Back in the Saddle Again!

After a long hiatus, I have my first speaking engagement this weekend, June 2nd, here in Clermont! Throughout law school and beginning with my first job after graduating, I’ve been speaking in front of people of all ages inside every conceivable environment. I’m not joking! Working for the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program alone, I spoke with teens, children, adults inside halfway houses, jails, juvenile detention centers, schools, businesses, doctors, nurses, police and probation officers and victim’s rights events…just to mention a few. 

Picture this: I’m a female in my late 20’s walking into Brevard County Jail to speak with men incarcerated for domestic violence related crimes. Almost sounds like the lead-in to a punchline or a pitch for a movie! You can almost picture what I’m walking into, can’t you? Jails are formidable places. I’m silently praying to quiet my pounding heart and to calm my mind. I’m praying silently for at least open minds and no open hostility.  

I’m buzzed back. I’m being escorted by a guard. Gross (in color and in texture) grey walls, bad lighting and a matrix hallway design created an Oscar-worthy, dramatic-scene kind-of feel. Next, add in the shoved down anxiety I had when I first entered the jail being further mixed in with the pit twisting gut reaction each cat-call and “chatty” comment I heard reverberating up and down the halls. I remember being grateful the cat-calling wasn’t as bad as always portrayed on film! Maybe more on the rest of that story another time.

As a lawyer, I conducted educational seminars on probate, trust and tax law for various businesses, organizations, Continuing Legal Education courses, homes for the elderly and assisted living facilities. I also spoke at free seminars for target population (business women owners, CPA’s, etc…) groups advertised and conducted by the first law firm I worked at AS an attorney! Completely different discussion topics and completely different environments. Boy, if I had a dollar for every time someone used a phrase such as “Well, my brother’s cousin’s mother didn’t have to go through probate,” as if the statement itself translated into irrefutable proof as to why he or she won’t either! I loved sharing vital information people needed to guide them in making important decisions which should not be left to chance. I enjoyed a more dynamic speaking approach, you know, interactive with your audience. 

Well over a decade has passed since I participated in any type of seminar! It was only five weeks ago I was asked to participate in Janis Modeste’s No Limit seminar this June 2, 2018!

So, once again, completely different topics in a completely different environment than anything I’ve done before! Only a handful of months earlier than today did The Lord begin solidifying within me (with lots of assistance from Janis) a mission, a passion to share my 15-year journey with severe pain and other health problems. I’ve certainly spoken individually with many people over all these years. I’ve been encouraged for years to write a book which I am doing. However, sharing at this kind of platform….No. Am I nervous? Yes and No. Yes, because what once came so natural feels utterly unnatural now! No, because I unequivocally know this is the new path The Lord challenged me to follow, and follow Him I will! 

Oddly enough, it was only as I was thinking of what to write for this blog that I saw how the Lord brought me full circle. I’m picking up where I left off, so to speak. What a perfect example to highlight one of God’s many blessings: bringing our lives full circle for His Purposes! There is never wasted time with God. He’s got me back in the saddle again!