There have been a number of times in my life when I felt what I call a “holy nudge” and knew I had to act or change the course of my direction. Many were insignificant long-term but they still required a response on my part. However, there are three times where that “nudge” took me in a direction and path that changed the course of my life and others as well.
The first was when I was expecting our second child. I had been working full-time after our first child’s arrival with the plan to be a stay-at-home mom when the second arrived and also begin homeschooling our oldest. I knew I would need some supplemental income but wasn’t sure exactly where or how that would come about. I was presented with a business opportunity in a direct sales company, and for SOME reason, I knew that was what I was supposed to do. Now I knew the average success for people in direct sales was not great, and I knew that this would involve moving me WAY out of my comfort zone with public speaking and needing fashion knowledge. So even though this was totally out of character as a shy, introverted, soft-spoken person, I had a peace about it that I can only describe as from above. That business, of course, had its ups and downs but over the course of the next 25 years, there were a solid ten years in the middle where my income provided beyond what we expected for our now family of five. In fact, several years my income came close to doubling that of my husband’s! The years it was the strongest were during those most expensive junior high to high school ages when our kids were involved in several Club sports, horse competitions, school trips and activities. God’s timing was impeccable. Beyond that, I personally grew in ways I never could have imagined, did things I did not think were possible, and made lifelong friendships with people all around the country. When I stop to think what our lives would have been like if I had let my fear stand in the way and said “no way” … I can’t and don’t want to imagine.
The second was on a Sunday sitting in church. Our middle child was getting ready to graduate from high school and as I had been looking for an active college-age group, I kept seeing that there was very little going on for that age group. I was pretty frustrated about it and couldn’t believe that in a church our size, no one had stepped up to make this important age a priority. As I was sitting there complaining about that fact to my husband, I got the “nudge.” And it said, “Why not you?” Now beyond volunteering to rock babies in the nursery once a month over the years, my desire to work with “kids” was non-existent. I always said I was more of an adult kind of person—and other than my own, teenagers scared me! But the “nudge” (more like a push!) was so strong and persistent, I knew I had to at least follow through to see where it led. It wasn’t too many weeks before we were involved with another couple who took the lead but were so encouraged to have others standing with them, and we began to invest ourselves into these young people. Eventually, I was “nudged” again to begin a weekly Bible study in my home for the girls. Some brought friends and we ended up with about ten consistent, committed young ladies. These girls became my heart and soul as we met together over the next five years. We cried together (I think I cried the most sharing my life with them!), laughed together, and ate more bags of popcorn than I can count. They have shared with me numerous times how important their relationship with me was during that pivotal time in their lives. And I felt so blessed as I knew I was able to say the things to them their mom would want to tell them but they would be unable to hear it, and direct them to the Lord as they were making such important life decisions during that season. I am still in touch with several of them on a regular basis and they continue to bless me. What would have happened if I had said, “No thank you … I don’t do “kids” and I don’t have the time?” How would their lives be different? How would mine? So grateful I listened.
The last “nudge” I felt was the direction to start this blog. It wasn’t on my radar but continued to come up as I was looking for ways to make extra income from home and keep my flexible schedule I had grown accustomed to. At first I thought there was no way my experiences and knowledge base could come together in any way to make sense in a blog. But as I continued to take baby steps, I soon began to see patterns emerging of how I could make it happen. Now this blog is still new, but because of my history with “nudges” in the past, I am so excited to see what plans God has for this and our future.
So what was the point of writing this besides sharing my story? Here’s the point … what “nudges” have you had that have changed your life and the lives of those around you? What nudges have you ignored, but now are wondering what might have happened if you had listened? What will you do, the next time you feel a “holy nudge?” We are emotional creatures, so if you are not accustomed to knowing the difference between a nudge and a feeling, proceed cautiously. If you are in God’s Word regularly, talk to Him often, and read books that help you understand more about God’s truth, you should know the difference between an idea that may create either a positive or negative emotion and a “peace that passes all understanding.” You will just know.
Does that mean it’s all going to go smoothly and fall into place? Heavens, no! There have been more frustrations, disappointments and setbacks than I can even count. But at the end of the day, the parts that count are the relationships made, the influence shared, and most of all, being obedient to God. I hope I will continue to respond to God’s “holy nudges” when they come my way; and I hope you will be looking for them with expectancy as well. I would love to hear your experiences with the “nudges” in your life in the comments below.
