My Story
By: Kate Felsman
Say name and greeting
Have you ever met a photographer that is more concerned with the way they look than the way that the people look in the photo? Me either.
Photography is something I LOVE! And some would say its one of my best talents. However, it takes a long process for me to get a photo that way. I get so caught up in having something be perfect that I even insist on doing people’s hair and make-up just so that I can make sure it is just right.
Recently I was reading the bible and came across this verse:
Luke 12:22-26 says:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more important than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens; they do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
How many of you have heard this before?
I went to church for 18 years, but never heard this verse. The reason for that was not because the pastor didn’t speak or talk about it, more like I was too stressed to actually listen to what was being said. Which happens to me all the time… especially while I was in school.
When I was 13, the opportunity came up for me to go on a missions trip to Costa Rica. I was very excited at this idea so I started to really look into it. While looking into it, I realized that it would cost me a lot of money; and that’s a lot of money that I didn’t have. I started to pray about it and thought that if that were what God wanted me to do, it would happen. I felt that God was pushing me towards going but my mind was still saying that I couldn’t afford it. However, after a ton of consideration and prayer, I decided that I should go on this trip. After the deciding point, I began my usual routine of stressing myself out over the money issue. I spoke with my parents and together we decided I needed to get a job.
It was winter at this point and no one was looking to hire on any students. I prayed again asking God to present a job to me so that I could start raising money. I figured if God really wanted me to go on this trip, he would make it possible. Couple days later, an ad was in the paper that a local department store wanted to hire on full-time workers for a 6-week contract. I applied, got interviewed, and then I started in March. Now, I don’t suggest any of you go out looking for a full-time job when your 13. The only reason I was able to do this was because I was homeschooled.
First day on the job, we were handed numerous forms to fill out. I handed in my forms and then I resumed my duties of unpacking boxes, setting up stands, pricing items, etc… Then all the sudden all you could hear over the loud speaker was “Could Katelyn Felsman come to the front please?” OH NO, WHAT DID I DO?! Tons of thoughts came rushing into my head like: Do they not want me here? Does she not think I’m a good worker? Is she switching me to a different department? Then I got thinking about it and I realized: No, you did nothing wrong, she probably just wants you to come to the front so that she can tell me how proud she is, or maybe she is so impressed with my work ethic, she will let me go home early! Yes, that’s probably what it is... So as I set down my price-tagging gun, I slowly made my way up to the front of the store. When I got there, however, she was holding one of my forms and had a slightly amused look on her face. I was confused and quite concerned. “Look what you put as your birthday” as she pointed to the form. I just stood there, glanced at the paper, then looked back at her with a puzzled look on my face. “YOUR ONLY THIRTEEEN?!?!” She couldn’t believe I was so young. She then went and called the head office and then came back and informed me that seeing it was the head office that had hired me, they were going to keep me on because it was THEIR mistake. I worked at this department store for the six-week contract. I was more or less the manger in the children’s department. Which is kinda funny seeing I just got out of wearing children’s clothes. When my six weeks were up, I had made almost the EXACT amount of money that I had needed to go on my trip to Costa Rica.
God is so amazing in the ways that he cares for us .
1 Peter 5:7 says:
“Cast all your cares upon Him, for he cares for you.”
This verse really proved true for me. I gave up my worry and my stress and in turn, God provided me with the resources
I put my faith in God and He took care of me in this situation. Now, not all situations are as large of this. Some are smaller and still stress me out. That’s apart of being human. But because God helped me out in this situation, I have learned to lean on Him more for the little things.
Through my stress, I have learned to trust God and also, the people around me.
Because God had called me to go to Costa Rica, he made that special purpose in my life possible. Mine at that time was to go to Costa Rica. He continues to show his love and faithfulness in all my situations. Especially when it is one of his purposes for my life. One of the main purposes I have is to praise him. I praise through using the gifts he has given me, and right now I am using them and strengthening them by being here at BUgirl. However, not everyone needs to go out of country or travel North America to praise God. Praising God can come in many different forms it could include: music, sports, photography, painting, designing, etc. Anything you do, using the gifts that you have can be used to honor and praise Him.
That is one of our purposes in life. Use the gifts Gods given you in a positive way that will give glory to his name and encourage the people around you.
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