Sitting at a round table with seven women I’d never met, I wondered why I was at a fundraiser for an organization I knew nothing about. There were lots of women chatting and hugging, while I sat and watched.
I was searching for something that satisfied my inner need to understand what was next in my life. With my children growing up and moving on to their next chapter, I felt lost and lonely.
A bit afraid, if I’m honest. Scared I couldn’t start something new, maybe I was too old to make friends or join a new group.
I’d spent most of my married life as a mom who homeschooled and attended everything. My husband wasn’t home because his job kept him away for eight months each year, so I was always on call.
I prayed about what this season of life would bring, but I didn’t hear a loud booming voice of God telling me the well-laid-out plan with step-by-step instructions. Instead, I found different opportunities to figure it all out.
When we pray for patience, God provides us with chances to practice patience; when we pray for courage, He offers us opportunities to be brave; when we pray for our family to grow closer, He gives us chances to love each other more.
At that fundraiser with those women, I didn’t know the speaker, Marilee Pierce Dunker, would share something that touched my heart and refocused my attention.
She shared the story of her father, Bob Pierce, the founder of Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision. When he traveled to a foreign country and saw the harsh reality of poverty, he prayed to God, “Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours.”
I often pray for God to break my heart for the things that break His. Some of the opportunities He has placed before me have been small, fleeting encounters, while others have been life-changing for me and others.
What opportunity are you missing because you’re waiting for a detailed, step-by-step plan?
I want to challenge you to start looking for the opportunities God is placing before you as you seek what’s next. Notice the things that break God’s heart and take a step of faith to help.
