After graduating from Porter High School (where five generations of
my family have attended), I spent four years at Carson Newman College,
graduating in 1959 with a degree in English. I had an interest in writing,
but an opportunity became available to teach seventh grade language arts at Ross
N. Robinson Junior High, in Kingsport. During my ten years there, I met my
husband D (not a student but a teacher). We have been married 46
years.
I used to think God had something "special" for me and He always
has-just not what I thought of as special. In looking back, one "special"
opportunity after another has come my way. I have learned that my mission
field is the person in my path on any given day.
I have not been out of the country. However, over the years one
of my joys has been teaching. The first time I taught a Sunday School
class , it was during youth week at my church. It was the oldest
women's class. You would have thought Billy Graham had taught them!
They were wonderful encouragers.
Skipping to much later, I actually was able to bring God to the
classroom when I was teaching. Those days as I knew them, when we had
chapel once a week, had prayer, read devotional books-are gone. I do know
that as long as a Christian is teaching, God is still there.
After our "baby", Mindy, was born, I was privileged to be a
stay-at-home mom. What a blessing! I have also had the privilege of
teaching in our church-starting with the four year olds, then the same people as
eleventh and twelfth graders, then directing their weddings, then working with
their children in the nursery- "The Circle of Life". A
great blessing has been to see these young ladies now in places of
leadership where I once was.
In 1999, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and could not understand
how God could possibly use that. Was I wrong! A few years ago, two
or three of us felt God was calling us to start a cancer support group in
our church. Before it became a reality, one of us was called to
heaven (Anne Milam) . Therefore the name "Anne's Sisters" is in her
memory. Our group is the only church group I don't want to see grow-but it
does. In ministering to these dear current patients I have found myself
blessed and humbled immeasurably. I have learned so much from the women
going through the very worst that cancer can throw at you-by the grace of
God.
When I was diagnosed with cancer, my wonderful Christian doctor
quoted a scripture verse to me: "In every thing give thanks, for this is the
will of God in Christ concerning you." I know now why he chose it. God
can use any circumstance unique to you to minister to someone else that no one
else can.
It seems that grocery stores have often played a part in my
ministry. It was at a grocery store around 1975 that I met Sandy Allen, an
old teacher friend, who introduced me to Indian Springs Baptist Church.
There have been God's special times for me in common settings, but especially
the grocery store. My latest opportunity was in the produce department of
Food City. I was discussing the quality of their corn with a lady and found that
she is going through some really bad times with cancer now. We had some
words, some tears and a prayer in the produce department. Hope the manager
didn't mind! I don't think it is against the law, is it?
As I get older, I have to keep convincing myself that God is never
through with us-and I understand that anything done in his name is
"special".
My favorite song-and philosophy of life is in this song, "Not Too Far From Here", by Michael Crawford:
Somebody's down to their last dime
Somebody's running out of time
Not too far from here
Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here
And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me, Lord
To wipe away the tears
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me
And take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Somebody's running out of time
Not too far from here
Somebody's got nowhere else to go
Somebody needs a little hope
Not too far from here
And I may not know their name
But I'm praying just the same
That You'll use me, Lord
To wipe away the tears
'Cause somebody's crying
Not too far from here
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
It may be a stranger's face
But I'm praying for Your grace
To move in me
And take away the fear
'Cause somebody's hurting
Not too far from here
Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest, while those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds, the road of life too steep
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Now I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak Your love
To every needful ear
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Someone is waiting
(Waiting)
Not too far from here
Help me, Lord, not to turn away from pain
Help me not to rest, while those around me weep
Give me Your strength and compassion
When somebody finds, the road of life too steep
Somebody's troubled and confused
Somebody's got nothing left to lose
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Somebody's forgotten how to trust
And somebody's dying for love
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Now I'm letting down my guard
And I'm opening my heart
Help me speak Your love
To every needful ear
Someone is waiting
Not too far from here
(Not too far)
Someone is waiting
(Waiting)
Not too far from here
Submitted by Kathy Neal
Women's Ministry Communications Coordinator
