Sharing Wisdom When You're Still Young with Jolina Petersheim, Part 1

"Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days."

That's what I think about when I consider my old friend Jolina Petersheim. As a young college student, I'd give Jolina rides home from church and pepper her with well-intentioned advice with the air of a sage.

Looking back, I cringe at how I must've come across to this giddy little junior high girl who must've seen me as a major party pooper. I couldn't hold back, though. God had changed my life around her age, and I wanted SO BAD for her to taste and see how good He is.

Time passed, and we both went our different ways as life played out. She was in my wedding, and I heard through the grapevine as she headed off to college and then got married.

When I heard through our shook-up community grapevine that Jolina had not only published a book, but it was a best-seller, all of us were thrilled. For me, who'd always entertained secret crazy dreams like running in the Olympics, writing, and being a radio show host, a spark of "what if I could, too!" was secretly lit.

I began reading her blog, which was far different than it is today. In the following years I observed as this spunky dreamer mellowed into a wise woman who regularly offers insight that shapes my own thinking.

So if you've poured into younger women, praying for them, feeling like your words fall flat, just know that it isn't us that makes people wise.

It's Jesus.

He sometimes allows us to join in the process, and sometimes He removes us and puts others in our place.

He's the One doing the work.

And we will reap. If we don't faint.

 

 

"Turn Your Heart Toward Home" by Steve & Annie Chapman. Used with permission.