"Leap of Faith and into His Will" by Mary LaFrance

May 24, 2024

Tonight, is one of those evenings where my day at work was hopping, stressful, frustrating and exhausting. At the end of the day, I was through! I came home, and dinner had already been prepared by my husband, and the thought occurred to me, “I am fortunate and blessed” for a lot of different reasons.

Yes indeed, I am fortunate, richly blessed with so many things, adventures, experience (both good and bad), that God has allowed to happen over the course of my life. So tonight, I’m looking back over time, time that has passed by, and what possibly could be things in my future. A glimpse into some of the things from my 6+ decades here in my own little spot on this earth.

Being the youngest of 12 children, had it’s advantages and disadvantages. I think no matter where people are in the “line up” of siblings, this statement is true. For me, I was able to witness my siblings and all of their successes and failures. From my vantage point, I saw them have more successful moments then not. They probably might have a different opinion. I learned so much about their diversity, strengths and weaknesses, and during my early childhood I was simply in awe of each of them. This often led me to think, “How do I fit in?” This also often made me feel shy, wanting to hide behind my mother’s apron as I would pull the sides up and around my face when I stood in back of her. My inward inferiority complex that was prominent at times, was often only felt and seen by me, unless someone was paying real close attention. Some of the things I saw my siblings accomplish were: careers as an interior designer, professional seamstress, auctioneer, real estate agent, business owner, paralegal, beautician, nail technician, painting instructor, supervisor of 40+ people, and much more. Some were gifted athletes, others were great cooks, all had music ability in their soul (instrument and/or vocal), and I marvelled at it all! I was about 45 years old before Jesus finally convinced me to stop comparing myself to my family and see the things that He had gifted me with, so I could be used for His kingdom in even more ways.

So often I felt alone, which sounds crazy with the “tribe” of people that surrounded my youth. Besides the circle of siblings, I had nieces and nephews right above me in age, and a whole bunch more that trickled below my age. I was raised more as their sister, instead of their aunt. Even with that, they could sometimes make me feel like I didn’t fit in either. How was I, a blonde haired, brown-eyed girl with a lot of insecurity inside, ever, ever going to accomplish anything? Only Jesus knew the answers and He had to show me over and over, that I had value and worth, as I held onto my spot, which was a dot, in this big old universe.

I used to pray the same prayer every night when one or both of my parents would tuck me into bed…”Dear Jesus, I know you love little children, and I know You will never make me sing or speak in front of anybody…because that is really scary! Thank you for loving me…Amen” My mom told me when I was around 30, “Mary, do you remember that prayer you always prayed when you were little? I so wanted to tell you, “Be careful how you pray little one, because the things you ask God not to do, are sometimes the very things He will have you do.” Boy, was she right! I laugh now and I’m glad I didn’t include becoming a politician…LOL

I started singing was I was about 3 years old. The first song my Dad taught me was, “You Are My Sunshine” and the first song my Mom taught me was, “Jesus Loves Me.” At this point, I’ve sung now for 63 years, learned around 30,000+ songs, and it’s no wonder my vocal cords are tired…LOL. Over the course of my life, I’ve learned how to play 15 different instruments, of which I took lessons for only 2 of them, trumpet and drums in school band. God has used the variety of musicianship in my life, as a powerful tool that has given me great pleasure, many adventures and opportunities both as a vocalist, instrumentalist, composer and recording artist. Don’t let this fool you…I still feel insecure at times and it doesn’t take much at all. I just have to remember who I belong to, and the fiery darts of the enemy fade away.

Looking back at some of my other activities over my life, God also blessed me with variety and loads of fun! Playing powder puff football, softball, volleyball, basketball, downhill skiing, water skiing, track, tennis, racquetball, swimming, bicycling, parasailing, horseback riding, gymnastics, tap dancing, and God added working on things with my dad and brothers like roofing a house, painting a house, learning how to install windows, plumbing, electrical wiring, working on cars, laying carpet or linoleum, and building many kinds of things out of wood. I sometimes got to cook and bake with my Mom, cut quilt pieces for her homemade quilts, played games, did homework with her, and listened to her tell stories that were amazing. Please do not let this list inhibit you or take it as I am bragging, because some of you, or many of you, have accomplished even more than what I have done. I just want to show you all what God can do, has done, and continues to do…in one very simple, poor (as in my folks didn’t have much money) girl’s life, because HE had a plan, and paved the way for every one of these things to happen for me. Let me say again, “I AM NOTHING WITHOUT GOD, NEVER HAVE BEEN, NEVER WILL BE! Everything I have had the humble privilege to do, or be a part of, came to fruition, because of the Father’s hand.” The key components have been…Learn to stay out of His way, walk through the doors that He opens, banish all fear that Satan wants me to receive, and pray, pray, pray for God’s will in my life. This has taken decades for my heart, mind and spirit to wrap itself around and believe it.

Along with all the fun, activity and adventures, there has been a lot of grief and heartache too. Harsh lessons, like bitter pills to swallow, and yet God had a purpose with those things too. I’ve found that it’s not only the good and wonderful things that happen in life, but the trials and heartaches that together, they melt and mold the character of one’s inner spirit, strength, empowerment, and so much more. The Potter’s hands, take one tiny grain of sand, and as the years pass by and life moves forward each minute, hour, day, week, month and year…we become to Him, a masterpiece that only He could shape, remold, and finish. I have lost, both parents, eight siblings, a nephew, two nieces, been divorced, survived cancer, lost other relatives, close friends, nearly lost my life on three different occasions, been abused at times, hated at times, made fun of at times, and thought about suicide…and yet here I am, still surviving, now a simple older woman, not poor like I was as a child, not rich either, just rich in blessings, but miraculously alive by God’s design, claimed as Jesus’ own. As I pray to humbly and obediently serve Him daily with faith and trust that He will meet each need I have and believing it. At the end of each day, I pray and say, “Thank you Jesus, for my life that’s been overflowing with riches, blessings beyond what I could have ever imagined, and for allowing me time, energy and the tools to still serve You and your kingdom in whatever is your will.”

I hope you all will take a walk down memory lane, reflect on the good, the trials, and all that you have been able to do, to be, and can truly say, “God has shown me grace, mercy, blessed me, and loved me unconditionally.” My prayer always is that anything I post and write will help someone, somewhere, and if even one person gleans anything from it…then thanks be to God and all the glory, honor and praise goes straight back to Him. God bless you all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now…go find what it is that God is asking of you, by being quiet and still enough to listen for His voice…and then let a new beginning start a journey like no other you’ve had before now…He’s waiting!