Editor’s Note: Many of you know the amazing Susie Watkins, who serves our church in our ministries to children and to missionaries. Today she shares a bit of her faith and family stories as they relate to what we are studying this week from Malachi 3. It’s a joy to welcome her back to ufcwomen.blog.
Describe a time in your life when God provided for you above and beyond anything you ever expected. How did that strengthen your faith in Him?
When I left for college, I was young and untested in my faith. I figured there were two paths in front of me — the fun, debaucherous one or the pious, boring one. I didn’t expect to find the coolest and most fun friends would also be earnest about following Jesus. They modeled a way of following Jesus that upended my stereotypes and made me want what they had. Jesus used these friends to make college a time of major spiritual growth in my life.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt God asking you to risk something big in order to be obedient to Him? What was the outcome?
You could call my husband Chris a dreamer. He has started five different companies and gotten two graduate degrees in the 16 years we’ve been married. And he’d start four more companies tomorrow if I would be on board with it. Growing up my family was the opposite of this. My parents were overly focused and conservative, especially in terms of money and financial security. Through the ups and downs of Chris’ business ventures, the Lord has repeatedly asked me to trust Him and His plan for Chris. Meanwhile, the Lord isn’t just working on Chris. He has been working on my concept of finances and security. Now after 16 years, I can safely say we have the perfect marriage. Hahaha! What I can safely say is that the Lord is using Chris to refine me and vice versa. We are works in progress.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Susie Watkins lived in North Carolina, Colorado, Maryland (where she and Chris met and got hitched), and Washington, before moving to Eugene in 2010. Susie and Chris have two kids, Renee (12) and Silas (9), and a quarantine puppy named Izzy (15 months). Susie enjoys playing and watching sports, reading a good book, and working as a dentist at her “tiny drilling” company called PNW Dental.
How can you use the current blessings in your life to point others to Jesus?
It’s safe to say that 2020 was a stressful year. Probably the most stressful of my life in fact! Between COVID, being a new owner of a dental practice, kids doing school at home, my son’s scary ski accident, fires, politics, racial tensions — what a year! And yet, each time I was overwhelmed and admitted to Jesus that I needed help and wisdom, the Holy Spirit showed up as promised to comfort and guide my way.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Even amidst the storm that was 2020, I felt the peace described in these verses, of my heart and mind being guarded by Jesus. This God-granted peace is something that is unique to believers. I pray that this peace is recognizable to the non-believers in my life and I will give credit to Jesus when they ask for my source of peace.