...so she did

This morning, as I was cleaning my glasses, I noticed this little sticker sitting on my dresser. It said, "She believed she could so she did." And while I kind of like this self-made woman kind of sentiment, it made me ask myself some questions, like...

• Is it that simple? Does believing really make anything possible?
• Did she really do it all on her own?
• Is her belief in herself enough?
• Where does God fit into the picture?

When I think back over my life, I can most definitely see ways in which my belief in myself was a key element in my successful endeavors that range from running marathons to finishing degrees. Without the belief that I could accomplish what I set my mind to do, I would have been less likely to find the strength to make it to the finish line.

But for all the belief in myself, I also know that there have been many others who believed in me as well - my hubby, my parents, my friends, my kids - without their belief and support, I am not sure I could have been nearly as successful in my life.

But even with all that support behind my own confidence in my abilities, I believe there is still another element that is neglected in this little saying: God's work in and through me.

You see, I know that there have been so many times when I didn't think I could continue on, didn't think I would ever see success or completion of something that I believed I could do. Whether it was because of outside influences, internal struggles, lagging strength, or faltering faith, there have been many times when I was sure I would never see it through.

But each time, something happened that changed the outcome that would have come if I tried to do it in my own strength. Each time there were ways in which things happened that have no other explanation but that God intervened on my behalf.

A perfect example of this is my call to ministry. I knew that God had called me to pastoral ministry, but there were speed bumps and hurdles thrown in unexpectedly all along the way, to the point that I was ready to give up. I mean, if it was truly God calling me, then God was going to have to make it happen, because I didn't have it in me to keep going. It's not that I didn't believe that I was supposed to be a pastor, because I knew I was, but no matter how strong my belief, I couldn't make it happen.

And, spoiler alert, God made it happen.

And here I am again, believing that I can finish this Doctorate of Ministry, and doing what I can do to make that happen, but also knowing that without God's help - strengthening me, working in my mind, speaking into my heart, and bringing people alongside to encourage and lift me up - my success is not guaranteed.

So I think maybe I want to change this saying to something along the lines of...


What do you think? How have you experienced this in your life?

Comment below and let's talk about it.