What's going on, guys? Welcome to this episode of the Pursuit of Calling podcast with me,
your host, Thomas Kearney. In this episode, I got to sit down with Dawn Marasco, where
we start from her birth all the way to what she's doing right now. And guys, it's a ride.
We talk about her calling, what God's doing in her life, and we really dive into some
practical things of what can be done in your life to really understand what the calling
is on you and how to live in that fully. But before we dive in, I want to ask you to send
me a message. If you have any questions or you want me to talk on a particular topic,
or you just want to say some encouraging words, you can do so on Instagram or via the email
that is listed in the show notes of this episode. So guys, really want to take some notes on
this one. You really do. All right, let's get into it.
All right, guys. Hey, how's it going? Today, you know, you already know I'm here with Dawn
Marasco and Dawn, I've known I've known of her for a while. I interact with her kids
a lot. And her son Matt and I did it together at the church for for about a year. And for
when I know about her, she's very, very intelligent and very, like, they're very blessed. And
I'm very blessed to have her on the podcast. I know she has a one I know she has a lot
to say. But I also know that she's going to give us something that I know I'm not even
expecting. So, so Don, like, thank you for your yes for being on the podcast. And for
those who don't know you, who is Don Marasco? Thank you so much, Thomas. So Don Marasco
is a it sounds funny, but a bloodbath Christian, like I was in a pit when God found me. And
I just want everyone to know that one, it doesn't matter where you started. Yeah, you
know, and to our past does not hold us back from what God has for us. And three, I think
it's in those deepest losses, and I'll call it pits, and pain that I found God, and his
love runs the deepest. And so I guess for me, you know, yeah, I, I am a mom of four adults
now. And absolutely love being a wife and a mother. And I love mentoring anyone, but
mentoring women is my heart. And I think because I came from such broken places, that I feel
compelled, ignited to help anyone else. I think I mentioned the best compliment I think
I had was a friend who she said, I grew up in church all my life. But when I come to
you, you teach me how to do it. You're my how to girl. Yeah. And to me, like, I'm like,
yes, because I knew nothing about Christianity. I knew absolutely nothing. And I was 19 when
I got saved. So if I can just go back for a minute. Yeah, for sure. My mom was 16 when
she had me, which was already a big event. Yeah. And being raised by a 16 year old, which
she was awesome. But she married my dad, who was a 20 year old alcoholic. And so his alcoholism
really taught me not to trust. And I realized, you know, I couldn't trust him with my heart.
And so it was really hard going forward to even trust God. And so I trust anyone, really,
I had trust issues big time, and control because if you can't trust, then you have to control
things and control is an illusion. And I found that out. And at the same point, I came out
of that. And, you know, I'm an out front person, you know, I have like a bright shirt on today,
you know, I like the bright things, etc. But I learned from having an alcoholic dad to
not ask questions to sit kind of in the back of the room, be quiet, don't make waves, because
I didn't want the what came from that, you know. And so I started wearing more grays
and more blacks. And if you don't realize, like it affects who you are. And so I remember
when God was starting to wrestle with me, like, that's not who you are. Like, be who
I created you to be, which is more bold and loving and kind and reaching out to people
and, you know, building others up. So in my teen years, I was rough and I was tough. And
then at 19, I was engaged to be married. And then he was murdered in front of me. Wow.
Yeah, so that loss, yeah, right there. And he and I would go to church and things like
that. But and I would pray all the time, Thomas, it wasn't like, I didn't know God, I wanted
to know God, I prayed all the time, but I did not know how to hear God. And so I had
a one way relationship with God. And after his death, I do remember I asked the priest,
you know, how could God let this happen? And it was just a young heart cry, like, how can
this? How could God have let this happen? And the priest said, I don't know. And I thought,
oh, my goodness, if the priest don't know, you know, but I thank God that I never blamed
him that I never pushed away from him. I ran to him. Yeah. And I knew he was going to be
my answer. And so I prayed all the time. It's our I did get to have a he did give me a dream
of my fiance in heaven, which was awesome. And I'll show that another time. But that
was beautiful. And then I came to Christ. And when I say I knew nothing, I knew nothing,
Thomas, I did not know how to read the Bible. If I open the Bible, the word that was like
foreign, I'm like, huh, like, I couldn't understand anything. But there was one thing that God
said, he it was the first time I ever had like a word. I don't know if you've had that
like drop into your mind. And it was like, you're going to be a speaker and a writer
someday. And I laughed out loud. I'm like, Yeah, right. What would I write about? And
who would even listen? Yeah. And that's I just say that because I think a lot of in
the audience could be like, Yeah, right, God. You have these big plans for me. Yeah, right,
right. Like, don't you know who I am? Don't you know how a mess my life is? Like, I was
a horrible student. And for you to say that I'm intelligent, I thought that is so funny,
God. Because that's the work God does. Yeah. And it's it's why how and that's what I hope
to get into tonight. You know, for sure. Yeah. Wow.
Guys, okay, so we're starting off running the your fiance. Okay, you just laid out.
Yeah, you were engaged and he was murdered in front of you. And I just hearing all of
these things that one guy brought you through and has seen you to see you through on the
other side. And seeing who you are now, the conversation we just had before we started
recording and like that I was not expecting that at all. And gosh, this is like I'm so
happy that we're having this conversation because it's the true testament to like, to
God can use anything. Yes, God can use anything to not just like change your life, but change
it, people change lives around you like you're doing with your with what you're doing with
your platform and the woman that you coach. Yes. That's awesome. Well, and I'll tell you
also so that story is in my intro to my book. Yeah. Book is called Okay, so this is even
more crazy when I said, Yeah, right, God will give God time. I mean time I mean decades
to transform my life. And I wrote the book continuous peace. And that came out of Wow.
Yeah, continuous peace. And it's called four steps to living the life of peace God intended.
And when God spoke those words to my head, you're going to be a speaker and a writer
someday. Yeah. Yeah, right was truly like, Yeah, right. What I what would I even write
about? But what I did not realize is that was going to write about the transformation
that took place in my life. And what God has done and is still doing. You know, we never
arrived, thank the good Lord, because it would be such a boring Christianity. We never rise.
We're always going deeper and bigger and you know, using all the all the things even current
things in my life to grow me. But I will tell you, losing my fiance, that pain has served
me well. Yeah. So hear this our pain can serve us well. I had to unlearn some of the fears.
And that's what the book is about. Because I was a fearful Christian. And that's like
an oxymoron. You know, we shouldn't be Christian and fearful. God says fear not right? I am
with you. I didn't know those truths. I might know them if I read them to be true, but they
weren't my truths. And so this book takes you through four steps that led me from being
a fearful Christian for nine long years as a Christian, to long got into my heart all
the broken places, allowing him to heal those places, trusting him with my past, trusting
him with my today. That was the surrender and then shakily trusting him with my future,
knowing he was in control and I wasn't and for our control freak, that was super scary.
That was super scary. But we're now decades out and I'm like, only you and that's why
he gets all the glory. I know where I started from. You know, what you see the good that
you see is fruit of him in my life and pursuing him. That's insane. Well, the sense you mentioned
pursuing God, this, you know, this podcast is called the pursuit of calling and we were
talking a little bit beforehand about what we're going to talk about and like you mentioned
about pursuing God first. Yes. So can you elaborate a little bit on what that means
in your life and what it means in general? Yeah, I love your title, the pursuit of calling.
I thought, man, that's so good. And you go in so many directions. It's so good. But when
I think of pursuing my calling, it's like, well, I get first off to pursue him. And I
know that's in your heart, too, you know, and that pursuit, what does that look like?
It looks like a broken girl coming to God broken. And it looked like me being honest
with I don't even know how to do this, God. I don't even believe I can do this, God. But
if this is what you have, you're going to have to help me. And those are the real conversations,
honestly, that God's looking for from us. You know, I know for me, you know, in those
first nine years as a Christian, you know, I tried to clean the outside of the cup, you
know, I tried to look the part I tried to look like I'm a happy Christian, I walk in
the church smiling and people like, she's the nicest girl, you know, inside, I'm dying,
right? And how many of us walk into church like that carrying such loads and really not
being honest with anyone else. And I'm not saying we walk in, we just pour guts out to
everybody. But you have a special group that you're, you know, friend, friends. And that
was also part of the pursuit, like, give me someone that after I said that prayer of surrender,
God said, go share your story with this one friend. And I will tell you, the one thing
Thomas that God continually put on my heart in the beginning, because I was so afraid
of missing him. And trying to complicate everything. He just makes it he like dumps it down for
me, you know, Christianity 101 dawn, be willing and obedient. That's all be willing and obedient.
So, all right, God, and I knew for myself, I did not know anything about him. So I had
to pursue him. I had to know him better. And that's really where the depth comes from knowing
him better who he is, who he is towards me, you know, his love, I mean, when we understand
and that's, you know, I have an online platform. And in there, that's my main thing that we're
talking about, like who he is, and who we are and walking that out. Because it is simple.
I think we complicate it, you know, but that pursuing him and that does look like for me,
you know, I'm in my word, it looks different every day. Yeah, you know, asking God for
words, speaking to him just like real raw and real as my best friend. And I don't know,
that is the best gift that we've been given is to have a real relationship with Almighty
God. And then everything else pours out from there. Yeah. That's really, really great.
And I said I was going to take notes while you were talking. I was and then you just
start, you kept going and I just forgot to take notes. That's okay. I was like, I was
just so like involved with what you're what you're saying. But no, like that is the, I
was, I said to people before, like originally this podcast, when I started with Sean, it
was called Technically Short. I wouldn't push it a lot where I would say this, we're, this
isn't a Christian podcast. We're just, we're, but we are Christians with a podcast. And
then I changed the podcast title to the Preserve of Calling without thinking about how Christiany
that sounds. And I was like, I guess I'm, I guess I'm in it now. And I was like, I was
like pursuit of calling. That's just so calling is just like a term that I'm just so used
to now that I didn't even think it was like that, that Christiany word. Right. And, and
now that I think and now that I'm like, I've, it's where I'm established as like the pursuit
of calling. And, and I do believe like in my accord, you know, I know where that calling
comes from, comes from God. Like, I guess like inadvertently just became this Christian
podcast even though like, and like, I'm, I love that. Like I could have people on like
you who have, want to have been through so much. And, but also, like I said before, God
has brought through and now you're taking, now you're taking that or God took it and
that changed you. And that caused you to be like, wait, I can actually do way more than
I ever thought possible. Right. And that doesn't mean for those who, for those who are listening,
it doesn't mean you have to go through something terrible in order to pursue something great.
Absolutely not. Like you can pursue, like God has something great for you. And it doesn't
mean, it doesn't mean like a bi-wordly standards of success. It means like whatever God's calling
you towards, that's where the success is. Right. That's good. And there's like, I've
told people before this podcast is the best thing I do. And it's sometimes I'm like, sometimes
I like, I get stressed out, but I think I've said in a previous episode, I'm, I'm, I'm
attentioning a little bit, but I just knew like there was one day I just didn't want
to record this like the last episode, maybe I didn't want to record that whole day. I
was tired and I was like, but I knew what I was going to cause I know what my calling
is. Right. That's good. And I was like, I knew, I knew what I was going to because like,
I was like, I can't not. Right. It's like, if I have a calling, I have to, I have to
live in it. And it comes from within too. Yeah. Right. Like there's an inner calling
to do it. There's an inner strength to do it. Right. A will to do it. And afterwards
I loved it. Yes. I was like, after I did it, I even in it, I like, while I started it,
it was like, well, I was like, all I had to do was start it. All I had to do was start
willing and obedient. Yep. Willing and obedient. It's so simple. Just be willing and obedient.
And honestly, that has helped me tremendously because so often, and the other thing I teach
in the book is do the next right thing. Yep. The next right thing has helped me so much.
So my brother passed away early. He very sadly committed suicide. And this was a few years
ago. And in that I remember just wanting to stay in my bed and just be like, okay, I just
want to pull the covers over my head. I don't even want to face today. And those are real
emotions. I mean, that's a real part of grief. And I'm like, no. And I've just trained myself.
No, what's the next right thing? And it's, I don't always know it, but God does. And
I'm like, okay, God, what is that next right thing I need to do? And I guess I read the
Bible already and he was like, go work out. And where I work out is where I pray and I
worship God. And I went down to my basement, I started worshiping God and was within minutes,
maybe even a minute that what was so heavy inside of me was able to come out in a literal
cry to God and release it from me. And then I honestly felt so much better. And so that's
that's part of this. And that's in the book too. But that's part of this whole thing of
like, I don't know what is right next. I don't. Yeah, a lot of times. But I know you do. So
help me. And I know if I would have went back, roll back over and went back to bed, I would
have woken up with that heaviness not released by going to God, worshiping him, giving him
our heart, right? And so yeah, I talk about the hard things in life because it's in those
wounds and those depths that I found God's love runs the deepest. And so a lot of times
that is what I'll talk about. But it's in the everyday. Yeah. In your life. And, you
know, I think everyone I know every one of us has a calling. Yeah, every one of us is
gifted every one of us. So it's like, okay, God, what is it? And I wanted to talk about
to the gifts. Yeah, are a little different than the calling. But there's so hand in hand,
right? Right. And so often it's like, I'll say, you know, and I think it's in here too.
A lot in this book. But anyhow, it's in here too. You know, what is it that people tell
you that you're good at? And so often it's like, oh, that's so, that's so silly that
they would even point that out. Well, one of the things that I thought was just everyday
life for everyone, we think everyone can do the things that, you know, is are easy for
us. And I remember walking to high school, and there was a girl walking and I caught
up with her and hey, how you doing, you know, and she had an issue. And so I just started
talking to her, hey, you know, and I gave her some advice. I don't even know what the
issue is. I don't remember the advice, whatever it was. And when we got done, she's like,
thank you so much. You always helped me. I can't even, I, every time I share something
with you, you give me the best advice. And I remember laughing and thinking, I just love
to do it. Yeah. That's a gift. And I had no idea that was pre Jesus. I mean, Jesus was
in my life. I love God, but I didn't know how to hear from him. But you know, it's,
I wasn't in my actual like seeking him to know him better, you know, seasons, but God
so used to get because the gifts are given at birth. And then once I got, you know, into
this new season, this season now is like, I guess I was a little surprised at first
is like, I love coaching people. I love helping people out of situations. I don't know. I
just see it. I know I, it's a gift. I'm not, that is not braggy. I just, I love what I
get to do. Why it's a gift, but it's also the calling. Yeah. Right. God calls me to
help people. So it's so neat how they go together, but so often we dismiss our gifts. Yeah. You
know, gifts of helps. So many people are like, I don't know. I just love helping people.
That's a gift. Don't minimize it. It's your gift. Right. We've, I've talked about like
Sean and I a while ago did a whole series about purpose. Yeah. And so many people were
talking about, like we talked about purpose, AKA essentially calling and, and like, I remember
Kendall and I remember her talking about it in a way of like your purpose, your calling
goes with you everywhere that you go. And that's been talked about here too. Like, and
the reason I think the reason that is one is internal and two, like you said, and you
can't get away from it because it's inside of you. And then you also have the gifts that
are yours and like those gifts are like, so there are tools to be used and you can, it
could be used just like any tool for good, for good, for evil, for just like very level,
like very, if I had a video, it'd be easier to show, but very like lukewarm things. Yes.
But like, it's no, I'm really happy you brought that up. No gifts are extremely important
and especially to know what they are. I think there's a lot of people out there that make
it like, yeah, I don't really have any talents. Yeah. That's so, that's just, what it is,
is you know, you're dismissing your talents because they come so easy to you. And people
are like, that's not a talent. I'm like, okay, I can't do that. Do you realize like IT, I
can't do that's a gift and a talent. Well, it's so easy because it's your gift. And so
when we, I try to break it down too, in the book, cause it's like, I want you to know
who you are in Christ too. So we can take these, you know, walk out this life of peace
God has for us. But in that it's like, we dismiss so often the very unique gifts that
God gives us. And so, yeah, it's good. And they do work together. And I love that our
purpose our gifts and our calling, you know, let's wrap it all together as one. Yeah. Glorify
God. Right. Yeah. And it's so good. And when you had said about tools, our past and our
present can become tools. And that's also like, you know, the hard things I went through,
I could have, and at times, you know, I'm sure went through the negative sides of them,
you know, as I was healing, but the positive side is, like I said, my pain has served me
well. How, how does pain serve you well, Dawn? That doesn't even make sense. Well, because
guess what? Losing someone at 19. I loved my family so much deeper. I loved others so
much deeper. Yeah, I knew life could be short. And so I'm I've held on to it. Yes, sometimes,
you know, fearfully, you know, especially before the book when I was led by fear. Yeah,
but just realizing this life is not a guarantee. And so I really appreciated people. So in
my mind, I'm like, thank you, God, that I went through the hard things. I never would
see you like I do. I never would see others in the way I probably would have said things
I shouldn't have said, I probably would have been harder on people than I needed to be.
Why? Because I wouldn't have elevated the love that I was able to keep with them and
have with them. Yeah, because loss, open my eyes. So yeah, so it's a tool, right? So God
can use all things together for good. And so many times we think our past will disqualify
us, you know, and I am here to tell you, absolutely not. And I don't even care if you've been
like, well, I've just been going to church all my life. And my family's been Christian.
Good. Do you know what you can give to people? Yeah, yeah, there's so much I had to learn
it firsthand, the hardest way, you know, you might be coming out of it with so many tools
to be like, Oh, this is what you do here. Or this is what helped me there. Yeah, that's
good. I remember I, I always liked giving people advice. I kind of like, but I was never,
I wouldn't always do it in the best way. I would always be the nicest person. Yeah. And
so it's like straightforward. Yeah. Yeah. And like, because I would be like, man, that's
so dumb. I would, I'd be mean and like, but like, I just couldn't like there's sometimes
I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. Yeah. And I like my, I initially started like my
in college at my first freshman year was I was going to be a teacher and freshman year
college. I was like, cause I just, I was like, well, I guess that just seemed like, I like
talking to people. I like teaching people things. Hence the podcast. Yeah. That's so
funny. And I like teaching people things and it's like, and then I learned pretty quickly.
I was like, okay, this is actually what I want to do. And so then I was like, I like
computers as I have always had a gift with computers. So I like them from a young age.
So I was like, I'll just go to computer science, not knowing what programming I didn't know
anything about it. It's like computer science sounds cool. So I like went for that and like,
and I've been developing for seven years, but there's and like, and I've used that in
the pursuit of other things in pursuit of searching for business ventures and things
like that. And like under asking God for certain specific things, I can probably maybe make
another episode about, about that, about a little bit about this, but there's we talked
a lot about like, I think you mentioned that we talked a little bit about the small moments,
right? And, but like there, we talked mainly just about like the big things and like how
God uses those, but can you expand a little bit more about the small moments and how God
uses those? I love that. You know, it reminds me of this, I think it's a song. I don't
know. It's definitely Old Testament, but it talks about God lays out a green pastors for
us. And it's like with borders, you know what I'm saying? Like everywhere in there is where
he wants you to be. And so often it's like, we're looking at the over the edge, like,
yeah, but if I could go down there, you know, and God's like, no, this is where I have you.
So what does that look like? That's in your everyday life. Something else real quick,
God showed me was he put on my heart a long while ago. And he said, you know, he strategically
places all of his people in specific places. Yeah. And he said, and if each and every one
of us shined his light, we would light up the world. And so that's in our everyday lives.
That's in every, every place, no matter where you are. If you're a mom at home, that is
a bright light you are shining. That is like for me, that was my high calling was to be
a stay at home mom and raise my kiddos. I love that. And I felt it was a high calling.
It was a calling I couldn't run from. It was a calling. I couldn't just be like, I'm just
going to do it halfway today because you know, no, I was going to, you know, not that we,
not that it was ever perfect, not that my house is perfect or anything else, but the
calling in me was so strong. That was like, no, I have a responsibility to you, you know,
to love you, to teach you about God, et cetera. And so that's in the everyday life. What does
that look like? I remember when my kids would come downstairs and they'd say, you know,
they were little and I'd say, guys, go play. Mommy's trying to get happy. You know, I just
needed Jesus. Like I was in the broken places and I'm like, I just need you today because
I need your strength. It might be, you know, for me, when I was broken too, I was in the
grocery store and God was teaching me. He loved me. And an older lady would walk by
me and she would smile at me. And I'm like, why does that feel so warm? Yeah. And God's
like, I'm teaching you. I love you. Yeah. Through a smile of somebody I did not even
know. So we can be that to people. Like how do we shine his light? It is in the simplest
ways. And I love that two scriptures. As I was thinking this morning, you know, what
God wanted us to talk about, one of them was, what are we called to? Yeah. The great commission
and also two commands. Love God. And I love this love God with hair. No, love the Lord
your God. See, that's that personalized your God. It's not just love the Lord who is God.
That's completely different than the Lord your God. Yeah. And once you make him your
God like opening up those vulnerable places, let them into all with all of your heart,
with all of your mind and with all of your with all of your soul. So it's heart, soul,
mind, and all of your strength. So it's like all it's like, okay. And our I heard have
been told soul is like your mind, your will, and your emotions. Well, God help me to love
you with my emotions. I mean, I know and you know, that's hence the book also, the ways,
you know, if I started thinking on the wrong things, that can take me down such a negative
path so quickly, and it's gonna affect everyone around me. Yeah. You know, versus just being
like you said, hold my tongue. I remember teaching people and learning it myself. You
won't combust if you don't say that thing. Right. It feels like you're gonna combust.
It does. I'm like, No, I think I need to say that thing. Right. Like, Nope, calm it down.
Think through it. Lay it in my hand. You let me and let's rethinking. But with all your
strength to and the second is like it love your neighbors yourself. And that's out of
Mark 1212 28 through 29. And I absolutely love that. And it's like, if I don't love
him with all, how can I possibly love others? Right? That's why it's in that order. Yeah.
You know, and so and I also want to say loving others is not always in the guess. Sometimes
loving others doesn't know. And so I think that's important too, because sometimes you
talk about love is like, Okay, I have to be a doormat. No, no, no. That's not what God
saying. He's saying, with all your strength, and I love that God is our strength, the other
is spirit. So it's like, No, God, how do you want me to do this? What do you want me to
do? What is the plan you have for me and for this relationship? And I remember when he
was teaching me to say no, no is a and I'm just gonna I might set someone free here tonight.
My our pastor, my one pastor said to me, Don, if you don't get good at saying no to good,
you're gonna miss God's great. Yeah. And I remember even something as small as me helping
out my kids lunches when they were in school. And I kept saying, I feel you're saying no,
it, I'm just gonna be home with you, God, like, filling up with you, like, why can't
I do that? And he's like, say no. And when we say no, when God's telling us to say no,
you know, I did open up a door or someone else to serve, and someone else to connect
with those ladies and you know, whoever was in the kitchen. And so it's like, and then
God filled me up, he had something different for me that day. So our nose can actually
be saying yes to God in different ways. So yeah. And when it comes to calling, I think
sometimes we have to realize it's not just that sugar coated, you know, I'm gonna say
yes to everything. No, I'm gonna follow you God, because you are my God. Yeah. And you're
gonna lead me. Right. Now, like he directs the steps. Yeah. And like, it does make it
a lot easier whenever you're in line with him to know what to say yes to what to say
no to. Yes. Yes. Now, I heard I've heard that before, like, there's so many good things
in the world, so many good things that you could say yes to. But if you keep saying yes
to every good thing, then yeah, you're not leaving room for the great. Yeah, that's really
good. Yeah. Which is God in his role, you know, and people pleasing will take us down
a path that is empty. So for those who are like, we're talking a lot about calling and
all and gifts and all these things. And we also mentioned about people who like they
don't know, like people who don't think they have any gifts, don't think they have any
skills. And what if you were talking directly to someone, like if you talk directly to the
listener right now, and they're not sure what their calling is, and not sure about the gifts
are, what would you say to them? You know what helped me a ton when I didn't know any
of my gifts and callings. One, I emailed a few close, close friends. And I said, Listen,
I have this assignment, I need to ask you a question, please be honest. Yeah. Can you
tell me some things that you see as strengths in my life? Yeah. Something that you see that
I do well, and maybe a place that you think I could be better at. And I was floored when
I got back emails from close friends, the things that they saw in me that I did not
see because I'm too close. They were able to really, each one called out specific things.
I'm like, if you put them together, that's my heart's desire. And it's like I don't we
don't realize we're already usually doing it. Yeah. You know, and so and also I love
like the, and maybe I can give you the link to the quiz that shows you your spiritual
gifts and talents. And it is it was so powerful to see that too. And the one I think gives
you your top five and it's online. So does your top five. And I remember looking at that
and going, No wonder that all is in line with what God's called me to do. Yeah. And so yeah,
I think that it's almost like you get to pull back the cover and see that what God has been
doing all along, but we've maybe missed it. You know, it's like, Oh, okay, you are preparing
me. I did not even know, you know, the things that you were doing. Yeah. So no, that's really,
really good. The second thing is then believe it. Yeah. Because it's one thing for someone
to say, Wow, Thomas, you're so good. I mean, I love how you interact with people, you know,
and I know people are starting to say that to you, if you did a podcast, but you have
to believe it. Yeah, you have to at some point believe like, Okay, no, I think you are calling
me to this to God, seek God about it, and then take those first faithful steps and saying,
Okay, is this you? Yeah, you know, and we, faith comes in many different sizes. And the
little shaky faith is still faith. And it's good faith, you know, it's bizarre, because
like, I'm, I have way more of introverted leanings. And I think a podcast was like the
perfect thing for me to do in that sense. Because, like, one, because it prepares me
to do bigger things. It makes me want to be able to be on stage one day, talk, speaking
to more people. But also, though, it's like it was where I where I had to start. Because
I had, I always felt like I had so much to say, but then we get like, and now it's like,
wait for people to give me the opportunity. Yes. And without asking. And but then, whenever
I started the podcast, which without really thinking about it in this way, it became my
became my kind of outlet to be able to say these things to people that I've always wanted
to tell people. Right. And you're inviting people in, right, which is for the introvert,
right? It's like, it's hard. But it's on my terms, like, I'm inviting you in here. I'm
not going to where you are. So it's more comfortable with that, too. Yeah. You know, and so it
does it goes, you know, hand in hand with giftings. And, and, you know, with the giftings,
every single gift we have, like, I have a gift of faith. Okay. But what's the opposite
of that fear? And that very thing can become an obstacle to the to what God's called me
to. And so we have to watch to know your gifts, but then look and say, Okay, wait, what's
trying to hinder me from that gift? And I think faith and fear is one of the biggest
easiest for me to see because it's mine. But I could give in to fear and not do it. I can
give in to fear and then pause and contemplate and you know, hinder my steps forward. Why?
Because I need to look at Okay, wait, you're an obstacle. Yeah. You know, what's the worst
that can happen? You know, I think that that worst case scenario is always how's it what's
the worst can happen? I'll embarrass myself. Okay, so what? You'll you'll be fine. Yeah,
you know, you won't know what to do. It's okay. God's with me. If he's probably to
it, he'll get me through it. Yeah, that's what you know, has helped me to. He equips
us for our callings. Right. Yeah. And so it's never everything that you have. It's what
God's gonna give to you in the moment. Just like we pray before this. I guess why we want
God's will. Yeah, right. We're gonna come show up here. I have suffered and done sure,
but God, you know, I'm trusting you to lead us. And if I say nothing, that's fine. That
I wrote done. It's your spirit and he equips us and that I think is belief to I believe
that you will cook me for this. And then, you know, by his spirit, he helps us to get
through and I love you know, the same spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the dead now
can live in you. Like, so when I said yes to Jesus, his spirit is what made me have
joy and peace. The fruit of the spirit, you know, well, that doesn't mean that I don't
have to, you know, develop myself. No, it just means I have a helper and I love that
he calls himself the helper that's going to help me every single step of the way. Yeah.
So we went from your like, from when you were born, and I've gotten kind of through like
what you're doing now. Can you give a little bit more insight into like how you've your
kind of perception of calling has changed over time? Because I know we kind of touched
on each separate piece, but let's go a little bit more in depth on that, on that, like on
calling and like, yeah, how it's changed for you. Well, I think from the time God said
I have, you know, want you to speak and teach, you know, write a book. I'm thinking I could
not even see it for myself. So I think that's where I started. I couldn't even see it. I
honestly, I didn't feel called to anything. I just knew I wanted to be a wife and a mother,
you know, but the depth that I got in with God, that's when he started teaching me about
the word of God. And, and it became like a, I don't know, like a flame in me, one that,
you know, consumed the negatives and started teaching me right things. But also like, I
wanted to share it with someone else. And that was when I started touching with the
gifts, you know, and it's like, who can I share this with? And I remember one of my
friends, there were three of us and she said, I want you to teach us, we would get together,
maybe, I don't know if it's every other week or monthly. And she'd say, I want you to teach
us. And I said, No, it's like the blind leading the blind. Like, I don't know, I'm not that
far ahead of you. And she's like, but you got it. I know you can do it. And what that
did was set me down to start seeking God for words and messages. And honestly, that was
probably the best gift I was given by God was that someone else expected me to hear
from God and give them something. And it was awesome. And I'm like, okay, this is addicting.
Like I, God gave me something for me. I shared it with you and it helped you. Wow. Okay.
And that's really how calling just started showing me and then God calling me to specific
things. One of the things when I had to surrender, it was don't tell them what I've done for
you. Because if you tell them what I've done for you, they will have hope I can do it for
them. So that was the thing for me is like, okay, we're never too far. We're, you know,
we're never too broken, too fearful to you know, too anxious. It's like, no, our God
is good and connect with him and then me tell my story and the how to's, you know, and,
and know that God will meet them in their specific ways. I think for me, part of calling
was, well, if it worked this way for me, I did a, b and c, you know, if you do a, b and
c exact same way to help you and then they did D, E and F and it worked for them. And
I'm like, wait, and God's like, yes, I work uniquely with each and every one. So we're
not giving answers of like, you know, you check these boxes. It's like, this is what
helped me. You seek the creator and he'll show you in your own calling. Yeah. And yeah,
so that was, and I also say about calling too is we always there is always a God sized
step in it. Always. And that God sized step I know when I asked like to share a message
that was on my heart, you know, he is faithful and I was at the church and I asked them they're
like, yeah, sure. That sounds awesome. And so we're getting all these signups and a lot
of women are coming and I'm like, what was I thinking that God sized step right before
me the week of, you know, prepared for a month and this the week of and this big message
I'm teaching and it was like, why do I ask for these things? Why do I say I want to do
these things? They're so big. What if I screw up? Oh my gosh, you know, this is all and
it's like, slow down. And I just said, you know what, God, you're going to speak through
me and we just have to keep come back to the truth. This is your will. You open a door
for me. I'm going to trust that. And again, isn't that what we need to do is just go to
the creator who created us and has this moment for us. And so then it takes everything back
down and it's like, okay, it's back in your hands. There's nothing I can do about it.
So except for prepare, be ready and love you and love others. Yeah. No, that's thank you
for going into that. I think it was, um, it's important to, I think it's important to think
about your, like you say, like you used to think calling, like, like there was like,
your calling was to give the exact steps on what to do, a, b and c. And like that's, I
can think about that in my life. It's like, yeah, like the, and not just that this worked
for me or like, okay, oh, well this didn't work for me. That means it won't work for
you either. Right. Like that's not like, it's not the case. And there's like, so really,
I appreciate you going into, into that with the, uh, with the mind of, you know, just
giving us, you know, giving us a little bit more. Uh, yeah, God does it his way. Right.
And I think that was what helped me too is God is equally your God, right? As he is my
God, he has a different calling for your life, but we can sharpen one another. We can help
one another, you know, and to me, that's the body. That's the church in action. And so,
yeah, I, I love that and, and not hold any expectation on anyone except for, I know God's
good and he'll, yeah, you meet with him and he'll, he'll give you something to take away.
And I love that. Yeah. My confidence is in him. Yeah. Well, thank you. And I, I know
you mentioned your book a lot. We're gonna make sure we link that into show notes. Um,
and to work on wrapping up a little bit, um, we always wrap up with these last two questions.
So first being, who would you recommend to, uh, be on the pursuit of calling as a guest?
My son, Luke, which I know you've asked him. I know, I know. Um, but I love that even our
kids can see and have depths of God. Yeah. That even that we don't, which is awesome.
And I learned from him a lot and we do have a lot of the same gift things, but I, I love
learning from him. So that's really cool. And then what kind of resources would you
recommend to people there when it comes to calling, uh, growth, what would you recommend?
Um, one to be in your word. Um, and I think I'm going to offer it to your, your audience,
um, because we're talking about, uh, calling him word. It came to me as soon as you said
that I have a, um, a, uh, course that I put together and it has like how to read the Bible,
why to read the Bible, things like that. And it's the word and transformation through the
word. Um, and then I also have like a, uh, 30 day pod or a 30 day, um, uh, devotional
that you could do with that, but you can set up a time, setting up a time to meet with
God is the best thing you could possibly do. And I walk you through that, how to set up
your own time, because again, we're unique. Yeah. Your timings that work for you don't
work for me or whatever, but I give you things so that you can create your own routine with
God. And I think the word routine can be like, Oh gosh, our routine. No, no, no. It's something
you can look forward to something that is a place in a time that you set apart, just
like eating. We have to eat every single day. So it's something we can set apart and say,
no, this is time that, um, I want to get to know you more. I need to get to know you more.
And, um, and in that, I believe is a video that God taught me on, um, bring your cup
in. And it is so good. And it shows us, you know, daily to bring our cup in. So it's a,
it's an awesome, uh, little video I gave, but, um, filling up with God, believing who
he is and knowing who you are. Um, I'll send the link to do the quiz. It's like the, uh,
gifting quiz and, um, I don't know, have a couple of friends that, you know, even if
it's just one other person that believes in you or will walk with you and tell you the
honest truth, but yet see your goodness because I really believe sometimes we can't see it
for ourselves. So we do have to be in community with other people that were like, Oh my gosh,
you are such an encourager. Like, Oh, I didn't even realize that. Yeah. So I think that's
so key too. So, you know, God, others, there you go. God, others. And, um, I don't know.
And then taking those little willing steps of like, okay, God, if that is show me how
that works out. What does that look like? You know, and, um, just working with God.
Yeah. That's great. I want, can I share this a few points I had real quick? Sure. I have,
um, I just wanted to leave with your listeners, believe the best about God. You know, I think
so often we put such a negative, uh, maybe our earthly fathers were rough or missing.
So we think God's rough or missing. It's not the truth. God's with us. He's always with
us. Um, believe the best about God. He loves you. He called him to yourself. He empowers
you daily and he is with you. And I love, love, love. And this is in my book and a page,
um, one 53 and this is the scripture and Hebrews 13, 15 B through six. And this is the amplify,
which I love, um, for certain scriptures for he has said, I will, and this is God never
under any circumstance desert you nor give you up nor leave you without support. Yeah.
Wow. Nor will I add in any degree, leave you helpless nor why forsake you or let you down
or relax my hold on you. I surely not. So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently
say the Lord is my helper in time of need. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
God's with us. He's never going to leave us. So I just want to leave that with your listeners.
He's a good, good father and he loves them tremendously and he's in it with them. So
thank you. And thank you guys for listening to this episode of the pursuit of calling
podcast. If you liked this episode, you can share it out on your social, on your social
media platforms, give us a five star review and we'll see you next time. Right. See you.