Stories of Quaker prophets

Reader Responses

When have you followed a leading, not knowing what the outcome would be?

When have you been surprised by a positive outcome of something you did, even years later?

After Trump's election, I was stunned. The message I was given by my Guide (who for me is Christ Jesus) was to be kind - kindness was an act of resistance. Nothing else. I complied as I was able. 

Then a Friend called and said, let's start a witness down at the ICE building. It seemed OK to walk through that door, which led to my setting up an email list, which led to an ongoing weekly witness which has been going for well over a year. All kinds of F/friends and allies have joined us, new opportunities and actions have opened; I seem have had some leadership opened for and laid upon me that I neither expected nor requested. 

We have been led into joint relationships with all kinds of other faith-based (and non-faith-based) groups working with similar goals. When the work got too heavy, angels appeared to share the load. 

It continues to unfold and I still have little idea where it is heading or what it is accomplishing, although we are given plenty of reassuring signs along the way. I am elderly, and well aware that the time may come when I am to lay down the work into others' hands. Nevertheless, as long as way continues to open, I hope to be able to persevere.

Joe S., Portland, OR, USA

Sometime back I just felt I needed a change of environment. The conviction was real but I never knew where I was heading to. Within that time I saw an advert about a mission station pastoral position. I was convicted that it was mine and so I applied. And yes, that is how it came to be.

George B. L., Garissa, Kenya

I was sitting in the meeting house as people were entering, and felt I had to stand and walk to the door. I opened the door and my hands reached out — a person was struggling with the step up from the porch into the room. I truly felt led!

Connie W., Gap, PA, USA

As an educator and later as a non-profit administrator, I've had the opportunity to identify young people for new roles. I don't know if you'd call it a leading, but I do know that if you take a risk on someone, you have the hope that it will turn out well. But when it does turn out to be the exactly right person in the right place at the right time, there is a tremendous sense of having been gifted to make the right choice to place that person in the situation. He or she can shine and be an amazing leader.

I have been blessed to have been the person that took the risk on an unlikely candidate and have it turn out to be just the right fit and fitness at the right time. And that has been a blessing to me and to the communities that I served.

Dorothy G., Portland, ME, USA

It is in the nature of things that we can know and guide our intentions but can almost never predict or know the outcome of our actions, nor their timing. So surprising outcomes shouldn’t be too surprising, even though pleasant.

Leopold S., Seattle, WA, USA