I am a Child of the King

Guest post by Cindie Thomas

I lived my life, distracted, for many years. I would take a job, do my best, but after awhile I’d get bored and quit. In my personal life, I also was surrounded by “UFO’s”…unfinished objects lying around. I had different hobbies and loved doing a variety of things, but I could never focus on one for long.

I used to think that maybe I had a touch of Attention Deficit Disorder, but now I know that I had never really prayed about what God’s purpose for my life was.

About six years ago my relationship with the Lord grew deeper and I began praying earnestly about what I should be doing with my life. I knew that I was not doing all that God wanted me to do and missing out on what He called me to be doing for His glory.

I clung to Jeremiah 29:11-13: “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 hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

I began paying attention in this season. I researched “life purpose” online, bought several books, reading them cover to cover – but nothing was clicking. In September of 2005 I was browsing through the local Christian book store and came across the book, Pathway to Purpose for Women, by Katie Brazelton. I read the jacket cover and then thought, “No, I am not going to buy another self-help book.”

I put it down and continued browsing, but felt God’s Holy Spirit nudging me to go and look at Katie’s book once more. I sat in a chair and began reading the introduction. Katie had written about Mother Teresa telling her that if God wants us to serve Him in a specific way, that we will know it without a shadow of a doubt. That one sentence grabbed my attention and I decided to buy the book.

When I read it, I began to see patterns and themes that had presented themselves in my life, but I had purposefully chosen to ignore them. As a woman who hadn’t finished college and one who also had a painful past, I didn’t believe that God would choose to use me. I realized that I had let my past define me. I hadn’t believed that in God’s eyes, I had worth and value. As I stopped to reflect on Mother Teresa’s life, a light bulb came on. Mother Teresa and Katie were ordinary women, but they chose to do extraordinary things for God.

I read the book cover to cover in two evenings and then decided I should try to find out more about Katie Brazelton, so I found her website online. Her bio stated that she was a Licensed Minister and Director of Women’s Ministries at Saddleback Community Church. She was also a Certified Christian Plan Facilitator and host of other credentials.

What piqued my interest was that she had recently started a program to train women to become Life Purpose Coaches and her dream was to open 200 coaching centers worldwide for women.

As I sat there and read, I knew how blessed women would be from this. I knew the struggle firsthand. I felt that God was calling me to become a part of Katie’s vision, and in some small way He could use me, yes even me, as a vessel for change.

I was interested and I sent off an email to Katie, not really expecting a response. That afternoon I received a response via a phone call from Katie herself, explaining the program in greater detail. I prayed about it and shortly thereafter sent off my application to train to become a Christian Life Coach. I felt that I was finally being obedient to God’s call, because for many years His Holy Spirit had been nudging me to use the painful moments from my life to help other women. He was also calling me to write, but I had always said: “No, not me, Lord. There are lots of other women who would be willing to share their stories and are more qualified. Use them.”

One of the most valuable parts of the program was that you had to be coached by another woman who had already completed the program in order to be certified. I interviewed several of the women whose
names had been given to me, and chose Terry, who had called to welcome me into the program. I knew within minutes of our conversation that this was a divine appointment because we connected immediately over the phone.

The coaching experience was amazing. It brought clarity to the dreams that God had placed in my heart, those dreams that I had postponed for far too long. My stories needed to be told. The pain in my life had a purpose. My struggles could help others because I had walked in their shoes.

On the last day when I was in Laguna Beach, staring out the Conference Room’s window, Katie came and stood next to me. She said something I have never forgotten. She reminded me that I am the daughter of a Most High King. She said as I began to fulfill my purpose, that just as I was witnessing the splendor of the ocean, I would one day stand amazed at the majesty of the God who rescued me from my tiny, limited perspective and had strategically placed me in His grand production. She warned me to “hold on tight” and she guaranteed me that I “would have the ride of my life.”

I have been a Christian Life Coach and a Life Plan Facilitator now for almost six years and each step on this journey brings more blessings than I would have ever imagined. The ride has been wonderful. I have met so many godly women from all over the world; I have ministered to lots of women who have left their “heart prints” in my life. I have now begun speaking and writing. and realize that God will equip you if He calls you.

Writer Marianne Williamson wrote this: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves: “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Ladies, our playing small does not serve the world. Let your light shine and give others permission to do the same. As you trust God and hold His hand through the journey, I promise it will be a “wild ride.”

John 15:16 NLT says: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” Be brave. Be bold for His glory.

Cindie Thomas is a Certified Life Purpose Coach and Life Plan Facilitator. Her passion is working with women who have realized that their lives are lacking the joy, passion and inspiration that they desire. She loves walking alongside women and supporting them in the areas of their lives where change would be welcomed. She has a B.A. degree in Communications and is presently pursuing a Masters Degree in Women’s Ministries. Cindie has been married to Bob for 40 years, has She has three married adult children, and 5 wonderful grandchildren. She is in the process of writing a book and is also available for speaking. You may follow her at her blog MusingsFromTheGram.typepad.com/A_Circle_Of_Three.