Serving in Different Seasons

While in college at Texas A&M, I had an experience that changed my life. I was given the opportunity to serve on a mission team that worked in some of the toughest areas of Chicago. I saw the power of what the Lord can do if you are only willing to show up. Lives were transformed by the power of the gospel as well as their physical needs met. It was during this experience that I realized the type of life that God expected of me; a life of service.

Several years later, I had started my teaching career working with high school students in rural Mississippi. I later moved to Houston after getting married to my sweet husband, Ryan, where I was given the opportunity to teach middle school reading in downtown. My years in the classroom were challenging to say the least, but they were also some of the most influential of my life. I saw God show up in the big moments with my students, as well as the small. He was present through it all.

I also saw the power of what an education can do for a young person, specifically the power of literacy. For most of my students, education was the key to a future different from where they had come from. Education was the key to a future that offered stability and security. Literacy was the most important piece of the puzzle. Being able to read on grade level often determined not only what they would do after high school, but even if they would make it to graduation. All these experiences added up to a fire being lit within me to always find a way to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Fast forward to the year 2019 and I decided to take a temporary break from my time in the classroom. My husband and I moved to Dallas and purchased our first home and then quickly found out that we were expecting our first child! We were overjoyed about this new phase of life, but I found myself feeling like something was missing. I missed being around young people and investing in their lives. I began looking for an organization where I could invest my time. Thankfully, I had a friend who was already serving at Refugee Resources and told me about the amazing things that were happening there.

I began serving in the fall of 2019 and was lucky enough to be partnered with my amazing mentee, Juliana, from the beginning. When I first began working with Juliana, she was in 6th grade and since then she has grown so much! She is now going into her 9th grade year, and I cannot believe the reading growth she has made over the years. I feel grateful for every week that I get to spend with her and love that our relationship continues to grow as well. My hope is that I get the opportunity to see Juliana graduate high school and continue to college!

Over the past decade of my life, one of the most important lessons that I have learned is that serving in God’s kingdom does not always look the same in every season of life. Sometimes service means what you do for your career. Sometimes service means volunteering for an organization whose values align with your own. And sometimes service means giving in other ways. Whether you can give your time or your money; we as Christians are called to serve in some capacity. All of us can make a difference.

Maybe you are in a season of life where extra time is hard to come by and you are looking for another way to make a difference. I know exactly how you feel! Three weeks ago, my husband and I welcomed our second sweet baby into our family. Time is hard to come by in this season of my life. As I take a short time away from serving weekly at Reading Circle, I am thankful for the opportunity to give in a different way!

NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY is only a few days away and this is an amazing opportunity to donate to an organization that is making a real difference in the lives of refugee students day in and day out! I have seen the difference that Refugee Resources is making firsthand. From increasing a student’s confidence in reading and literacy, to sharing the good news of the Gospel with them, the mentors at Refugee Resources are making a real impact! I love seeing the light in our students’ eyes as they learn new concepts. I love seeing the joy on their faces as they experience real life with mentors who care for them deeply. Refugee Resources is doing powerful work for God’s kingdom, and I am proud to be a part of it. I urge you to prayerfully consider partnering financially with Refugee Resources on September 22ndfor North Texas Giving Day. No amount is too small for God to do something amazing with!

Written by: Emily Thompson