Kids & Parenting

Destined For Greatness -- Part 1

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
01/19/16
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Destiny Awaits

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort that God has given us" (2 Corinthians 1:4, NIV).

As a fatherless child, I lacked some of the most basic training and had very little of my needs met. Therefore, I am often naïve to certain things that my peers take for granted that I have knowledge of and should be exercising. Things a single mother cannot understand about her fatherless child, I can readily recognise and associate with such behaviours. When a single mother is consumed with resentment for her child’s father she’s not capable of fully attending to that child’s need.  In effect, that child is parentless. He or she may have the presence of his or her father and/or mother in the house (physically) but with no emotional connection the results are the same.

Children (including adults) with no emotional connection to their parents will gravitate towards people who exemplify great leadership. There are many people being hindered by lack of encouragement, lack of motivation and lack of effective leadership in their lives. Not having a father stunted my emotional growth and mental development. Having a step-father who didn’t know how to love my mother unconditionally or recognised that I was a gift to him caused me to live in fear, added to my insecurities, and made me feel like an unwanted child.

At that critical point, during my latter teen years, a young minister (who was still in seminary school) and the two youth workers (who ran the youth club I attended as a teenager) were the first ones to recognise the gem in this vessel and encouraged me towards greatness. They taught me (through their actions and speech) that in order to bring light to the darkness, love goes the extra mile by rolling up its sleeves and getting its hands dirty.

Losing my grandparents (who were the only constants in my life) at the most delicate time of my growth, when I desperately needed guidance, brought me to a crossroad of guilt and despair. Today I am here for the simple fact that each season of my life someone thought I was worth it and extended a hand of friendship. For every tunnel I’ve gone through someone (or more often a couple) came into my life either for that season, for a specific reason or they become like family and we share the joys and sorrows together along the way. Freely as I have received, freely I give.

Two of my school teachers in my junior years were the ones who spotted talents and provided opportunities for me to shine as a child. They also gave up their personal time to give us training in utilising our skills as we represented our school and our Parish in the annual poetry and dance competitions. Responsibilities we had from cleaning the principal’s office to teaching or assisting the teachers in the lower year groups, helped to form our characters. I didn't understand any of it, but today the pieces of the puzzle are being placed in the correct order, and now I can see much clearer and understand much better. They gave of themselves freely and I was able to benefit from their self-less giving.

I then moved on into adulthood and met some wonderful leaders who shone the light of Christ into the areas of darkness in my life, long enough for me to begin believing in my God-given abilities and started to take those necessary steps of faith towards greatness. For this season of my life I’m finding that form of encouragement through my church leaders (directly and indirectly). I am also learning from the people I am currently surrounded by and finding joy in using my gifts in helping others as I bring glory to God in my giving.

As we move forward into 2016, if you are in the position to help another person I would like to encourage you to do so. Seek out the needs around you and speak into the lives of those individuals. It may be a word of encouragement, financial assistance (sharing from your surplus) or offering your time and services. You can make a difference to the lives of others, especially those lacking effective leadership in their lives. Your act of kindness can change lives and those changed lives can change the course of history. Never underestimate the power within you to make a positive difference in the lives of others. All that is needed is to simply activate the power within you to bring about the change needed—one step at a time towards your destiny.

See Part 2: Let the circle remain unbroken ~ http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=182152