Share Your Blessings

Growing up in a small southern town afforded me limited exposure to the real world. I enjoyed reading about faraway places. One of the places that intrigued me and I frequently longed to see was New York City. But I had no hope that this desire would ever become a reality. God, however, had a plan already in place that included not only New York City but also the ability to visit four other continents. My first adventure was an invitation to live with a relative in Pennsylvania who was not a Seventh-day Adventist, with the understanding that I would be able to work and save for school. That proved to be a great disappointment.

I ended up being the babysitter and housekeeper.

God was there with me in the midst of my pain and disappointment. One Sabbath at church a Bible worker reached out to me and later invited me to go with her to visit her sister, who lived in Massachusetts. What a wonderful experience.

She then encouraged me to go to Massachusetts, live with her sister, and work at the local hospital. This became one of the most enjoyable and rewarding opportunities in my educational journey. I began calling her sister Aunt Roseva.

She was a friend to all the youth and provided Christian counseling and guidance. I was blessed with a job as a nursing assistant at the hospital.

Aunt Roseva’s friend from Jamaica, New York, visited her often. When I shared my desired goal with her, she immediately invited me to go to New York and work for better pay. Aunt Roseva approved the plan. What a blessing! I got a job at the state hospital and was able to enroll in the school of nursing and receive a biweekly stipend.

Once I had completed the diploma program, I was motivated to achieve a bachelor of science in nursing and then a master’s degree. When I count God’s goodness toward me, I am moved to share His blessings and help provide financial assistance to students on their educational journey. I know I will never amass wealth with so many students in need, but God has poured out His blessings on me, so how can I do anything less than show my thankfulness and gratitude to Him by helping others? When we share our blessings, God delights to bless us even more!

Mary Head Brooks