Bobbi Whelchel
From Brokenness
At the age of 8 my mind was desperately longing for understanding and my heart searching for love and acceptance. My parents had divorced, my dad remarried, and I was left confused and broken. A “New Home” and “New Family” brought uncertainty and insecurity. Who do I love? Who loves me? Where is home? How do I earn approval? In the middle of the storm God had a plan. He had blessed me with a family who loved the Lord and knew that church was vital for picking up the pieces and rebuilding. The love, acceptance, and approval I was searching for were found within the four walls of a little country church. Each week with every Sunday school class, hymn, and sermon the faithful servants of Plainview Baptist were planting seeds and God was tugging at my heart.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT
I’d love to say that upon my acceptance of Jesus, life was hunky dory from that point forward. However, that is far from true. What I can say is that God changed me from the inside out. My heart was full of love, joy, a desire to know him more, and a new found peace. God began molding me as he walked beside me through every high and every low. Many times along the way, to where I am today, I lost my way or rather I wandered from His Way into my own. Hallelujah, Praise the Lord, He did not leave me there, but waited patiently, continually calling me home. This masterpiece that God began all those years ago is not complete. My artist has a lot of work yet still, to reach perfection. I am so thankful that He does not grow impatient and continues to make beauty out of my mistakes and imperfections.
To Blessed
Today I am joyfully married with three “perfect” children…. pause for laughter…. a son and two daughters who possess too many of their mother’s characteristics to be perfect. The love of children and the desire to learn was placed in my heart at an early age. It was an easy choice to begin a teaching career. However over the years a new stirring has begun in my heart. God has slowly revealed to me that teaching His word is my true calling. Each day I strive to serve the Lord in my home, church, school, and all of the kiddos sports arenas. I am far from perfect but thankful I serve a God who is merciful and allows me to begin each day anew. I attend Campfield Memorial Baptist Church in Ellenboro, NC. Teaching women, children, and youth are some of the ways that God is using this hot mess of a gal currently. My prayer is that God continues to fill me with his message so that I might share it with you.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
Desires of the Heart 