My Mother liked to tell me about the day she helped me pray for God’s forgiveness when I was 4 years old. No, I don’t remember the words or circumstances but I trust my Mother and accepted her memory.

Grade school was especially difficult because I stuttered so badly I could hardly talk. I have a specific memory of an awful day and asking my Mom why Jesus wouldn’t help me talk clearly. She again showed me how to pray, asking God to forgive me, and heal my inability to talk clearly. Fascinating, I now make my living speaking in public.

In High School I struggled with the reality that I grew up in a relatively normal Christian home but I didn’t have a dramatic before and after salvation story. Most teen speakers in that day had great life changing stories describing the change after a conversion experience with Christ. I didn’t.

My mentor at the time was our Youth for Christ Director, Rev. Louis Peskett. He reminded me again and again that God had a plan and I was in it. Also, that God designed me uniquely for his purpose. I didn’t need a dramatic before and after story. I didn’t have the dramatics because that wasn’t in God’s plan for me. I just needed to ask God to forgive my sin and accept his gift of salvation.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

I take prayer and my relationship with my Heavenly Father seriously. My career has included the extreme pressure and negative challenges of the corporate world. Then, the equally prayer filled thrilling, and unique challenges of ministry. I know that God lives in my heart and I’m thankful.

Leadership is … living God’s plan

Yours in Service,

Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com

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