Transformation

I first became aware of the power of transformation around the age of eighteen. I’d moved far away from home to live independently from Mom and worked as a waitress at a little restaurant called the Mill Creek Inn.

The cook at this hole in the wall restaurant reminded me of Humphrey Bogart. Bob was lean, broad shouldered, with dark thick hair that he greased back. He had an East Coast accent and often carried on conversations with a lit cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.

But, Bob was an important character in my life at that time. I knew he kept a fatherly eye on me and I was grateful. He noticed how hard I worked, and how polite I was to each customer. He also knew that at times I got flustered with some of the patrons.  

  I was never too sure how to respond to the men who got too fresh with me. But, I could count on Bob to my rescue. He could move quickly and gracefully coming out from the kitchen carrying those impolite men their food. He’d serve them with a smile while also giving them a firm, but friendly reprimand. Bob was a trustworthy guy. 

 Then, one night, after the restaurant had closed, I sat at the counter counting my tips. Bob leaned over from the other side of the counter and said, “You know, you don’t have to be a waitress for the rest of your life. You are smart enough to go to college.”  

Bob’s words took me by surprise. I was smart enough to go college? I’d never heard anyone say that about me before. And though waitressing was not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life, it was all I had in mind for myself for the rest of my life. 

Bob’s words, though, suddenly awakened me to other possibilities. His words gave me enough courage to investigate something I’d never fathomed before for myself. 

A few years later, I graduated from college with honors and realized that, thanks to Bob, I have the power to transform.

Transforming Power 

Since then, I’ve learned more and more about this power to transform. For instance, the power to change does not come from self effort. Instead, the ability to reform is a direct reflection of God’s life lived out in me. 

Transforming is not instantaneous. Rather, it is a practice. As we choose to trust God, our minds are renewed with truth. Noxious thinking about ourselves and others is replaced with truthful thinking. An unforgiving mindset is replaced with a forgiving one and hopefulness takes the place of hopelessness. 

Why Bother?

Why bother transforming? Why not bother transforming? God waits for us to explore and enjoy any one of the wondrous possibilities made just for us.

You can read my whole story in my book, A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness found at Redemption Press and Amazon.