Changing Lanes

Tomorrow is the start of something brand new for me.
Tomorrow is the result of countless prayers.
But let me back up a little. Around the end of May 2010 the job I loved, working in Pre-K, was over. The administration had decided to change how things were done and that meant cutting the program in half. Half a program needs half it's employees. I trusted in God that He would provide for us. Summer came and almost went and I still didn't have a new job. But four days before the new school year started a woman I had become close with over the previous few years, whom I am certain God had connected me with, called about a job possibility. I interviewed and was hired that day as a child care instructor at a vocational school. I was ecstatic.

I often struggled with only working part time. As a single mom and sole provider I felt I should be doing more myself and relying less on the help of others. I prayed continuously for full time work or a second job. I sent countless resumes and received equal amounts of rejection letters. God reminded me over and over that my life was not intended to look like anyone else's life because it was mine. This time working part time allowed me to grow so much closer to God. While working part time God allowed me to do some other work He wanted me to do, and many of those jobs required time but not monetary payment.

The summer after I began working part time I felt led to start a women's ministry at the church I was attending. I would have never have felt I had the time to do that if I was working full time. I also would have potentially missed a lot of mom and son moments if I had been working full time. I would have missed a lot of middle of the day coffee conversations and lunch dates with some of my favorite people. I would have missed helping my grandpa through his illness last year. I quite possibly would have missed going to Belize this year, because many of the things mentioned in the previous sentences are how I came to go to Belize to begin with. I could list countless opportunities and relationships with new and old friends that God had planned that I might have missed out on had I been working full time.

Financially working part time is rough. This year, financially, was probably the most difficult I had faced in the four years I worked part time. Yet this year also included some of the biggest monetary sacrifices/ ministry opportunities I had felt led to be a part of. We missed sooo much school because of the weather, and well, no school means no work, and no work means no pay. Many times I even wanted to back out of the mission trip and use that money for other things that seemed more important. But God assured me He had a plan, so I continued to be obedient to what I felt He was leading me to do.

I felt very strongly early in the spring that I was to quit my job at the close of this school year. I had no idea what I would do, but I felt very strongly that it was time to move on. I knew worst case scenario I could substitute teach until God made clear His plan, or maybe that was His plan. But God was already working on those details too. I also felt early in the spring to start a Saturday morning coffee group. Through this group God connected me with another woman who led me to another job interview. And that interview led me to tomorrow. In late May, 4 years to the date of losing my job, I learned I was hired for a full time position. Tomorrow I re-enter the full time work world! I will be working as a Preventionist (on preventing drug and alcohol use), primarily with 5th-8th grade students. I am very excited about this opportunity.

Along with my excitement also comes a little anxiety. Not sure if I've mentioned it in my blog yet or not (ummm, yes, only a million times, I know) but I don't like change. I like the routine I've gotten into. I liked my old job and was just really starting to feel comfortable and get in a routine there. I really liked the people I was working with. I liked having time to go to all of Devin's events. I liked being able have extended quiet time any day I wanted when things were challenging. I liked having time to work out and cook healthy meals. And I think that was all part of the problem. I was in charge, I was comfortable. It was time to shake things up and God has reassured me that this is what's next. So with that said, I'm ready to go back to work full time, at this job, for whatever reason He has for me. While the unknown can be frightening, I trust Him fully because He has never let me down yet!

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said " I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10