Ordinary

The following passage is not from my own journal but from the book Kisses From Katie. In this book, Katie talks about her own life and how she journeys to Uganda and adopts many children. These are her personal reflections that have really resonated with me. I feel as though I could have written these words as they reflect my heart as well.

“Ordinary People.

He chose Moses. He chose David. He chose Peter and Paul. He chose me. He chose you. Common People. Simple people. People with nothing special about them. Nothing special except they said yes. They obeyed. They took the task God assigned them and they did it. They didn’t always do it well, but they said yes, and with His help they did it anyway.

Ordinary tasks.

Moses was a murderer, a shepherd just trying to mind his own business and move on with his life when he watched a bush catch fire and not burn up. God wanted to use him to lead His chosen people out of Egypt. Moses was human and told God that He had the wrong guy. Moses wasn’t an eloquent speaker, and he was afraid. But he said yes and God used him anyway. The Red Sea parted, break fell from Heaven, and people believed.

Jonah was an ordinary fisherman and God wanted to use him to set Ninevah free from its wicked ways. Jonah was human and ran away, overwhelmed by the task God had given him. From the belly of a fish, he repented, he begged for forgiveness. He said yes, and God used him anyway. The people of Ninevah believed in God, turned from their evil ways, and were spared from destruction.

David was a shepherd boy, pretty much the runt of the litter, the very last thought in his father’s mind, and despised by his brothers. God wanted to use him to be the next great king of Israel. Though everyone doubted and watched in horror, David said yes, and God used him anyway. Little David used a stone to take down the giant Philistine. The Philistines were defeated, and though David continued to make mistakes, God used him to make Israel a great nation and relay His words to many people.

Mary was a peasant girl, probably a teenager, getting ready to marry a local carpenter. God wanted to use her to carry His Son, hope for all mankind into the world. She asked the angel, “Why me?” and “How?” Ultimately, though, she surrendered herself to His will. She said yes, and God used her anyway. A baby was born who transformed the world then, and still does today.

Paul was a young man who made it his goal to destroy Christianity, dragging believers to prison and even killing them. God wanted to use him to proclaim his name to the Gentiles all over the world. Paul had a violent history and initially other believers were afraid. But he said yes, he fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel, and God used him anyway. Paul performed and witnessed miracles, wrote close to half of the Bible, and spread the Good News all over the world.

Sometimes the everyday routine of my life feels so normal to me. At other times the idea of raising all these children seems like a daunting task. I realize that since I have chosen an unusual path it is easier for outsiders to look at my life and come to the conclusion that is something extraordinary. That I am courageous. That I am strong. That I am special. But I am just a plain girl from Tennessee. Broken in many ways, sinful, and inadequate. Common and simple with nothing special about me. Nothing special except that I choose to say “yes”. “Yes” to the things God asks of me and “yes” to the people He places in front of me. You can too. I am just an ordinary person. An ordinary person serving an extraordinary God.” – Kisses From Katie, p. 113-115

“People from my first home say I’m brave. They tell me I’m strong. They pat me on the back an say, “Way to go. Good job.” But the truth is, I am not really very brave; I am not really very strong; and I’m not doing anything spectacular. I am simply doing what God has called me to do as a person who follows Him. He said to feed His sheep and He said to care for “the least of these”, so that’s what I’m doing, with the help of a lot of people who make it possible and in the company of those who make my life worth living.” – Kisses From Katie, p. 95-96