My Super Power
By Shannon Anderson
I have always been full of determination. Ok, my mom calls me bull-headed, but I prefer to think of my stubborn drive as grit. Once I set my mind on something, I will make extreme sacrifices and find creative solutions to reach my goal.
In middle school, I wanted to have the Guess jeans that everyone else was wearing, I babysat for months to earn enough money to buy a pair. I also bought a cheap Guess purse at a garage sale, cut off the triangular Guess label, and sewed it onto a pair of my no-name jeans. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
In high school, I found out my parents weren’t planning to send me to college. I had always been a serious honor roll student, but I really kicked it in when I realized I needed to earn some good scholarships to pay for my tuition. I missed out on a lot of social opportunities with all of my studies and high school jobs, but I graduated salutatorian of my class and received a nice scholarship to pay for most of my schooling.
Although my parents didn’t go to church often, I was blessed with a strong faith for as long as I can remember. I didn’t know a lot about the Bible, but I knew that Jesus loved me and that God was real. I prayed a lot, but didn’t have a saving knowledge of Him until I was an adult.
I worked hard in college, started teaching right after I graduated, and held down a second job as a waitress to make ends meet. I was determined to be the best teacher from the start, to make enough money to pay for my apartment and car, and somehow make a good life.
Stress and fear were always present. I worried about money, about teaching perfect lessons, about the weight I had gained from not eating right or exercising enough, and if I would ever find someone to share my life with. I was lonely, being 2 hours away from my family, and sometimes felt like I was spinning out of control.
After two years, I started dating someone from high school, moved back to my home town, and planned our wedding. We bought a house, had 2 daughters, and in the meantime, I continued my path of perseverance, trying to hold down extra jobs, holding positions on every committee imaginable, got my master’s degree, and taught college level classes in the evenings.
It wasn’t until I joined a Bible study class with one of my running friends, yes I also began running marathons, that I became saved and started to learn some important lessons about and from God.
It turns out, I was not in control. I was never supposed to be.
God is in control of it all. What a relief! He has a perfect plan, so I don’t have to strive for perfection. He will take care of my needs, so I don’t ever have to live in fear or worry.
My life changed when I realized that I didn’t have to be Super Woman. My super power is God and He is all I need. I’m still full of determination and my family and friends would tell you I still try to do too much, but when I start to feel frazzled, I know God has my back.
I work hard teaching at school, on the books that I write, and on the presentations I give, but my faith that it will all work out according to His plan, is where my strength comes from. I no longer rely on my own power. It took me awhile to realize my kryptonite was my “bull-headed” control issues. With God + grit, I can accomplish anything if it is in His plan.
About Shannon Anderson:
Shannon is a third grade teacher and children’s book author. She’s the regional advisor for the Indiana Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and still enjoys running, very early in the mornings. She shares her home with her police chief hubby, two teen daughters, 2 cats, 2 rats, and 2 lizards. You can find out more about her at shannonisteaching.com.
Be sure to check out Shannon’s book, Monster and Dragon Write Poems. It’s super cute and encourages kids to try new things.
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