Thankful thought - We are where we are suppose to be

Many times I try to direct my path alone without asking Him. That is when the Spirit reminds me that I am where I am suppose to be 

Transcript

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This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Hello and welcome to Shine. I am your host, Nicole Florence, and today we have a thankful thought. So this week I had a few days to I I'll say to myself, but not really, but without my schedule of working, a couple of days off, and they were just so peaceful and just joyful moments, you know. I got to of course hang out with my grandson and let me tell you, a trip to Shields to see the fishes and look at the Ferris wheel and the animals. Um just my heart was just so full. And usually I try not to spend money, usually it's a free trip, but we did buy something this time. And I got to go to my mother's doctor appointment with her. Um, you know, she had to have a follow-up with her cardiologist and both of them, and to be there with her, you know, she's 81, y'all, um, making sure all of her questions were answered, making sure she understood everything that was going on, and you know, also, I'm not gonna lie, y'all, um, being a physician and being in the room with your family members and friends, uh, when you are able to advocate for them in that way, uh, I do think the people in the room listen and and talk a little clearer. So that was just it was nice for me to be able to do that for her. And I thought to myself, wow, I had I I got to do all these things. I had a very nice long lunch with um my you know cousin girlfriend Gia, uh, where you know you're just not rushed, you're not having to move on to the next thing where you can just be in the moment. And I thought to myself, I wonder if this is what retirement is like. So of course I start going through all these you know scenarios in my head. Um, you know, just now turning 57, you know, what is my two and a half year date for you know possible retirement. And of course, as much as that might be my plan or something I look forward to, I do know that I always have to yield to his plan for me. And when I was, you know, dreaming about oh, what it's gonna be like, and you know, my grandkids, getting to hang out with them full time, and yeah, I'm not gonna lie, you know, being a little selfish in um being able to, as I say, have a different ministry, right? So I woke up um after my days off and started going through some of my emails very early, and this is how God works. So I'm gonna read you this email. Now keep in mind I've been in practice within this community now almost 26 years. I was a previous primary carer. Um, I do a little different medicine now in wellness. And I'm gonna read you this email that I woke up to. And I'm reading this out of humility, not with pride. I'm reading this to you because I do believe God had to remind me of my purpose and how we are so interwoven into each other's life tapestry. Okay, and I'll leave out names, of course. Um, hey Dr. Florence, I don't know if you remember me, but you made a huge impact on my life. When I was a child, you were my mother and grandmother's doctor. My grandmother fell and hurt herself badly when I was about 12 years old, and I remember going to your office with her and you telling me I should help her. I don't know if that really shaped my life, but at the age of 16 I got my first job in a nursing home, and I have been in healthcare since. Six years ago, you did a job fair presentation at our local elementary school. After that presentation, you met my then second grade daughter. I'm not gonna say her name, and I remember her coming home from school that day, so excited to tell me that she was going to be a doctor when she grows up because you were so awesome. I want you to know, six years later, she still has not changed her mind. She has evolved and has decided that she wants to become a pediatric oncologist. She is in all honors classes and just got her acceptance into the health and science program for when she starts high school next fall. And today, she was honored by the Illinois Principals Association for outstanding leadership. I just wanted you to know how large of a role you have played throughout my life. I think you are a wonderful doctor, a better yet, an absolutely amusing human being. P.S. I am attaching a photo of my daughter with her recognition this morning. Okay, sorry y'all. I had to pause, I had a moment. And this photo, oh my gosh, this beautiful uh girl, brown skin, uh, she's got these beautiful dreads, and she is smiling and holding up her student leadership award. And when I read this, I really felt the spirit and God telling me, oh no, no, no, I am not done with you yet. And the tapestry that has been woven through my purpose, whether as a physician or out in the community, um speaking to our young ones, there is still a lot to be woven. And even the smallest weave is so incredibly impactful. And I know many times, right, I am tired and I don't know if I can do this for long term, or what does tomorrow bring, or I look at maybe others around me who are retiring or going into a different healthcare leadership path. Like, why did I not get chosen? You know, who am I? Um that I am not good enough. And what I am learning is that I am where I need to be, and that my purpose is uniquely mine, and I need to have faith and obedience and trust that he is putting me in the rooms that I need to be in, that he is putting me in front of the people who I need to minister to in the way that I can. And all is for good. And of course, he sends me those reminders just when I need to hear them. And I pray that you see and you hear the reminders that he is sending you, and you continue to allow yourself to be guided and woven into others' tapestry of purpose in life as well. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.