I'm having one of those periods of life where I feel the Lord is taking me out of my comfort zone and seeking to challenge me in different areas.  One such area is in the role of leadership. 

Another sister in Christ and I believe that the Lord laid it on our hearts to start a specific children's ministry at our chapel.  My daughter had participated in this weekly bible club for the past 2.5 years, but there was no such club near our new home (we moved in December).  I was dissapointed, especially when my 3-yr-old would talk about how she wanted to be in the program.  After a few months of settling in and speaking to a chaplain about the possibility of starting the program, I met a woman who also wanted to start the same ministry and actually had boxes of the materials!

My new friend was able to get the ball rolling with another chaplain and we were able to begin to lay the groundwork for the ministry.  That means I must figure out what role I am to assume to keep this process moving.  That's where my fears and anxieties start to kick in!  I don't want to be a leader.  I want to sit quietly by and offer support.  I want to help where I can, but I don't want to commit.  Everybody needs a helper, right?  Not everyone can be a leader, right?  Oh, then there's my mortal fear of speaking in front of others. 

Well, my desire to sit idly by and watch this ministry blossom on its own was never to be.  Hesitantly, I volunteered to co-coordinate the program.  Despite my fears, I had to present before a small panel early on and I've had to conduct very small trainings since then. 

I have had to pray that the Lord equip me and give me the words and courage for the tasks ahead.  Only handing it over to the Lord has lessened my fears (1Pet. 5:7).  After all, 2 Tim. 1:17 says that we were not given a spirit of fear or timidity.  Also, I have now taken on the secretarial role while my friend is the coordinator.  In Christ, Talya