Do you think you can? A children’s story from the 1930’s, ‘The Little Engine That Could’, tells of a small switch engine that was asked to pull a long train up over a high mountain. Lots of larger engines refused to try. Someone had to do it, so the optimistic little engine succeeded by repeating to himself, “I think I can! I think I can!” And he did!

A Bible story from 1 Samuel tells of a young son who left his sheep and went to the battlefield where someone was needed to slay Goliath who terrorized and defied the armies of God. Lots of older men of Israel, including David’s brothers, refused to try. Someone had to do it, so the optimistic, young David succeeded by repeating to himself, I can do it – ‘I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.’ With only five shiny stones in his shepherd’s bag, his staff, and his faith in God…David declared he could kill the giant. And he did!

Throughout the Bible we read stories where those God asked to do the impossible were ordinary people of their day; yet, they believed and declared, I think I can, I think I can! And they did!

Noah built the ark, Joseph went from pit to palace, David became King, Moses divided the Red Sea, Ruth stuck with Naomi and married Boas, Queen Esther became queen and saved her people, Rahab helped the spies, saved her family, and was in the lineage of Jesus, and the list of biblical believers who thought they could (and they did) goes on. God took ordinary men and women and used them to do extraordinary things.

God is still looking for people who believe in His miracle working, lifesaving power in the blood of the lamb and ‘think they can do what He has called them to do. Are you one of those ordinary people doing extraordinary things? Jennifer Brewer is!

This story stirs in my heart as I marvel at how God works all things out for good when we believe. A beautiful blonde, cancer survivor, legally blind, young woman of faith asked (three times) if she could volunteer at Tim’s Gift in 2015. Having never met Jennifer Brewer, oh I, of little faith in what she could do, kindly declined all three times. When a state representative for Health and Human Resources came to Tim’s Gift and told how gifted Jennifer was and asked would I give her a chance… I said, ‘I don’t think she can work here with her handicap, but let’s pray’! And we did!

Praying changes things. Believing you can do what looks impossible takes courage. Having faith to step where few dare to trod pleases God. Jennifer prayed, believed, and stepped sweetly and slowly inside Tim’s Gift on May 19, 2015 with a smile that stole my heart and got God’s attention. Many people would have refused to try, not Jennifer. She trusted Christ and accepted the challenge to work alongside me giving help and hope to people in need here at home. She said, ‘I think I can.’ And she does – with grace, generosity, and goals to glorify God and give help to His children…red or yellow, black or white – they are all precious in her sight.

Jennifer and I are like two peas in a pod; nothing ever gets her in a wad. She is competent, confident, caring, and careful to do unto others as she wants them to do unto her. Jennifer keeps me on track and reels me in, knowing how excited and long winded I get every now and then. My love and respect for Jennifer grow sweeter and stronger each day (gift) we are given to get up and go to work together. Every day we share giving help and hope and having the time of our lives (It’s not boring but beautiful working together at Tim’s Gift), makes me ever so grateful Jennifer is by my side.

This week, Jennifer, Chris, and I celebrate her two year anniversary working at Tim’s Gift. We invite you to stop by and give Jennifer a high five, hug, and help her see the encouragement and support from a Christ centered community who appreciates her services and applauds her courage to think “I can”…and do it every day!

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By Becky Spell Vann

Contributing columnist

Becky Spell Vann is the owner and operator of Tim’s Gift and The Learning Station.