One of my kids has been digging holes, taking things apart, and fixing things since he was old enough to ask for a shovel. It’s no surprise, then, to observe that he’s Mr. Carburetor in the world of small engines (to which I do NOT have a passport) and works in a field that requires hands-on expertise and precision. He has found his niche in the world by doing what he can’t NOT do.
His younger brother has always gravitated toward music, possessing a kind of inate something-or-other that made even his despised finger exercises on the piano sparkle with musicality. At one point, he was practicing and performing with four bands. By some miracle, he and his trumpet are gainfully employed here in Maine, paying his mortgage and buying groceries by doing what he can’t NOT do.
Then, there’s their mother…
I agonized over my college major (probably overthinking it and getting it all wrong), but somehow almost every job I’ve ever had has eventually taken on a writing or teaching component. Sometimes both.
God knew what he was doing, even if I didn’t, because now I’m gratefully working as a substitute teacher, teaching Sunday school in my home church, speaking to women’s groups wherever I’m invited, and sharing biblical encouragement and book reviews here, devotionals on YouVersion, and writing elsewhere as the opportunity arises.
God is a master artist, and his most exquisite work is the ongoing creation and re-creation of his much-loved children. Listen to how he delighted in his Old Testament servant, Bezalel:
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” (Exodus 31:1-5).
I have a feeling that if we could interview Bezalel, he would say, “I was honored to serve YHWH doing what I couldn’t NOT do.
Which leads me to ask you today:
Have you discovered the thing you can’t NOT do?
If so, how is God using you to glorify him with your “ability and intelligence?”
If not, look around you and notice what others are saying about your abilities. Ask God to show you where he wants to work and then get busy!
God is a master artist whose most exquisite work is the ongoing creation and recreation of his much-loved children. Have you discovered the thing you can’t NOT do? How is God using it to glorify him with your ability and intelligence?
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Emilia del Valle is a fictional character who is in the process of discovering what she can’t NOT do—despite societal norms. She was created by Isabel Allende, but I kept wishing she had been a real person. My Name is Emilia del Valle reads like the biography of an outstanding woman of the late 19th century
Born to a disgraced Irish nun who then raised her with a devoted stepfather, Emilia became a writer in a world where “appropriate” topics for women simply did not interest her. Writing pulp fiction under a nom de plume eventually led to journalism. In her role as a reporter, she demanded to be allowed the opportunity to cover a civil war in Chile where she became embroiled in the danger and violence of a world turned upside down.
As she and her fellow reporter Eric are subjected to increasing danger, love blooms between them. Allende masterfully describes the horror of war alongside the reality that faithfulness to one’s calling puts a strain on even the most ardent devotion. In Emilia, she has created a believable protagonist whose flaws somehow serve to make her stronger as she admits, “I did not know who I truly was until circumstances put me to the test.”
Emilia’s “circumstances” lead her into sin and poor judgment calls, and Allende laudably portrays them as such. As she risks her life to “collect the dispersed fragments” of the tales of those whose stories would otherwise never be told, she rejects betrayal as an option and stays true to her calling. I doubt if Emilia could have stopped being a journalist if her life had depended on it.
What Other Reviewers Are Saying
“A captivating novel of love and war from one of our most revered storytellers.”—Kate Morton, author of Homecoming
“Emilia del Valle dares to forge her own path and break the rules set for women, and in doing so finds herself on a dangerous journey of self-discovery that will challenge everything she believes to be true.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women
My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende reads like the biography of an outstanding woman of the late 19th century who is in the process of discovering what she can’t NOT do—in spite of societal norms. @randomhouse
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As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to all the reading plans!
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Living Our Days 
Oh I can so relate to that digging/taking apart comment! We used to joke my oldest son was going to dig his way to China…. and now he runs loaders and excavators and digs/plays with dirt! LOL. I always struggled to find my “thing” as I had & have such a huge range of interests and so many careers sounded great to me. My mom laughed that pretty much every single college we visited we picked a completely different major to learn about– fashion design, interior design, fine arts, art teacher, teacher, etc. I switched my major and trajectory a few times before finishing too and had quite a few minors as well (though somehow still finished my master’s in 6 years)! That sounds like a fabulous book.
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I kept having to remind myself that the protagonist was fictional! It really was a good story!
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Reading about your sons makes me curious about my grandson’s deep love for anything with wheels. He’s only four years old, but I can already imagine some career in his future regarding vehicles. 🙂
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I think our calling starts to make itself known early! Trouble is that we usually don’t see it until later…
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In second grade I noticed that being the teacher looked like fun. That opinion stayed with me as I played school with playmates (or dolls, if necessary), helped out at church with children from preschoolers to early elementary, taught one-semester at a missionary pre-school and kindergarten in Quito, Ecuador (between high school and college), earned my college degree and finally began my teaching career. I had to fight back the tears on the first day, overcome with the realization that God had brought a nearly life-long dream to fruition. I taught elementary school for twenty-six years, interrupted by the stay-at-home mom years. As for my writing life . . . that’s for another chapter, another day!
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Wonderful how God heard your heart and brought you into the job of your dreams. Twenty six years is a long stretch of faithfulness!
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Thank you, Michelle. Sent from my iPhone
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Always appreciate hearing from you!!
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Beautiful words, Michele. Your son sounds so much like my Jacob. He has always needed to know how everything works since he was tiny. I can’t imagine him doing anything other than engineering one day, but I guess only God knows where he’ll end up! I just pray every day that he finds his passion and enjoys his work.
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That’s the prayer of a loving mum’s heart and I think it’s amazing how kids reveal their bent and their true interests so early.
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Who we are definitely shows itself even when we are young, Michele. When I was little, I always wanted to play “school” versus playing “house” with my siblings. I homeschooled for 26 years. And yes, you definitely combine your writing and teaching in your blog posts.
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Isn’t it fascinating—and definitely a motivator to pay attention to the leanings of the littles in our lives.
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