To God Be the Glory

Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

God never ceases to amaze me with His capacity to care for every detail and desire of our lives. As I began my work in counseling in 1991, I dreamed of someday having my own practice and others working with me. I envisioned having a big old house on York Street in Hanover, PA as my own office. (I have no idea why it was on York Street!) It would have space for a couple of counselors, a nice reception and waiting area, a book cupboard where we could sell materials, a large lending library, a conference room and lots of room for working with children.

Early in 1997, God lead me to open my own practice in a rented office in town, so that I could bring under one umbrella my work of counseling, writing, speaking and teaching. Immediately I developed a Prayer Board of dear friends committed to pray regularly for this work. As we started a Bible Study group, children’s and adults’ therapy groups, and other activities in addition to the regular counseling, it became obvious that, in time, a larger facility would be needed. For a couple of years, we all prayed that the Lord would give CCES a new building--a bigger place with room to expand.

One evening at dinner, my husband and I discussed the property that was for sale at 239 York Street. We knew the building and felt it would be a good place for CCES. That evening we drove by to look at it again from the outside only to find Tender Care Pregnancy Center moving in! While I was happy for them, I was disappointed for us.

When that wasn’t available, I decided to put moving the office on hold for the time being--but God had other plans! At the end of September 2001, my landlord called to tell me that we would have to move our office by December 1 because he had sold the building. As I hung up the phone I could feel my excitement growing because I knew that if God has orchestrated this, He had another place already waiting for us.

The very next day I drove by 239 York Street. It was for sale again and Tender Care Pregnancy Center had just moved out the night before! With amazing rapidity, the property became the new home of CCES. We got possession of the building on October 26. A multitude of wonderful volunteers gave their time, talents and energy to help us renovate the old Victorian building, and just three weeks later on November 17, we moved in. That was two weeks ahead of schedule!

This lovely new facility provides space for two counseling offices, a nice reception and waiting area, a book cupboard where we sell materials, a lovely library, a conference room, and lots of room for working with children. My dream of more than a decade became a reality. We’re now celebrating five years since these events took place and we’re still saying, “To God be the glory—Great things He has done!”

Gracious Father, I am humbled at Your goodness and amazed by Your greatness. May all that we say and do through the work and ministry of Christian Counseling & Educational Services be to Your praise and glory—always.

By Ann Shorb
©Copyright Ann Shorb, 2006

Get information about working with a Christian counselor from CCES.

Related articles and devotionals:
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall
God's Answer to My Thoughts
Encourage One Another
Obedience Brings Victory

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