Today’s guest post is by Elwanda Cornelius.

Returning home from our time of service in Nigeria I was learning to open to God’s will rather than my own wants. We are encouraged to have consistency in our Christian life. “So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephes.  5:17). 

Returning to the United States in 1992 after a call to overseas mission service, I felt a deep sense of commitment and felt that I had to be chiseled from the concrete.   This was not an easy task.  I had an open slate and had to learn to be open to His Spirit. 

After eight years of overseas mission service and in my early fifties; I was able to gain employment in my career field of Medical Technology and Clinical Chemistry at Lab. Corp.  I worked the midnight shift there for over five years.  It downsized. 

I worked for the WMU of Virginia, working with Baptist Women throughout the state of Virginia.  While there, I enrolled in Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond to work on a Master of Divinity degree.  I did not complete the degree but was able to do an internship in Pastoral Care with the Virginia Department of Corrections (Prison Lay Chaplain).  After three years, it downsized. 

With my prison internship and work as a lay chaplain, I was able to gain employment at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women as a Rehabilitation Counselor.  During my time there, I learned that the Lord had a sense of humor.  I had never been in a jail before but He sent me to work in a Maximum-Security unit.  The Lord strengthened my faith as I learned to love these women, teach them life skills, live out my life before them and meet their needs. 

To me they were like the “girl next door”.   Some were like “broken crayons” with addictions, mental health and medical challenges but they were still useful.  They needed to be nurtured and empowered to know that they are part of God’s Creation.  He loves and forgives.  I retired from the prison after almost ten years of driving two hours round trip, four days per week, in 2010. 

On retiring from the prison ministry, I realized that I had learned from my life behind walls.  Being open removes barriers and opens one up to the importance of ministering to those in prison, fighting for criminal justice, and the daily unjust experiences of humanity.  “I was in prison” (Matt. 25: 36) takes on a special meaning for me.  From this prison experience, I learned card-making skills from the prison staff for Special Olympics fundraisers.  I have been able to cultivate this passion and continue to use it to the Glory of God.  I have been able to work with Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation, church groups and WMU groups in teaching this craft.   

My spiritual journey is strengthened through continued expressions of love throughout my community of faith.  As a Christian, I have learned to bear “one another’s burdens” as we experience health challenges, trials and tribulation, grief and loss, and other disappointments.   I am learning to pray without ceasing, search the Scriptures, meditate on God’s Word and know God’s will for my life, worship Him and reach out to others. 

For me, being open is coming to that point when I realize that each moment in time in Your (Christ’s) Presence intersects with our march to eternity.