God Never Wastes Anything

Reminders from a trip to my hometown.

My dear brothers and sisters,

This past weekend I made a quick trip to my hometown of Sheboygan, Wisconsin to see family including my 95-year-old (adoptive) dad, my siblings, and their families. During my time there, I experienced multiple reminders of the foundational first 21 years of my life. And although many of those years were very difficult, I was reminded again that God hasn’t wasted anything from that time:

• My first job delivering newspapers taught me to be dependable.

• The fun of family camping and youth retreats inspired me to work in Christian camp ministry as a young adult.

• My youth pastor and his wife, along with my experience in youth group, planted the seeds for a calling to vocational ministry.

• A childhood fraught with complex trauma served to fine-tune my reality detector and gave me a deep inner strength that has helped me overcome many challenges.

• A high-school job at a fast-food restaurant helped me conquer my shyness and learn to talk to strangers.

• Long hours of play time in wide-open country spaces gave me a lifelong love of physical activity and sports.

• Watching my home church go through staff conflicts and an eventual split shaped my early leadership understanding.

• A job working in the sports department at my city’s newspaper affirmed my love and ability for writing.

• Observing my dad in his basement workshop taught me trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills.

• Growing up in a German enclave cultivated a lasting affection for bratwurst, “hard rolls,” polka music, and The Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday nights.

• Friendships with my church youth leaders and Christian school teachers have lasted to this day. Their love and care have been continuously life-giving, arguably even life-saving at times.

We are deeply formed by the environments we grow up in. What has God used in your life?

Peace,

Angie