Rene Titze disliked having to speak in front of others. But, as the years passed by and her love of Jesus grew, He taught her to face her fears. Photo credit: Chelsea Murphy
It was tough deciding an answer to their sincere request. Ever since she was a young girl, Renee was so shy and quiet she prayed that the teacher wouldn’t call on her. She disliked having to speak in front of others and was so insecure that, at times, she had difficulty articulating her thoughts. But, as the years passed by and her love of Jesus grew, He taught her that He doesn’t always call the equipped, but He will equip the called.
The Lord had been impressing Renee to share her faith, something the pastor had been encouraging every member to do. “I find that there are so many people who are wondering what is going on in the world,” Renee says, and she prayed for the Holy Spirit to direct her. “I sincerely want to be the Lord’s humble, obedient servant. Jesus came to serve, not be served so it is vital to have the heart of a servant.”
With her servant-heart, she mustered the courage to speak to the Baptist congregation.
But nothing surprised her more than when they asked if she would speak again, this time at their women’s retreat. “‘Me!’ I thought, ‘Are you kidding?’ Then they told me the theme was ‘It Is Well with My Soul’!” She told them she’d pray about the invitation.
She admits that she tried to brush off the assignment and delegate it to others. But that little Voice inside her head said clearly, “You can do this! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I will guide you!” So, she whispered, “Lord, if You want me to do this, I will need Your help. This is Your message. You are the potter; I am the clay.”
Inspiration began to flow as she remembered the days when she attended the Medical Missionary Program at Wildwood Wellness Institute in Georgia. She learned about the eight laws of health, natural remedies, and healing the natural way.
So, on June 3‒5, 2022, she did her presentation using the NEWSTART program, emphasizing the health benefits of Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Air, Rest and Trusting in God. “I used videos I found online and created a PowerPoint for each session,” she recalls. “I even shared the Sabbath message with them!”
Since she works with special needs children and knows to incorporates engaging visuals and activities, Renee implemented these strategies into the sessions to help people retain more of what they learn. They had a scavenger hunt, played “Spin the Wheel of Positivity” and “Fill Your Bag.”
“I like to be creative!”
“My mother, Gloria Nicotera, was with me and shared her gems of wisdom. One quote she shared was, ‘If God made it, eat it. If man made it, read it. And, if you can’t read it, don’t eat it!’’
Renee says she was humbled by all off the positive feedback. “A couple of ladies said it was the best conference they attended. They even asked if we could share more at their Baptist churches and if they could share at ours.” She gives God all praise because “He gave me direction every step of the way! The credit goes to Him!”
The lesson in all of this, she acknowledges, is that “When we surrender to the Lord, He can do some pretty amazing things.” She continues, “So, if you desire to have a servant-heart, be willing to say, ‘Lord, send me,’ and He will pour out His blessing on you!”
Herald staff with Renee Titze, member of the Watertown Seventh-day Adventist Church
