Answering the call I never asked for

By longlivetobe in Life Lessons on February 21, 2017December 27, 2017

It’s currently 12:45 am, Tuesday February 21^st2017. I am propped up at my desk, sipping on Celestial Chamomile tea (thanks to my bro and his wife for getting me hip), while thinking of what to say in this post. Ten minutes earlier, I was going through my closet picking out clothes for the morning: Tie or no tie? This blazer is too flashy; this one makes me look rich; should I throw a pocket square in? So many thoughts, so little time as my life will take a turn in less than eight hours.

At 7am today, I will be introduced to a large group of middle school kids with whom I will begin spending time with every morning from 7am to 7:45 am. I don’t know how I got here; heck, I don’t know what I am going to say to them, but I do know who brought me here. As I frivolously pace up and down my living room floor pondering on sock/blazer combo, moniker choices (Mr. Tobe or Mr. TJ), and other irrelevant thoughts, my favorite bible verse comes to mind. Mark Ch. 5 verse 36: Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

I gotta believe! This was something I couldn’t have planned out. I remember getting an email while at work asking for volunteers to give a presentation to 4^th graders at neighboring schools. I just wanted to muster up confidence when speaking to crowds and thought “I aint finna be scared of no 4^th graders” so I took my shot. Months later, I get an email from the principal of the school asking to meet me. He explains the lack of diversity in the staff, issues with the kids and asks for my suggestion on what needs to be done. 15 minutes later, he offers me a job! I politely decline since I am currently in a finance career, but I stress my eagerness to work around my work schedule. We compromise, and since I don’t have to be at work until 8:30am, I will be leading the kids in morning prayers around 7am (It’s a catholic school) and then spending 45 minutes forming a bond with the kids.

I write this post today, still in shock. God is choosing to use me in ways I never imagined. Do I think He can use you too? Yes! Stop testing the waters and dive in; I promise it’s not as cold as you think it is.