Many leaders have a “vision” about their particular projects, missions, or corporations. I am no different. Over my lifetime, I’ve had many such visions. My husband has always had “plans” such as a five year plan, ten year plan and an “eventually” plan. My visions have not been on the timeline order, but they have always grown out of my convictions.
As a teenager who was most impressed with the life story made into a movie about Peter Marshall, a Scottish preacher who became chaplain of the U.S. Senate, I had a vision of living a God-centered life based upon the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Catherine Marshall, the widow of Peter Marshall, corresponded twice with me during my life about how God leads us to fulfill our “calling” and how we find that success through faith and prayer. Her many books came into my possession, strangely enough, at just the perfect time…given to me randomly by people whose paths I crossed. This guidance, along with my practice of daily Bible reading, has been a roadmap for me for over sixty years…and has always led me to success. I give God the credit.
When fifty Hmong families moved into my school district in the 1970s, I had one of those “project” visions. We had passed a bond issue that allowed us to build a gymnasium for our school. However, we didn’t have the funds to put in a floor. I prayed about the dilemma and asked our city’s philanthropic foundation if they would grant us the funding. I was immediately informed that the answer was “No, because they do not fund school projects.”
I could not give up on the “vision” I had for my students, American and Hmong alike. One night I was awakened with the strongest feeling that I must sit down and write to that same Foundation again…pleading my case. I explained how the floor would really help benefit not only our children, but these refugees who risked their families’ lives to help the Americans against the Vietcong. I swore my secretary to secrecy as she typed the letter I had scrawled out in the wee hours of the morning. I told God in my prayers, I believe this directive is from You. So, when it happens, I will give You the credit!
It wasn’t but a week or so until my husband was approached by the chairman of that Foundation who said, “Your wife’s letter to us reached us and caused us to rethink the decision.
Our school received the funding for the gym floor, I made sure that God’s awakening me in the night to write the letter was written into the official school board minutes of our district. The funny outcome was my students would tell me on different occasions their parents would tell them that when Mrs. Johnson prays for something…it happens!”
My “vision” for education and my “vision” as a teenager to help young people not to suffer because of abusive home situations, and to help gifted students to be successful regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, hasn’t changed in the long term. However, I have had my vision altered several times as my daughter, Michelle, became part of the ABRAIN corporation. Her visions have expanded what I dared to dream. The excitement of seeing God bring success through her visions and those of J.T., her husband, has been most rewarding.
I can’t imagine life without some sort of vision out there in front of me toward which I am working. And recently, my granddaughter Bria and Tony have come along side us and brought even more vision of what can be. In fact, I figure there’s enough vision and purpose now to keep Jim and me active for another six to ten years!
It is a good feeling to watch a vision take shape, begin to breathe, and then to take on life of its own. I have had that pleasure many times over during my life. I haven’t even mentioned the sheer joy I receive every time a former student contacts me to tell me of his success in life. It is probably this last statement that is the reason so many people become teachers, or any kind of leader in the first place.
One thing I know: leaders who have become so because of a “vision” in their mind and heart are some of the most joyous people I know.
- Kay