Necessity as a Guide to Call

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Three different lives speak to me about necessity as a guide to CALL and GIFTS.

Anne Beiler grew up in an Amish-Mennonite Christian home and knew she would try to serve God in whatever capacity she could. She married at 19, had three daughters and watched her life change drastically after the death of her second daughter in a farm accident.

This crisis brought troubled emotional times for about ten years. It also created the dream of developing a free family counseling center. To finance that dream, Anne sold pizza, soft ice cream and pretzels.

One day she added a few additional ingredients to the dough and Auntie Anne's pretzel was the result. Now many airports feature Auntie Anne's Pretzels. The family counseling center is supported by the corporate profits and we can all enjoy the pretzels whenever we travel or shop. Anne was faithful and God was faithful.

This morning, my friend, Joan LaClair, called to report good news. One of her students has just qualified for the Olympic swim trials at the unusually young age of 13. When this young student began her lessons, Joan recognized her strong legs and told her parents she would be a very fast swimmer because of the strength of her kick. The child's mother joked with Joan saying "I thought you just wanted to make lots of money by giving her lots of lessons." Even though they have moved to Florida, the Olympic qualifier has stayed in touch to thank her for help over the years.

As a woman of faith Joan acknowledges God in her life constantly and consistently. Years ago as she faced the possibility of divorce she prayed this prayer, "God give me something to do so that I may be of service but also make a living."

Joan started out at the YMCA making $8,000 a year. Advancement at the Y did not include enough money to make a living, so Joan started her own swim school. Over the years, the school has provided income to buy her home, educate her children, provide for her retirement and provide the best swimming instruction for thousands of children in Fairfield County Connecticut. Joan was faithful and God was faithful.

As the current director of the Women's Perspective for Ministry of Money, I can look back and see God's hand in my life, propelling me toward work that I love.

As the only child of a widow who worked all her life, I became aware early on just how important financial empowerment was to women. While working as a financial planner in a commercial bank setting, I realized women were simply not prepared to be financially literate and competent money managers. It had nothing to do with ability it simply had to do with education.

As a result, I developed educational opportunities for women in many formats and forums. During this time I noticed that many women view money from a heart-centered rather than a head-centered place. Women are often willing to use a spiritual lens in money matters, asking "What would God want me to do in this situation?" It is interesting that the biblical authors have given wisdom the female name of Sophia. Perhaps this heart-centered spiritual view is wise!

Some years ago, a minister gave me information about the Ministry of Money, the organization I work with today. Eventually I made the decision to give up an established career as a financial planner to work with people who are struggling to be faithful and make grace-filled financial choices. God was pulling me along all the while. Rosemary, finally faithful, God always faithful.

Question:

1. Do you have a memory of an early spiritual influence around money or work? 
2. Describe it in a journal entry. Establish a reconnection with this spirituality. Set aside a time to do this. Establish a morning ritual.