

4. Mother terminally ill.

5. Ray’s company was sold.

(He was the president.)

6. He was very wounded.

7. Everyone needed me.

8. Ray took job in Omaha.

1/91

9.  Mom died in my arms.

2/91

10. Dad moved. 3/91

11. Sold house. 6/91

12 Moved to Omaha 6/92

13. Began to seek God’s will for my life
in this new season.

SEASON V 

CONVERGENCE

 Experiencing Jesus as Beloved

1994-2012

1. Discerned God’s leading

    to serve in Church 11/10/95

2.  Pastor’s message on 11/26-95

3.  Met w/him for direction 12/95

4. Began teaching two studies

5. One was “The Wife” Class” 9/96

6. Met Connie Grigsby 9/96

7. Invited her to co-author 11/96

8. Was asked to be Director of

Women’sMinistries 12/17/96

9. Contract first book 1997

10. On Staff at Church 5/99

11. Four more books, many translations

12. Dad died 9/8/02

12. Ray/cancer 2/06

13. Ray Died 12/10/2006

14. Served on Staff until 2008

14.Back to Cary/Colonial 2009

15. Teaching/Mentoring at

Colonial 2010

16. Writing two new books.

LESSONS LEARNED: Abiding in Him is my part and He works out details. I must cease concerning myself w/myself. Becoming preoccupied w/Him is my goal. To know Him is the primary

issue of life; all else pales in comparison.

Stay at His feet spending time with Him each day, dear sister and marvel at all God will do through you as well!