by Lillie Smith, Volunteer Client Advocate
I had been volunteering at Wise Choices for three years when I had to miss my regular Monday shift due to illness. Later that same week, I had interviewed for a paid position with a local health service organization. After the interview I stopped for an afternoon soda. Knowing how everyone at Wise Choices enjoyed afternoon sodas, I called and took drink orders.
As I pulled out of the restaurant and was headed to deliver drinks, I was praying and asking God where Wise Choices fit into my life and how my volunteer work there might be affected with the possibility of accepting the job for which I had just interviewed.
As I arrived at the center with drinks, the executive director met me with a very enthusiastic greeting, “I can’t wait to tell you what happened on Monday when you weren’t here! One of your clients from a year ago brought in a friend who was in trouble and specifically asked to see you. She said that the reason she had brought her here was because when she had come a year ago and talked to you that the one hour conversation she had with you was the most meaningful one she had ever had in her life…she wanted that for her friend too.”
My response…”I hear you Lord!!!” I knew then where Wise Choices fit into my life and that I could not leave my Monday volunteer position. It also made it convenient to turn down the job I had just interviewed for because they were unwilling to accommodate my need to have one day off a week to volunteer at the center. I know God is at work at Wise Choices and I have to join Him here.