This is a guest post from my friend, Rachel Burns, who is a youth worker in OH. She does it all: wife, mother, daughter, youth pastor, vegetarian, leader at SYMC, writer, etc. I had planned this post for later, but it was SO good on this Good Friday -? I can’t wait. The “Outta Control” series will return in a few days.? Here’s Rachel’s voice:

From Rachel Burns,

? As my eyes fluttered open, I knew it was way too early, but there I was.? It was still dark out. My bedroom was blue from the TV I had left on all night. Slowly I became coherent of what was happening on the screen.? A talk show host was interviewing troubled teen-age girls and their parents.? The stories were heart wrenchingly painful and inwardly, I panicked. I turned off the television and stared at the darkness, heart and mind racing over the future.?

Had it only been five months since a group of teenagers helped me clean out my house so I could move across the state? Those teenagers had captured my heart.? I knew their troubles and joys, passions and anger. For 3 years, I had lifted their sweet spirits to the Lord on a daily basis. ? ? ?

You see, my husband’s career traveled in a new direction, leading our family to a new promised land. Our call from God was clear so we had to follow.? I dreamt of being the perfect stay at home mom, free from evening meetings, church duties. We’d live a simple life.

? What I didn’t know when we moved was that 5 months later, God would push me harder than I’d ever been pushed before, out of my comfort zone and into something new. ? ?

So, back to my early morning. I was scared. I had emailed my resume to a church looking for a Youth Director.? What was I thinking?? Could I really love a new group of students like I had loved my old youth group?? Was I ready to take on the troubles and joys, passions and anger of more teens?? Did God really want me to spend time with other children, away from my own?

My mind was swirling with the possibilities.? Though I felt weak, God felt strong and secure.? I had to trust.? I had to let go and let God take control.?

Flip the calendar ahead. It’s been 7 months since I said “Yes” to God, and stepped out in faith to serve at a new church.? Though it’s not always been easy, I’ve found that God’s blessings are abundant when we are obedient to His call.? , I’ve discovered that not only does the ministry thrive, but so are my life and my family. Praise God for new beginnings and fulfilling my dream of joyful ministry and family, all wrapped up into one! ? ?