Another rainy day in May. Welcome, I’m glad you are joining me.

I find myself frequently reflecting on some of life’s lessons. My sister-in-law, Suzan, recently confirmed that it seems to be the norm as we age. She can say that without concern of being offensive because she and I are the same age. 😊

I believe these life lessons not only teach us, but are to be shared to help others, possibly.

Therefore, I would like to tell you about something I said I would never do, but discovered it was exactly what God had planned for me. In this instance, it was about becoming a massage therapist.

When I was very young, my dreams and aspirations were to have a loving husband and children. And a family would not be complete without a dog and, hopefully, a cat. I imagined four children would be a good number. Having a boy, then a girl, another boy, ending with another girl would be ideal in my young mind. I wanted to be the wife and momma extraordinaire within a modest lifestyle. Conservative, nothing big and flashy was my style. At that age, “storybook life” (without the castles and servants) was the path my thoughts were on. You can tell I didn’t know much about life, can’t you?

While in my late teens, I met and married my loving husband, who shared the idea of four children being ideal. By God’s perfect design, His grace, and working miracles, He gave us two baby girls and a son. I believe every birth is a miracle of God, but we had some challenges that indicated we would only have one. God proved again that He would accomplish His plans for us, and He gave us the “just right” family. My heart fills with gratitude, and a little smile comes across my face when I think of how God provided for every need during those difficult pregnancies. And our girls and our son are truly gifts from our Creator Himself.

I must add that those dreams did not include being a career Navy wife by any stretch of the imagination. But that’s how it turned out, and I can safely say the wife and momma extraordinaire didn’t pan out too well, either. Lol! But God knew all along that He would use every step of the way to teach me, shape me, and grow my trust and faith in Him and His plans for me. And at 70 years old, I say with confidence, He is continuing to do that. I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “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 a future and a hope”. And Romans 8:28 NKJV “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose”.

Nineteen years later, as David was approaching retirement from his naval career, I asked the Lord to help me find a way to assist financially as he transitioned into the civilian world. Step by step, in unexpected ways, He used people, places, and things to lead me on a specific path for a greater purpose. I was hired to train as a Physical Therapy Technician one year before David’s retirement date and our subsequent move to Texas.

In this training, I was unknowingly stepping into the world of the benefits of massage therapy. I wanted that job desperately, so I had to overcome the negativity that I had developed toward massage. Namely, that massages were for the ultra-rich for indulgence and luxury, or the purpose of prostitution. Some of you understand, and some are thinking, “How bizarre.” Unfortunately, in America, we have lost the art of appropriate caring, healing touch as a modality for treatment. Although it has been a long process, natural remedies are making a huge comeback. I, for one, am grateful the Lord was patient in teaching me that massage is where He was directing me, although I was still saying I would never be a Massage Therapist. I thought of Physical Therapy as my safe place. But I later found it was the initial instrumental door God would use to open a new world awaiting me. I would learn not to say “never” to God’s plans.

But wait, don’t think it was easy. It required numerous therapists teaching me and encouraging me by having me perform most of the massages that our patients needed. I repeatedly experienced the fulfilment of hearing patients say, “Her massage was the most beneficial aspect of my therapy program”. Yes, I had to hear that over and over again to confirm that God was using me for that purpose; caring, healing touch, in a world where it was lacking. Meanwhile, my family and friends confirmed that the massage was the best thing yet. God was waiting for me to learn to trust Him more with a gift He had given me.

Seven years later, after our move to Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and then back to Arkansas, I was gaining the courage to consider getting my massage license and moving out of the “nest” of physical therapy. But, no, I still needed assurance that I would not be throwing myself to the wolves by making that move. I was living like the ones who stayed in the boat, instead of Peter walking on the water. No condemnation, just the plain and simple truth of where I was in my walk with the Lord. Oh, how I am so thankful for my patient and long-suffering Lord!

The move made logical and financial sense, but there were those nagging questions like, “What will people think of me?” “Will I be safe with men?” “Am I too old to remember all those bones and muscles?” “How will I work full-time and take classes at night with all of my other responsibilities?” “How will we pay for the school?” and on and on.

With the encouragement of my entire family, friends, and fellow physical therapy coworkers, I decided it was a valid option. So, I continued to pray about it for several more years! I know, it doesn’t look good for a woman of faith, but fear of stepping into unknown waters is real. For me, stepping out of God’s will was even more frightening!  And yes, fear is paralyzing. Therefore, I could not move forward until I heard from the Lord what His will for me was.

One day, as I was on my twenty-five-minute drive to work, I was in serious conversation with the Lord again. I needed to hear from Him! As I was finally ready to shut my thoughts and questions out, I made this statement, “Lord, I just want to do Your will, but I need to know for certain this is what You have for me. And then I listened. This is what I heard, “Reba, you keep asking Me My will, and I keep showing you. Why do you keep asking?” I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, took a deep breath, and responded immediately with, “Ok Lord, I will, but I need Your help all the way!” That is all I needed to let go and let God do what He wanted to do all along. No, I did not hear an audible voice, but I knew without any doubt that it was Him speaking to me. John 10:27 NKJV “My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me”. I knew His voice when I shut up and listened. I was ready to follow!

One by one, the Lord answered every need in abundance. He was undeniably with me all the way. More than I had asked for. He provided the finances. The rehab hospital, our satellite clinic operated under, paid for my training in full. He led me to a new school where I would be part of her first class. He gave me the ability to make the highest score in the class, even as the oldest student and the only one working a full-time job. As the valedictorian, the award was named after me for the following students at this new school. He protected me and taught me that what He thinks of me (not others) is the most important thing to know. He was always with me, forever faithful and consistently showing Himself trustworthy. Why would I ever say never to Him?

I received my massage license in January 1997, then my master’s license in 1999. That same year, I left the “nest” and launched out on my own to continue using the gift He gave me for another thirteen years. I humbly admit that I stumbled along the way. Each time, I was forgiven and set back on the right path again. Remember Peter denied Jesus three times, and the Lord still loved him, forgave him, and used Him in mighty ways. The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He will do this for you, too.

I would like to close with a quote that I saw on social media. I think it applies to me, and maybe you also.

“Don’t ever tell God what you’ll never do. He will have you nevering like you’ve never ever nevered before”! Lol!

And I say, “There’s never ever anything better than nevering for God”!

Another quote that Michael Jordan is credited with… “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”.

I, for one, have learned that fear is one of Satan’s biggest weapons against us, and those illusions agree with his lies!

May this help you reflect on your moments of saying never to see if fear has held you back from all that God has for you. Present your concerns to the Lord and then listen. Be willing to leave your place of “safety”. Step out of the boat. Follow Him into a whole new world that He is inviting you to live in. His abundance!

Reba