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by: susan It was like that first warm breeze in the spring. --------------------------------- I had always thought myself an artist first a teacher second. My mother knew the two went hand in hand and as a teenager she must have been doing a lot of praying for parental wisdom when it came to making the helpful decision for my career choice.  Over the years, I have found that teaching is like wanting to be a great artist.  First, I had to humble myself and realize that my real education began after I left the institution that made me feel secure. I had to realize that making mistakes was like stones in my shoe, it may hurt but there was always a solution if I took the time to empty my shoe. I found dealing with children, peers, parents and my ego was going to take a lot of work, a lot of guidance and a lot of trust, but I always had confidence that I could do it. After all, I was an artist first a teacher second, my art always saw me through. I became a Christ follower when I was in the 6th grade I can remember because I was so on fire that I led a classmate to the Lord that year.  Since that time God has been a part of my life and at times was so real in his answers to prayer that I am ashamed that there were and still are times that I put him on the shelf for when I need Him. I have learned through the experiences He has given me that He answers in such creative ways that when I speak of it, people are sure I’m imagining it. I know now that the tugging at my conscience is God speaking gently to me, for I can talk to Him any time of the day without getting on my knees, a friend who’s always at my back waiting for me to turn around. I remember as a teenager I always read the Sunday School paper during the sermon and was amazed at the stories of answered prayer, they seemed so bizarre I wondered if they were really true. As I look back over my life I realize that He was given me my own God Stories to share, to grow from and realize the power comes from Him, not me. I had won a commission to paint two murals for a rehabilitation center.  It seemed simple enough they were to have a track for walking and exercise equipment.  My job was to make the place look like it was the great outdoors, a walk in the park.  After looking at the space I came up with the mural ideas, created a miniature version of the space and decided that I should paint all the walls that surrounded the two murals, all for the same price and all in three days.  Ambition, confidence and talent were on my side.  Deadlines always put me in overdrive so I looked forward to the job with eagerness.  Day one, I had taken pictures of the space, I had said a little prayer to help me center and worked 8 hours straight, I had the right music and the first mural was drawn and completed.  Day two, after 9 hours the second mural was drawn, the surrounding walls were painted and I looked forward to tomorrow and the last two walls and my favorite mural.  I was tired, but I looked at the space and figured it was doable. Day three, I had prayed and asked for my usual assurance and I began working I had decided to paint the surrounding walls of the last mural, leaving the best for last.  As I looked at my mini mock-up of my mural I was fascinated at how good it looked, giving me a new boost of energy.  I knew that God had given me talent and I was happy to share it.  After about 5 hours, I found myself 2/3rd’s of the way done.  It was exciting I could see the finish line and I had done the impossible. Then it happened, I had left the most difficult part of the mural as the last and the worst feeling came over me.  I had stopped to take a break and found myself unable to go on, my brain was tired and I was burned out.  It is a feeling that I now recognize as God’s way of moving me on, changing my direction, reminding me of who really is in control.  I can remember sitting there on the cooler panicking as I looked at the 4 x 5’ piece of blank wall.  As I sat there I began to pray, I prayed for strength to continue, I thanked Him for all that He had allowed me to do in that room and marveled that I was able to capture some of the beauty that I take for granted everyday.  I sat there for twenty minutes admitting that it was only through Him that I would have the strength to continue. And then it happened; it was like that first warm breeze in the spring.  My energy was refilled; my clarity of the task was as if I had just begun and I finished all that I needed in the final 3 hours. I thank the Lord for giving me such a wonderful miracle for He continues to show me how real He is to this day.  I have found in my life whether it is my art, my family, my teaching, my sharing of the Lord’s power and love, that with Him at the helm, I have the power and without him I am still sitting on the cooler wondering what happened. Susan Camin View the story online at: http://www.storiesaboutgod.org/index.php/stories/story_page/lost-in-the-woods/

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