Week 141
Positive post Sunday, October 27, 2019- Week 141.
My family and close friends who are on Facebook and who have been following my Positive Post Sundays already knew what I was going to post this Sunday, “The Journey to the Board”. You have likely heard the saying, “All good things take time”, or as Father Eric shared during his sermon this past week, don’t give up on your prayers. These sayings remind me of a few things, that although we think we are all in charge of our lives and timing, we are on God’s schedule not our own, and that if we work hard, pray vigilantly, stay committed and have patience, our prayers will eventually be answered. The answer may not always come as quickly as we would like, or even be the answer we want, but if we stay faithful and committed to our cause, or goal, we will see that God’s schedule and plan for us will set a path that ultimately guides us to everlasting life.
Well, that leads me to focus of my post this week. Many of you know that my wife, Michele Rendler ran for a position on the Redlands Unified School District Board of Education last November. With the support of our wonderful family and friends, and with over 25 years of experience and service to our schools and community, she ran an amazing grassroots campaign. Unfortunately, although she worked very hard and prayed often, she fell just short of winning. This was her second attempt, as she applied for a vacant position on the Board a few years back. As you might expect, she was very disappointed, and it would certainly have been understandable if she got discouraged and curtailed all her volunteer and leadership work, especially since most of it has been within the educational community. Well, as a woman of faith and service, she accepted that it was not God’s will at those times and she not only continued her service to our schools and community, she took on additional leadership roles.
Fast forward 9 months, and the position Michele ran for became open (our prayers are with the Board member who resigned due to family obligations). The School Board decided to seek applicants to fill the remaining 3 years of the term rather than holding a special election. With her passion and drive to serve on the Board she once again put her name back in the hat and applied. I jokingly remarked to Michele that this will be either “the third time is a charm”, or “three strikes and you’re out”. Working hard and not giving up on her prayers, Michele interviewed for the appointment this past Thursday, October 24th, and I’m very pleased the School Board valued and recognized her extensive and relevant experience and appointed Michele to join them on the Board!
I couldn’t be prouder. I have learned so much from Michele throughout her journey to the Board. She stayed faithful, positive, engaged and committed to her goal to serve all the students as a Board member when many would have just given up. Her prayers were answered according to God’s schedule, and now, with his grace, all her hard work and service within our schools and community earned her the opportunity to serve at an even greater level. I am certain she will serve with the same modesty, integrity, passion and commitment she has demonstrated over the past 25+ years of service. She is a true savant leader.
What prayers do you have that haven’t been answered? Do you have the resilience to stay the course and not give up? Will you accept God’s answers to your prayers and have faith that his answers will ultimately guide you to everlasting life?