Several years back, I encountered a joyful woman, \u201cMiss H.\u201d who was a catalyst placed to guide me on this path in the <\/span>ministry of the unexpected<\/b>. \u00a0Each time I visited a care facility where Miss H. resided, this wonderful human with vivid red hair caught my attention when passing her room. \u00a0For you see, there was a swirling rumor that she was only 104 at the time and this peaked my interest. Her face encouraged total strangers to engage and I finally took the invitation. When lurking into her room, she confirmed her \u201cyoung\u201d age was accurate, adding that her hair color was totally natural. Glowing, she said, \u201cthis is the nicest place with the sweetest people; more like a resort really.\u201d \u00a0Where was the stereotypical depressive affect I\u2019d had with my judgment assigned to her age? Launching into my best question, I charged ahead seeking the secret for her enthusiasm, optimism and longevity. Quickly responding, <\/span>\u201cI<\/b>\u2019ve never married<\/i><\/b>.\u201d <\/span><\/i>She added it was her choice to focus on meeting Gods\u2019 expectations but no others. It was also a point of pride that she was one of seven sisters and she was the only one who had never married and was still alive. This could be worthy of research on the life recommendations from centenarians. And now for the audience participation to guess Number 2. \u201d<\/span>I\u2019ve never had children<\/i><\/b>.\u201d she chirped. Note: In past speeches along my path, when mentioning Miss H and her lightening speed retort was surrounded by laughter. Counting heavily on tip number 3, we all breathlessly awaited her reply. I could almost hear a drum roll as she waxed eloquently on the final recommendation. Explaining like a seasoned professor, the most important thing is the last point . \u201cThe key is to <\/span>ENJOY <\/b>everyone you meet.\u201d \u00a0Now of course that is not always easy, because to enjoy really means to learn something from everyone you encounter. \u00a0It may be positive or not so positive but it must be something you retain from that person. By collecting these attributes of others, value is added to that person\u2019s impact on your circle of awareness. \u00a0This cannot help but enrich our perspectives of others over time by weaving a fabric of connectivity and humility for ourselves. Let me be clear that it is never a waste of energy to \u201cenjoy and remember\u201d what you have gained from each and every person, situation or context in life. \u00a0\u00a0The profoundness of her words has echoed in my consciousness and added immediately to inform my ministry. <\/span><\/p>\n An \u201c<\/span>unexpected ministry<\/b>\u201d is supported by mindfulness of one\u2019s impact on others but more importantly, the intentionality of the Holy Spirit in every moment . These are not encounters of the third kind or fleeting coincidences. They must be first and foremost with the multitude of God\u2019s children. The incumbency of noting or scanning for this presence yields wonder for our fellow humanity as well as an enthusiastic embrace of the Holy Spirit\u2019s tapping. <\/span><\/p>\n It is not our place as disciples in Christ\u2019s ministry to cherry -pick who is valuable, worthy of being listened to or deemed to be part of our self-constructed sphere of interest. God created all people. Christ learned from and valued all people. Consider that the Holy Spirit is the energy that motivates us for a \u201c<\/span>ministry of the unexpected<\/b>“.\u00a0 \u201cWhy even the hairs of your head are all numbered, Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.\u201d (Luke 12:7) God values us. Jesus listens to us. The Holy Spirit guides us\u2026unexpectedly. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n About the Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n Abilene has been my home since 1979. Today, I am a full -time, non-traditional, face to face, graduate student at ACU, deeply diving into two Masters; Christian Ministry and Social Work. Having leaped off the path as an R.N. and elected official, my new life through God\u2019s Grace is a humbling blessing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Unexpected Ministry by Susan King Stepping on to the floor of my tiny apartment, thoughts of my perceived \u201cministry\u201d are revealed daily. \u00a0Through the haze of less than optimal sleep, seeking coffee heightens my awareness for my newest discoveries. \u00a0Initially, I did not recognize the ministry\u2019s existence until friends relentlessly needled me, inferring I was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12095,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[574],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-students"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.acu.edu\/acugst\/files\/2018\/11\/IMG_0269-490x368.jpg\")
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