Marty: Mission Work? Really?

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,
you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  -John 15:5

Since Lisa, my dear wife, mentioned me in her recent post (read it here), I feel compelled to tell a little more of the story to which she alluded.  First, though, a little more about my family and me. Lisa and I will celebrate 29 years of marriage (and around 35 years of friendship) in just a few months. She is my best friend and has been instrumental in my Christian walk. We have one son, Stephen, and two daughters, Erin & Jessica.

So back to Lisa's post. I pretty much "grew up in the church," but never really took God seriously. After all, I believed in Him and dutifully attended church most Sundays, so what more could He want from me? Well, He got my attention on a retreat I attended in 1993. It was then that I first understood that Jesus wanted a full-time relationship with me - not just a standing appointment on Sunday mornings. I learned more, and grew, and started serving and sharing what I was learning. And the longer I walked with Jesus, the more I was unsatisfied with my vocational life.

That brings us to that fateful conversation about eight years ago. I can vaguely recall that we were on a family vacation at the beach, talking about where God may be leading us in the future. Lisa told me about her missionary leanings, and I told her about wanting to open a business. Somehow, the business idea happened (she was right - I wasn't ready for the whole mission-work business; I had to change that direction quick!). 

In July of the following year, The Coffee Table was born. God had allowed me to realize a near-lifelong dream to open a cafe! The business was short-lived, as it closed just four years later. That process was a tough one, but I would not have traded the full experience - from planning to opening to operating to closing -for anything. I personally learned much and grew in faith through it all, and as a family, we had many positive experiences and met many great folks!

Since then, I have served on a church staff for about eight months, and am now serving on staff at the Frederick Rescue Mission. If you asked me 20 years ago if any of this would have been in my future, I would have said, "no way!". But, as I look back, I can see how God has used each of my experiences to build on the next, and to prepare me for future assignments. And this is the reason I am able to now say I am ready for this mission-work business! Because I know that He has prepared me for the next step, and will continue to teach me as I remain in Him!

-Marty

On another topic, we've heard from a couple of people that it has been difficult to post comments. We've changed the settings so you may post a comment using only your name (choose the 'Name/URL' selection) or anonymously. Thanks for your words of encouragement!