Defend the Defenseless

Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of those who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

 

This has been an important verse in Kristin Baker’s life ever since high school.

 

From a young age, she knew what she wanted: to defend the defenseless. That was exactly what she intended on doing.

 

 

It didn’t take a very long time for Kristin to know what God was calling her to do. She wanted to go into law. Kristin knew as early as middle school when most of her peers had no idea.

 

“I couldn’t stand bullies.” She said to me, “I had zero tolerance for them.”

Having already made the decision that law was Kristin’s future, she went on to high school.

 

High school was a very busy time for Kristin. She was in leadership, the National Honor Society, choir, and sports like volleyball and softball. Her life was jam-packed. As much as she enjoyed her busy schedule, she couldn’t help feeling like there simply weren’t enough hours in the day.

 

When asked about her struggles in high school she replied, “I felt like I didn’t have time for my friends outside of school. And I didn’t have time to get to know other people either.”

 

Her main focus was on soaking up as much knowledge as she could and building herself a strong Biblical foundation before high school was over.

 

As she neared the end of her high school career, she set her sights on law school. She had received a full scholarship to Northern Arizona University to study political science in preparation for law school, but it didn’t turn out as she had hoped.

 

“Unfortunately, it was not a good time in my life for personal reasons, so I had to drop out and put my aspirations on hold,” she explained.

 

God had other plans.

 

Kristin ended up coming back to Tucson and began working in retail where she made her way up the ladder rather quickly. In just a few short years she was a manager.

 

“I felt it was going to be my new career path, so I continued to pursue that opportunity,” she explained.

 

A few years later, her plans were put on hold, yet again. Kristin got married and became a mother to two beautiful girls and decided that it was best for her to stay home with them.

 

“As they grew, my goals for law school seemed to wane, but years later, I went back to finish what I had started,” she told me.

 

It wasn’t until a few years ago that she decided it was time to hit resume on pursuing her dream.

 

“It was all in God's timing, because the Legal Paraprofessional program at Arizona, did not exist until only a handful of years ago,” said Kristin, while reflecting on her years of waiting. “He wanted me to wait, and he opened my heart when the time was according to HIS plan.”

 

God had His reasons and it may have taken a while, but Kristin was finally able to see why He made her wait so long.

 

“It wasn't until only a few years ago that my passion for advocacy was reborn and thrust me back into school,” she pondered.

 

When I asked her about having a specific memory of a time where she really felt called to defend someone from a bully, she told me about a friend of hers who was going through a difficult situation. 

 

She put it this way: “They have a lifelong illness that prevented them from having the mental capacity to stand up for themselves, and was bullied by a strong person who was emotionally abusive.”

 

Knowing her spiritual gifts and the talents God gave her, Kristin was able to help this friend navigate through the difficult waters of this situation by defending them and dispute resolution.

 

“This is when God called to me to reignite my passion for Law and the strength to pursue it, at this time.” 

 

Her calling was confirmed.

Now, Kristin is receiving her BA and MA in law from the University of Arizona to become a licensed Legal Paraprofessional. She will specialize in Family Law and help people in family legal and domestic relations.

 

Kristin knew from a young age what she wanted to become, but it took a while for it to finally happen. With perseverance and faith, Kristin did it. She followed her dreams with God’s guidance and provision in her life.

 

She learned and is still learning a valuable lesson: It's all in God’s timing, and it's all for His glory.