So it happened. I was finally made official in my ward. I was offered a calling. Want to know what it was? I'll give you a hint:
Yes it has to do with relief society (for my non Mormon friends- Relief Society is the organization for the women in the church. During the first hour of our meetings the women all meet together and have a lesson/discussion, then we attend Sunday School, and finally in the third hour we have Sacrament meeting. You can read more about it {here})
Still wondering? I was called as a teacher in the Relief Society. And even after 2 days of letting it marinate I am totally overwhelmed. I feel so small and unprepared. I feel like a child trying to fit in with the grown up women. These are women who taught me when I was in Primary and Young Womens. Women who are married, have children, my friend's mothers, women who have served in the church for many years, women who know more than me. I am very intimidated. What qualifies me in any way to teach them anything? I'm only 23. I still watch Hannah Montana. What is the Relief Society president thinking?
After doing a lot of thinking and scripture study I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter. The Lord has a plan for me. The Lord called me. Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding and in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths"
I also was reading on the church website about callings in the Relief Society. A lot of what I learned was not to get caught up in it. In the end it is the Spirit teaching the lesson anyway.
I found this great talk by Henry B. Eyring about "Rising to your Calling" He says:
"You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands...your calling is to bless lives. That will be true even in the most ordinary tasks you are assigned an in moments when you might be doing something not apparently connected to your call. Just the way you smile or the way you offer to help someone can build their faith."
It's a great talk. You can read the whole thing {here}
I hope I can fulfill this calling in the way the the Lord would want me to. That I can teach with the Spirit. That I can bring something to the table that others can appreciate. Nervous yes. But excited none the less. Last night while reading the scriptures I came across Ephesians 3:17-19 "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fulness of God".
Isn't it great how the Lord can direct you to exactly what you need to hear?
As a side note I'd like to share with you a conversation I had with Beth about my calling where she relieved my fears and then re-instated them:
V: I got called as a relief society teacher today
B: I saw on FB! I was that in college and I loved it, but everyone was young so it wasn't as intimidating. You excited?
V: Yes but really nervous....
B: You will do amazing! You are so witty that you will add some much needed humor! I'm sad I'm not in your class
V: Thanks for your vote of confidence- it's intimidating to be teaching your former teachers
B: ha ha yeah I can't even imagine
You should be a motivational speaker Beth.
Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You will be an amazing teacher. I loved the quotes you shared in your post and I believe every one of them. You have something to give that is needed and you will do an incredible job. I wish I was there to experience it! I miss you and your family but I am so happy to hear and see (through photos) all of the great things that you are experiencing.
Hugs,
Jaime