The Story of Restoration: Part II
Although seeds were planted long before this point, the story of Restoration starts with a few closed doors, the testimony of friends, and a text message received two days before graduation.
For the last few months of graduate school, I had been in the process of discerning my next step. Where would my career as a therapist begin? While I knew where it started, experiencing my own healing and the healing of others during my time as a missionary, I was less certain of where it would be headed. I knew I desired to provide therapy rooted in a Christian worldview, but I had no idea where.
I began sending letters to different practices around the country who were all working to integrate healing with an authentic vision of the human person. The answer was shockingly similar as it came back, “We would LOVE to hire you, but we just hired someone else and don’t have the capacity to bring another person on right now. Would you be willing to wait?” The jobs I desired looked more like closed doors, and I was confused.
Despite the confusion, I could feel the Lord inviting me to make a decision for a people rather than a job. I wanted to bring healing in the context of a community, and for the last seven years, I had lived in the midst of one that had given their hearts to me and I to them. Instead of moving halfway across the country, would I be open to working right here in Lincoln, Nebraska? And so, with complete uncertainty about my future plans, no job in sight, and full (okay, maybe like 80%) faith in the providence of the Lord, I made the decision to stay.
A couple of weeks later, two days before graduation, I found myself with empty hands and a heart full of hope for the work I know the Lord had begun when I moved to Lincoln. Oh yeah, and that text message.
It was simple. Katie re-introduced herself, shared a little about her and ended with a small request, “Father and I touched base today and was now the third priest friend to tell me to reach out to you…I would love to connect and simply network for future opportunities and relationship!”
We arranged a call for the next day, and on the phone, our conversation was an echo. I heard Katie speak back to me the dreams and desires that were so close to my own heart, a desire for healing and a participation in the work of the Lord in the place that had taken root in our hearts, a desire for a renewal of God’s people through integrated care for their minds, bodies, and souls, and a desire to bring about restoration in the lives of our community.
And despite the uncertainty, despite the fear, despite the doubt, I know that right then, in the depths of my heart, I said yes to what the Lord was asking. I said yes to the practice He wanted to build.
Many conversations, meetings, decisions, and hours spent in prayer later, I am again blown away by the goodness of the Lord and the true reality of His providence. In the day to day, I am often overwhelmed by the tasks, decisions, and responsibilities of a small business, but when I take a step back, I see something incredible.
Six months ago, I had no idea what my future would bring. Six months ago, I wasn’t sure if the desires of my heart for this work could be fulfilled. Now, I have a front row seat to the healing the Lord desires for His people.
You guys. He is so faithful.
