Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

It’s been well over a week since I officially resigned from Heartland Hunger & Resource Center, aka, the food bank. As of January 1^st , I’m no longer the director or on the board or even a volunteer. In actuality, the business of HH&RC was transitioned over to the board since I told them in September that I felt it was time for me to step down. January 1 is just the date to solidify a change over.

It was not an easy decision to make. The food bank and all it entails has been a very large and important part of my life since late 2000. In fact, I learned to be a Christian at and through the food bank.    I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior after, not before  showing  up at the food bank. In serving, I learned how to love the unlovable because  Jesus loved me first. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind and heart that only God could have used a messed up woman as unqualified as me to be at the helm of this particular little tug boat grown into something like an ocean liner in 2016.

There is no doubt whatsoever that God has blessed us with provision at every step of the way and that His hand was always, always open to us. He has brought wonderful friends into my life and taught me volumes about the dear, quirky families we serve each week. There is no doubt but that God changes hearts and responds expansively to those who choose to serve Him. He makes the impossible possible. He gave us miracle after miracle, year after year and filled me with awe and wonder. Now, ex officio, I’ll be the privileged testimony to our God who loves the poor and who guides His servants.

Along with the vision I’ve held for the food bank and its future, I have always known when I’d be released to step down and turn things over. The Lord gave me an invisible time table many years ago and the timing has become very clear. It is now. Our board members are strong, dedicated and faith filled with compassion and love for clients. Linda, our new director is experienced and already doing a great work leading. The churches and community continue to walk with us in faith.   There are often more volunteers than needed and most of them can’t wait to come back.  Donations and finances are in good standing.  We even have  a tech savvy  woman who’s facebooked us  into the world of social media! How lovely that I could leave when HH&RC is in the best of the best situation!

The truth is I am not so much resigning as being released,   allowing HH&RC to  move forward into the next stages of God’s plans.  And I am released to find the Lord’s next surprising adventures . My heart overflows  with  gratitude and love  for this wonderful  ministry even as I leave it in already capable  good hands.

Nevertheless, I will miss it terribly. I already do.

Friede