I took God’s hand and said YES to HIS plan. In addition to the calming peace, I discovered my purpose to be a Life Coach.
My journey through life enables me to serve my purpose. The roadblocks, steep hills, and unexpected turns paved the way to a spiritual freedom I want to share with others.
One path took me through a mid-life crisis that allowed me to acknowledge and heal past hurts. My heart opened to a love from above that filled every punctured hole. Instead of leaving my marriage, I took Super Dad’s lead, did the work, and we saved our marriage. I felt a comfortable, contented love for my husband, and we kept our family together. The family unit is under attack and my passion is to help people do the work, stay married, and model commitment to children. Pre-marital and Couples coaching is something everyone should do! I wish we had.
A more recent journey started at age 52. My life experiences were meant to be shared and help others, but I wasn’t serving the way God intended. My excuses included traveling in my job, not having enough knowledge, or confidence it would be accepted. God had a different plan!
My career was financially setting us up to retire comfortably. We purchased our dream home on a lake, visiting seasonally, and would eventually live there permanently. I felt a draw to that area, especially to the church we found. I asked my manager to transfer me to that state – that was MY plan, as I tried six different ways to keep that job with great benefits, matching 401k, pension, car, and amazing salary. Six times I was told no. The last time broke me.
I was confused, depressed, and wasn’t hearing God’s voice…at all. I was angry. I felt stuck. Nothing made sense. I wouldn’t exercise and didn’t care about my diet. I was plummeting into a pit I’ve known before.
A group of soul sisters surrounded me one weekend at the lake. They saw my anger at God, cried with me as they prayed, laying hands on me. The next day, as we worshipped in church, we stood, arm-in-arm, sobbing. I went to pray with a pastor, returned to my sisters and announced “I’m quitting my job and moving here!”
I soon discovered that was God’s plan all along, I just needed to catch up and be obedient. As soon as I took God’s hand and said YES to HIS plan, in addition to the calming peace, I discovered my purpose to be a Life Coach. It was amazing to watch doors swing wide open after so many slammed in my face! Super Dad and I found jobs with benefits. Our duplex neighbor had no hesitation in buying our side when asked in one phone call. We were completely moved within four months of saying YES.
I found my purpose as a Life Coach, serving women who want meaning and direction in their life, and coaching couples to stay committed. I’ve been there, paid my dues in relationships, marriage, parenting, financial matters, professional careers, and can share my knowledge. I know, without a doubt, I am serving where I should.
Personally speaking, I am a wife to Super Dad of 35 amazingly-life-changing years – for the better! I’m a mom of three adult children: son, Incredible Hulk – he’s strong and yet compassionate, something I strive to learn from him; his wife, Peppermint Patty, like the Peanuts character, is athletic, never wears dresses, and is amazingly patient with the kids; their children, Squeaks and Whoopie, made me realize how big my heart can grow; daughter, Brown-eyed girl, for that reason, challenges me in knowing who I am and when to change; daughter, Health Nut, studying Public Health, whose minimalist ways keep me humble; her husband, Drinks, who wore a shirt that said DRINKS and it stuck, is the Godliest man I know; and their son, Zman, I witnessed coming into this world! My heart is full.
Why “Take My Hand?”
Many years ago I heard this song, which led me to buy the album, and fall in love with Shawn McDonald’s deep affection for Jesus. I wanted that! I had no idea one day I would use it as the name of my Life Coaching business. I was struggling, spending months of eliminating ideas, when one morning I spent hours with God, worship music on in the background. I had my eyes closed, silently listening for God’s voice, when clearly I heard:
Take my hand to the promise land/
And on You I want to stand/
Cause I cannot do it on my own/
You’re what I need and I need to be/
Right by your side cause I cannot hide/
Lord, I know that I need you.
I opened my eyes widely and exclaimed, “that’s it!” It fit where I want to go, who I need, and what I want to do for others. The circle around my logo has three arrow points, representing God, Coach, Client. When you Take My Hand and go on this journey, we are traveling with the Holy Spirit, right by his side!