Questioning the Call

I recently had a conversation with a friend who moved to California for her husband’s career.  A few months ago, her husband unexpectedly resigned his job and is currently receiving unemployment as he looks for a new job.  As my friend described the upheaval in her life, I could hear rolling tears and sniffles over our sketchy cell connection.  "It's hard for me to really believe God called us here—all the way across the country—to not be working in the field that my husband has passion for."  I just listened as she poured out her pain over the stress this situation was causing on their marriage, financial security, family relationships, and overall mental health. 

She asked the kinds of questions any of us would ask: Had they made a mistake? Did they not clearly hear God’s call to take this job?  If so, why was it turning out so badly?  Had their egos gotten in the way of God’s call?   Why was it so hard? 

Our conversation got me thinking about the many times I've questioned God's call for me and my life. Similar questions have arisen for me at times throughout my adult years. It wasn't long after we moved to Germany that I wondered why God had sent us to a foreign land that was so harsh and unforgiving and so far from family and friends.  And truth be told, I wondered that more than once in the 13 years we lived there.  

Even in my most recent call here to Prince of Peace and Northern Virginia, I've had moments where I've questioned why God sent us here.  I don't think I'm unusual in that respect. As humans, we always long for what we don't have or what we had before, especially if it includes a season of challenge, uncertainty, and loss.

Seasons of uncertainty can occur in any area of our life.  For example, it’s tempting to question your commitment to your marriage when the relationship is not as easy and fun as when you were newlyweds. The call of motherhood or fatherhood may feel overwhelming when you face day after day of taxiing kiddos around or changing dirty diapers.  When you’re single and all your friends are moving in together or having pre-marital sex, you may question God’s call to celibacy and purity. And living like Christ and modeling love can be extremely tough when that neighbor or family member really gets under your skin.

So what is it that enables us to remain strong and steadfast in the moments and seasons of life when we question our call and commitment? What keeps us rooted when life turns a new direction and things don’t turn out as we had expected or when tough times come our way?

When the questions of our calling surfaces (and they will come), the promises of God keep us strong and steadfast in the midst of the swirling questions.  When I was yearning for a sense of home and questioning why God placed my family in Germany, I clung to Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  Through these words God reassured me He was my safe place, my home, the only One who could comfort and give me the peace my soul longed for.

And it’s been in the safe space of God’s wide open arms where I’ve learned this:  God desires to grow me through the questioning process, and this growth is also part of the call that He invites me to say yes to.  Sometimes it’s not about a job, a role, a place on the map.  It’s about Jesus Christ growing me more and more into His likeness.  And if we are honest with ourselves, this kind of growth usually happens when we are on our knees, in full surrender, clinging only to the Lord and His promises. 

When we answer the call to question and surrender, we can say with St. Paul in full understanding and confidence, “that is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

What a mystery…a mystery we are called to embrace in times of questioning our call.

 reprinted with permission from the Prince of Peace lutheran Church blog-
encourage-encourage-nova

Stacey likes refers to herself as a “beautiful mess” who is learning to embrace the messiness of her life and live gracefully and authentically within it.  She likes to create and enjoys the places it takes her.  Stacey is married to Jeff and together they have two beautiful, very independent, strong-willed girls who are also learning to love and give love authentically.  Jeff and Stacey are a family fighting for slow in northern Virginia after living in Germany for thirteen years.  Stacey enjoys having friends over to her house, spending time with her family at home and on the road, reading, painting, basking in the sun, and encouraging others to move out in courage to live and share God’s love.

LWML resources- Collaborative Work

The LWML- Lutheran Women's Missionary League- just posted their first FREE printable coloring resources. It’s a collaborative process, with reviews and approvals by LWML leaders and pastoral counselors, to provide visual faith and creative craft resources.

The proposal for the first set came from Eden Keefe, Vice President of Christian Life, and included the featured verses, sizes, and formats (notecards 4/page and four narrow versions for use as bookmarks or Bible margins). 

Then the graphic designer added the visual elements and put it in the final format. Melissa Merker, LWML Graphics Team Coordinator, designed this set. 

(partial image here)

Melissa, would you tell us your process for putting together the visual elements for these resources? Are they computer generated?

“Yes, they are computer generated. They are patterns found on stock photography sites using vector graphics. I edited a bit but not much. I used the frames to highlight the verses and the LWML logo. I wanted the words to be the center piece of the design.”

Once Melissa finished the design layout both resources were sent for final approval and then placed on the LWML website. The FREE printables are available here:
LWML creative-crafts
They are being promoted through social media. We would love to see how you have colored them and learn how you will use them!

Eden Keefe attends Bethlehem Lutheran Church
 in Aiken, South Carolina.
 Melissa Merker attends Jordan Lutheran Church

 in Apex, North Carolina ,where her husband serves as pastor.  

Three young children keep her very busy. 

We give thanks for their collaborative work for the LWML 

and the available resources for all to use. 

Elizabeth Romeo- Central Region

Elizabeth Romeo

Sometimes it is a whole lot of fun to see 

artful blossoming. 

That has been the story in the past 

couple of years watching 

the work of Elizabeth.

1. What is one of the blessings that you have from time in God's Word with Bible Journaling?

The biggest blessing I've received from the act of Bible Journaling is feeling more connected to the Word 

and remembering what I've read. I've made a visual link between the text and my experience of reading the text. 

I have always been a creative and artistic person so when my mom asked me if I wanted to go to a Bible Journaling

event in Fall 2015, I was definitely excited to check it out 

but I had no idea how much that day would change my spiritual life. Through the Bible Journaling community, 

I have also been blessed with a network of incredible ladies who not only teach me artistic techniques but also inspire 

me to dive into the Word.

2. What is a surprise that you have learned along

 the way?

A surprise that I've learned through Bible Journaling is how God would use it as a tool for me to talk to my friends 

(both Christian and non-Christian) about my faith practice and show a different method of exploring the Word. I don't know where He will take this, but I'm excited to see it develop! 

Thank you to Elizabeth of sharing some

 of her beautiful margin responses. 

We are thankful for the ways the Lord

 is using this witness tool in her life.

Elizabeth is a social worker and currently works 

in the Fairfax County school system 

with preschool students. 

Elizabeth and her husband, Ross, have been married for four years.

  She loves going to the beach and definitely finds waves very calming.

 She has been a member at St. John's  Lutheran Church 

in Alexandria VA since birth.

Baptized and confirmed there, she now teaches Sunday School

 to four year olds in this faith community. 

Beth Schleusener- Southern Region

Beth Schleusener -

with husband Rev. Dave Schleusener

Beth shared her response to the following questions-
sharing from the perspective of a Christian working in a secular setting.

What brings you JOY right now as you work in the public school setting?  

I have an ever-present feeling that I am doing something that truly matters. Since most of our kiddos will be public school educated, we can’t afford to give up on public education. I am blessed to work in the high school that served my own daughters quite well.

What is one of your greatest challenges?  

Observing warning signs that our culture is becoming more fractured. Yesterday during the pledge of allegiance, I was in a classroom where three African American students sat with their heads bowed. We have students from (literally) all around the world at our school, but our African American student population is definitely self-segregating and participating less in school activities than other under-represented minorities. I want to contribute toward their good, but I have no idea what to do that will make a difference to them.

What do you see the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now?     

I see the Holy Spirit teaching me patience as I begin a new empty-nest phase, and wait for a new adventure to give me fresh energy. As a girl with life-long wanderlust, it’s good to practice “in God’s time.”

As a pastor's wife,how can you bring encouragement in your work setting to those all around you?     

Ha! It’s kind of ironic that even in our most secular, coarse surroundings, the title of “pastor’s wife” still has some clout. (Maybe it’s because I’m in the South!). I feel I receive a level of automatic respect at school as people hear my husband is a pastor (and a Navy Reserve Chaplain). So I work to hone my personal practice of truth - in Jesus Christ – so that everything, from my countenance to my conversations, will reflect my beliefs that are truly the foundation of my life. 

Thank you to Beth who works at Cary High School 

in Cary, North Carolina.

Her husband Dave is Associate Pastor

 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, North Carolina.

We give thanks for her witness and pray 

for her continued presence of hope to all that she encounters.

Arleen Bohlmann- Central Region

Sharing a Big Heart for Little Ones

You don't have to talk long with

 Arleen Bohlmann before the conversation

 turns to children.

"I've felt such blessings," 

says this former kindergarten teacher 

who continues to share her big heart for little ones

 as coordinator for LCEF's Young Investors 

(Y.I.) Club at Bethany Lutheran Church.

 http://www.bethanylcw.org/, Waynesboro, Virginia.

Those blessings include the two preschools

 Arleen helped start in mission congregations

 where her husband the Rev. Gordon Bohlmann,

 was called to serve.

At Park View Lutheran Church, Arleen, too, 

felt called "to step out in faith" 

and help open a Chrisitan preschool

 in the mid-1970's in that growing community

 near Davenport, Iowa. 

The early childhood ministry "exploded"

 and continues to thrive.

About 10 years later, the Bohlmanns 

moved to Springfield, Ohio, 

to "start a church from scratch."

Arleen again lent a hand at
 Risen Christ Lutheran Church

 and began a preschool- a ministry 

that has since expanded into a Christian day school.

After Pastor Bohlmann retired in 2003,

 he and Arleen- 

who served 28 years in teaching-

worked for congregations on three projects 

with LCEF's laborers for Christ. 

She enjoyed the camaraderie, 

"building relationships, working side by side 

and sharing the Lord over the hammers and nails."

The couple has also worked to "build up" young pastors 
and their wives with the Synod's Post- Seminary 
Applied Learning and Support (PALS) program.
 "It's a safe environment where they can talk 
about whatever they need to,"Arleen said. 
"We prayed with them and encouraged them."

 It was a wonderful mentoring experience.

About eight years ago the Bohlmanns 
moved to Waynesboro. 

That's where their three grandchildren
 were growing up and their son, Timothy, 

serves as pastor at Bethany Lutheran. 

The Bohlmanns also have a daughter. 
Rachel is an American history librarian 
at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Arleen needed no coaxing to take the reins of the

LCEF stewardship program for the children at Bethany.

"When children learn the godly disciplines 
of stewardship that benefits them for life," said Arleen. 

She appreciates that Y.I. Club helps youngsters

 learn the value of sharing, saving and spending money.

As Longtime LCEF investors, 
the Bohlmanns have seen first hand 
how investments strengthen ministries- 

at mission congregations as well as older churches

 tackling new construction. 

Founded in 1772, Bethany Lutheran is building

 a new church and preschool, 

working toward an LCEF loan partnership 

with the help of 
LCEF District Vice President Stephan Heemann.

"It will be even better for accommodating young children," 

said Arleen, who, to no one's surprise, 

sounds excited about the future early childhood center.

This article was first printed in 

interestime- the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, 2016, Issue 3.

Reprinted here with a few corrections.

Thank you to Arleen- who continues to serve in the Kingdom- 

wherever the Lord leads.