May
26
The Impact of “Yes” -
Written by Pamela. Filed Under Spiritual Training
“And the things that you have heard me say… entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.” — 2 Timothy 2:2
Yes is a very small but powerful word. After saying “yes” to an invitation, I had no idea how my decision would eventually impact the lives of others, not to mention my own life.
During the first year of our marriage, while living in a desolate place on a military base in central
My “yes,” however, aggravated some of my greatest fears: you can’t, you’re not qualified, and what if you fail. But I soon discovered I wasn’t alone.
God already had connected me with an older mentor, Margaret, who agreed to coach me. She showed me how to encourage the young women and how to challenge them to grow spiritually.
There were many times, though, while leading that I felt like a failure. But Margaret continued to pray for me, patiently helped me work through the various challenges, and encouraged me to not give up.
As families transferred in and out of the area, the group changed—but new women kept coming. And one of those new women was Maureen, the wife of an F-18 pilot. Our friendship developed quickly, and I invited her to join the Bible study. For Maureen, her response of “yes” also proved to be life-changing.
As we studied the Bible, Maureen soon realized that she didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. While at home one morning, she said “yes” to Jesus’ invitation. And she gave Him control of her life. She couldn’t wait to tell me about her decision to follow Him.
Not only did Maureen and I enjoy a friendship, but a new friendship also had sprouted between our preschool-aged daughters, Mary and Mallory. Moms and daughters alike looked forward to seeing each other. . . however, our time ended when we were both transferred.
But our paths crossed again. Twenty years later, both our daughters married naval aviators. And amazingly, within a few months after marriage, Mary and Mallory moved to the same area, as their husbands went through flight training.
Recently, Mary and Mallory have laughed as they discuss their mothers. Mary told Mallory, “My mom cries every time I mention our friendship.” And Mallory responded, “Yeah, my mom said if it wasn’t for the Bible study, our family wouldn’t know Jesus.” And both moms have found their own reasons to laugh, too.
God ignited a friendship between Maureen and me and He reconnected our daughters. Our daughters now enjoy the legacy of a friendship that started when their mothers responded with a “yes.”
Leading a small Bible study on a military base in central California—where there were more cattle than people—proved to be more powerful than I could ever have imagined. Not only did it impact Maureen and me, but it also influenced our daughters twenty years later. And it all started by saying “yes.”
Questions to Share:
1. In your life, where is God inviting you to say “yes”?
2. Identify your greatest fear that keeps you from responding and commit how you will take three specific steps of obedience to God.