Are you willing to try something completely new?

"A man's steps are directed by the Lord."

- Proverbs 20:24 (NIV)

When I was a young schoolgirl, one year my teacher approached me and a friend to do a special project for our school's science fair.

Eager to please we signed up for the assignment - even though we weren't sure what it was she wanted us to do. I have to admit the mystery was a little intriguing.

My friend and I, were given a book that showed the mystery of reproduction. Our teacher instructed us that we were to mold out of clay the process of birth. This included a sperm cell, an egg cell, and each stage a baby goes through up to the time of birth.

We were thinking what an amazing task for two fifth-graders to accomplish. However, our teacher assured us she would help.

We worked on our project tediously to study and form these clay figures. They actually started taking shape right before our eyes. The models were coming to life. The more we worked on the project the more fascinated I became with the process of birth.

The day of the fair arrived and the whole gymnasium was filled with projects. Our classmates started coming to our display and asking questions. We soon found ourselves teaching others what we had learned. We were drawing quite a crowd. People were no longer hanging around erupting volcanoes to learn the mystery of combustion. They, too, were intrigued with the fascination of how life formed in the womb.

We won first prize and got our pictures in the paper. We were thrilled!

I never forgot my fascination with the birthing process. I guess that's why I went on later in my life to become a registered nurse, and a childbirth educator.

As a Christian author and speaker I have shifted my focus from teaching people how to give birth to babies to how to birth God-given dreams and visions.

The Bible teaches that our steps are directed by God. I believe I was divinely guided to do that science fair assignment. I wonder what course my life may have taken had I refused.

Do you feel God is asking you to try something new or different? I am learning that our willingness is what directs our path when the Lord orders our steps. Consider listening carefully to clues at what he is calling you to do.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com