I’m so excited that Laura Hicks shared her story with us
today.
Isn’t it crazy how shame (even when it’s due to the actions of others) can keep us from the God-plans the Lord wants to unfold in us?
That’s why I love her story. She shows us how to take a leap of faith when the past wants to keep you stuck. She’s courageous and wonderful and I’m so glad she dropped in to share her story with us. ~ Suzie
today.Several years ago I felt a stirring.
It was simply a quiet beckoning but it persisted. I knew it was from God but it didn’t make any sense whatsoever so I tried to brush it aside.
Have you ever been there? You know God is calling you but it’s so far out of your comfort zone that it seems impossible.
Ah, that pesky comfort zone. Let’s be honest, it’s one of our favorite places, because it’s…well, comfortable! It’s also the place where dreams and callings go to die.
The whisper of God’s voice calling me into youth ministry was undeniable but hard to wrap my brain around at the same time. Seriously, I don’t think you could find anyone more unqualified for this calling than me. My life had been anything but a good example for teenagers.
My own teen years were full of rebelling. Unfortunately, I ran straight into the arms of an alcohol infused, physically abusive situation. It will never cease to amaze me how quickly I was convinced I deserved the abuse.
The alcohol abuse all around me quickly became my go-to coping mechanism. In one of my drunken stupors, I chose to catch a ride with a stranger which led to being sexually assaulted.
Still tangled up in so much shame, I couldn’t fathom how God could use me.
What parent would want to have someone like me leading their impressionable youth through God’s word?
Then there was the fact that I had NO training. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
I tried to reason with God. I explained to Him how there was already someone leading the youth group, so there simply wasn’t a need for me.
Isn’t it amazing that our Heavenly Father doesn’t bulldoze His way in?
He just kept gently laying it on my heart despite my stubbornness. I resisted His leading for another two years.
God didn’t waste a moment. He prepared my heart and my faith. That still small voice started to get pretty loud and it was time to trust and step out into the deep waters.
No more excuses, simply obey.
We don’t have to understand it all we just need to go where He leads. {Tweet This}
Not long after I submitted to God’s call, the woman who was leading our youth group stepped down. God had prepared me in the “off season” for the work ahead.
Venturing into the deep water can be scary.
Just because God calls us to something doesn’t necessarily make it easy. Seriously, I was terrified. I was so far out of my comfort zone I think I lapped it once or twice.
There is, however, such amazing grace found in obedience. It’s like unclogging a funnel of blessings God has had ready for you all along.
I’m still unqualified. That hasn’t changed at all. I feel completely unequipped 99% of the time.
But…I have learned it isn’t ME that matters.
The fact that we aren’t qualified points all the glory back to God
I just need to keep putting one foot of faith in front of the other.
God will do the rest.
I also learned that I really DO have faith. Something I never really believed about myself, although God always knew!
Not only has God redeemed my past and the shame, He’s using it for His glory! He’s given me the strength to share my story of deliverance in our youth ministry and I’ve been blessed beyond words to watch many young people receive freedom as well.
Laura
Meet Laura
Laura Hicks has a passion for family. She’s loved animals and sharing stories since she was young. She’s ranches with her husband and two sons way out in the middle of nowhere, or as she likes to call it – God’s country. Laura trains Border Collie dogs to help on the ranch and compete in sheep and cattle trials. She believes that watching a good dog work livestock is truly poetry in motion!
Connect with Laura Hicks
Blog: https://www.laurahicks.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraHicks.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_a_hicks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraAHicks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hicks0679/
I love this! Your youth group will listen to you more than you can imagine because of your experiences. They are so lucky to have someone with your courage.!!
Thank you Kay! I’ve been blessed by them more than I ever could have expected.
Beautiful! I’m so excited to see Laura here today, Suzie! She is part of my Compel group! How glorious to see God using the words of our sweet sister to encourage us to press on through the uncomfortable, seemingly unqualified places. Yay God! Laura, I love your story. I pray it reaches many with the message of faith and hope!
Thanks Micah! I’ve been praying over this message for the last couple of weeks. I’m so blessed to be a part of your Compel group too!!
What a beautiful story of God’s redemption, Laura! I love your words and am grateful for people like you, who answer God’s call. Youth Ministry isn’t for the weary, for sure, but my goodness, how powerful your testimony is and will continue to be in the lives of students! Thanks for sharing, Suzie!
Thanks Crystal! I find when I have struggled with youth ministry it’s because I’m trying to do it in my own strength. He called me to it, He’ll see me through it.
What an amazing testimony of God’s redemptive power! Your words are encouraging and inspire me to step out of my comfort zones! Thank you for sharing with us today!
That’s awesome Alisa! So glad you found encouragement.
Laura..sweetie You are such a Blessing… I would Love to have someone who has been through so much and turned their life over to God.. Teaching/guiding my child especially at that age..They are going to trust that you truly know what they are going through and the pressures at their tender yet scary age..Hugs sweetie..And I simply LOVE Border Collies I lost one this last year Dakota. He was 14years old and how AWESOME he was..never a dog like him..He loved HiIs babies..Myself and my children share so many stories of his wonderful amazing life he had and the smiles he made in our hearts FOREVER..hugs
Wow, you just made me tear up Marta! You have blessed me so much. It means a lot to be told by a parent they would love to have someone like me guiding their children. Sorry to hear you lost Dakota but glad you were blessed to have had him in your life. Hugs!
Loved this Laura! And the fact that “we aren’t qualified points all the glory back to God” is amazing! I love that statement. And- let me encourage you-having “mom” experience has nothing to do with teaching youth!! So you go girl! Thank you for sharing your story with us! I love stories! xoxoShannon
Thank you for the encouragement Shannon!
Laura, these are such encouraging words: “The fact that we aren’t qualified points all the glory back to God.” Oh I’m with you here! My teen years may have been different than yours, but I do feel unqualified 99% of the time. Thank you for persisting despite those feelings to serve young people. They need leaders like you.
Betsy, I’m praying God will open hearts to the realization He already qualified us! Youth group has blessed me so much. Grateful God is allowing me to be a part of it.
“Our comfort zone can be the place where dreams and callings go to die.” This statement really spoke to me. Thank you, Laura, for your insight and transparency in sharing God’s work in your life. Our Father wastes nothing and uses all things for good!
Thank you Calista! I’m so glad our Father never wastes anything.
You are the perfect person for this job–however painful your teen year were–and they sound so very hard–God is a gracious God who turns our pain into good for others. I am in the midst of issues with my teen right now, some surely have many more challenges with their teens than we do–but what I’m learning is we need an army of adults to help teens navigate the evil all around, to make good choices. Who better than someone who has been down into the deepest, darkest, and came to see the light of God. You are a BLESSING!! Those teens need you!!!! Visiting from #IntentionalTuesday today!
I really appreciate this Kathy! I completely agree that it takes an army to help teens not only survive but thrive in those years.
Thanks Laura for the blessings you shared. Our lives are blessed by real people! I love reading stories like yours, from rags to riches, they are so believable. You bring Hope to the down trodden! Just wonderful inspiration to a world of hurting people! Thankyou
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Such a beautiful story of redeeming love. Laura, I’m so glad you are sharing your story with others… as it frees you and frees those who hear/read it. Thank you. God is so good, isn’t He?! Much love to you today. (I’m following you at Crystal’s this week, too.)
Thank you Julie! God is so good.