I graduated with my master's degree in counseling in May 1998. It was that same week that I found out we were pregnant with our first child. The anticipation and excitement surrounding the birth of our first child overshadowed any desire I had to complete the licensure requirements for my degree.
For the next six years I focused on being a mom, wife and children's minister.
During the summer of 2004 I felt God beginning to prepare my heart to pick back up my counselor hat and begin working on licensure. Brian supported this decision and encouraged me to pursue God's direction. So, I started seeing clients on Sunday afternoons. I knew it would take a long time to reach the 3000 clock hours but I never dreamed it would take me almost 5 years.
I learned a lot in those first few months of internship. I credit my supervisor with her expertise and mentoring ability. We established a great relationship and I felt very fortunate to have her working with me.
It's no secret that in June 2005 my life changed forever. I experienced heartache and pain like I have never known. In the midst of that crisis my supervisor (who I had only known since becoming her supervisee) worked with my kids and helped me figure out how to get back on the horse of counseling. There was a time shortly after his death that I thought I would never be able to help anyone again. I wondered how I would make a living and how I would be able to do ministry again. I actually remember a conversation with my dad where he asked me what I was going to do (meaning=am I going to move back to Oklahoma or stay in Texas). I said to him with all honesty and sincerity: "dad I can't do ministry anymore...I just can't, I'll never be able to do it...." I couldn't fathom how I would be able to recover from the pain and hurt and the questions...and the struggle.
To make a long story short, there has been healing in my life. The wounds are still there but the pain has subsided. And, if I am honest, I know that my experience with loss has made me a much better minister and counselor...Only God can do that...
So, eleven years after graduation, three kids later, and almost four years after Brian's death, I completed my goal. I passed the National Counselor's Exam and I have completed the 3000 clock hours. I have been studying off and on for this test for about six months. I walked into the test today with one prayer: God, let my score be a reflection of the work I put into it.
He answered my prayer. I am pleased with my score. No, actually, I am dang proud of my score. I did well.
I am confident that God has a purpose for my life that includes using this credential to bring Him glory. I don't know how it will play out, but I can see God's hand in all of this and look forward to being part of His work. For now, I get to wear many different hats (minister, counselor, mom, and student) and I am very content and blessed to be able to do that.
Tonight, I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating an achievement, but, more importantly, I'm celebrating God's goodness and faithfulness.
"Being confident of this: He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." Phil. 1:6
2 comments:
Oh.My.Goodness.
I cannot believe the similarities in our lives.
My husband died almost 14 months ago.
I had people ask me if I would move back to Okla. We have lived in TX for over 17 years .... this is home.
I, too, work in ministry. At the time of his death I was the director of Missions. Last September I became the Director of Care Ministries, which includes Grief Share, Divorce Care, Stephen Ministry, etc.
This is something I would never have done "before". But God is using my "after" to help others .... and I am so very grateful that something so crappy can be used to help someone else.
Thank you for sharing.
Janine
Congratulations.....your story is incredible.....thanks for sharing it here. Congratulations!!
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