I’ve had the opportunity of getting to know Amanda Boozer through our Thursday morning Bible study time.  I love to hear her excitement for God.  Amanda shares some of her story of how she has walked and grown in her relationship with God in today’s post.  Enjoy hearing from my friend, Amanda Boozer.

Even at an early age while growing up in Clarksville TN, or at least by the time I was in high school, if you asked any of my family or closest friends what I was passionate about, they would have all answered basketball. Sure, they would probably think about how much I loved my family, how much I cherished my friendships, that I went to church, and yes… Alabama football. But I lived and breathed basketball. I played in college, while getting my degree in Math and secondary education so I could teach math, and coach basketball, of course. My passion!

I have always had a pretty good prayer life with a great relationship with God. Now hear me out, I have not had a perfect godly life by all means, but I do feel like things always work out for me. I have friends who still today will say the same thing about me. I know that things always work out for me because I follow where God is leading me. Sometimes it’s where I want to go, and sometimes it’s where I know I need to go. It’s pretty nice when those things are the same. Whether I was praying before each game or saying my prayers at night, I knew no matter what happened God had a reason for everything He did in my life. I had no need to worry because I trusted in God’s plan for me.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Philippians 4:6

I believe that God allowed me to follow my dreams of playing and coaching basketball to get me where I am today. During my 7 years of coaching basketball, I ended up down in Florida teaching math and coaching basketball, tennis, and volleyball. I loved it! It was “my” dream come true. I wouldn’t have traded any of it. I finally reached my ultimate dream position as the head coach of the girl’s varsity basketball team. I felt I would be there till the day I retired at a nice old age. At that time in my life I started feeling a tug… I wasn’t sure what it was because I was where I wanted to be. I will have to say during this time in my life as fun as it was living near the beach and fulfilling “my passion”, I felt I was still missing something.

God made it clear to me that it was time to move on as much as I didn’t like it. I felt at peace with the decision to leave after much time and prayer. My friends and family have always been amazed (I guess you could say) at how I make a decision to act so quickly when it comes to moving or trying something new. I don’t see the big deal. I’m just following where God is leading me. After moving back to TN then to AL, I struggled for a while not knowing what God wanted me to do next. In the midst of continual prayer, I felt that God was telling me that my basketball coaching career was finished, or at least on a time out for now.

[Tweet “God made it clear to me that it was time to move on as much as I didn’t like it.”]

I have always enjoyed helping people which are the jobs I have gravitated towards. I know God wants me in a place where I can help others. I thought that was teaching and coaching basketball, and it was for a while. As of now it looks like the idea of retiring at a nice old age was actually the age 30, but who knows what God has planned for me in the future.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” –Ecclesiates 3:1

On August 4th, 2012, I married a wonderful godly man and between our love for each other and our shared love for Alabama football, I’m happy to say we strive everyday to live more like Jesus. I have a lot of work to do, but I now feel like some people in my life if asked what I was passionate about they would say Jesus. I do still need to grow so much, but I am grateful for my salvation and for each day I have to impact those around me. I am closer to God than I ever have been. My prayer life gets better and better and I am now starting to see God’s purpose for me.

I finally got the privilege to go on my first ever international mission trip. I went to an orphanage in Haiti with 8 godly people. It was an experience that changed me in so many ways. The children were so happy to see us and have that interaction with us that it broke my heart knowing they were moved by such a small act. When I got back, I felt so guilty for all that I had and still do. God put it on my heart that missions was something that I was going to be involved with in more ways than just going on that mission trip. I am now working at Willowbrook Baptist Church as the Local Missions Coordinator and I love getting the opportunity to help others.

[Tweet “I get to use my passion for the purpose to serve God by serving others.”]

Through prayer God has led me on an amazing journey and it’s great to know I am on His path and that it doesn’t stop here. It is completely clear now that God’s purpose is much bigger for me than anything I ever dreamed. I believe what we are passionate about can change and it’s ok to have more than one passion as long as that passion is fueled by Jesus Christ. I am excited to see what God has in store for me as the future unfolds.

[Tweet “It is completely clear now that God’s purpose is much bigger for me than anything I ever dreamed.”]

Question: What would it look like for you to use your passion for the purpose of serving God?