God is amazing. Do you know that sister? Do you know how amazing He is? Have you experienced his omnipotent power personally?
One of the greatest blessings of being a believer is we can boldly come before the throne of the Heavenly Father and make our petitions known to Him. And the closer you draw to Him, the more aware you will be.
I have heard it said that if your testimony doesn't have a current accounting of God impacting your life, maybe you have drifted apart from Him. There might be a smidge of truth to this. I have several small events that I know are of God, I also know of the biggest one in my life (calling off my first engagement/wedding). But now, now I have an even better story of God working in my life, a story that is 8 years in the making.
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Eight years ago, I moved from Corpus Christi, Texas to Pasadena, Texas (just outside of Houston, Texas). Within about a two week period I found the church I wanted to join and be apart of. Only after that did I find a job. (God is wonderful! He makes sure you have your priorities in line). The church I was blessed to find was First Baptist Church of Pasadena, Texas.
I love how I found it to, I got stuck at a traffic light (Red Bluff and Fairmont). I sat there for well over 10 minutes. Back in2008 there was a brick wall with a digital running message. That night, as I got stuck at that light, I eventually read the message: the times for service. I made a mental note to myself to come that Sunday. And finally the light turned green.
I joined during my 2nd Sunday visit, and over time I have become more and more involved. First I was in a Sunday School class, then I taught (Jr. High on Saturday night, 1st grade on Sunday mornings), now I help with admin stuff in my ladies class and I sing in choir. I have over the years attended as often as I could: Tuesday Bible Lunch, Wednesday night service, and every opportunity on Sunday. I had someone once ask me if I was there every time the doors opened.
My answer then was not that much, but close.
Now, I have not set my church up as an idol, or the staff. I just love the feeling of the place. I have always felt welcomed, challenged, motivated and inspired . The people there are all sinners in need of a Savior, and the welcome all who thirst for the living water. Since 2008 the church has grown (building size and congregation wise), the school that is attached to the church has grown, there are new staff members, and so much more. The leadership of the church is always pushing the members to live harder for Christ - they are pushing us to draw closer to Jesus, prayer more, and reach out to lost.
I love being around the people at the church - they have hearts that are set on serving.
And semi-secretly, I have wanted to work there for 8 years. That has been a secret desire of my heart.
Not many have known of this desire, just a few.
Now, fast forward to about 3 weeks ago.
I had cooking club with some lovely ladies from church. We have been working our way through Ree Drummond's (aka The Pioneer Woman) first cook book. It has been a great experience and has us all cooking more for our families. Well when we met this last time I put forth a prayer request. Brock and I have been considering our future and how best to provide for our little family and accomplish what God has set on our hearts. The other thing I mentioned was that God had placed on my heart that my time at Strawberry Fields of Learning was coming to an end.
I told the ladies I wasn't sure what that meant or even the time line. Remember God told Abraham and Sarah they would have a child and it took 25 years for Issac to be born. 25 years! I have a hard time waiting 5 minutes in the drive thru for my breakfast, heaven help me if I had to wait 25 years. But, I have learned lately that time is not of importance to God, but timing is of the utmost importance. So, when God laid this on my heart, He also laid on me to do nothing but wait and say nothing. That was May of this year (2016).
God knows us, He created us. He knew to tell me to be patient and wait. To pray. Because the flesh/worldly side of me would have started job hunting - I would have gone into fix it mode instead of waiting. So I have waited. I have said nothing. I have prayed. And I have worked. I have worked on the projects that I normally do during the summer. I have gone forward at my job as Director as though I would be in that position for many years to come.
That night at cooking club I felt compelled to share my prayer request. So while we were wrapping up I laid it out there. Now this wonderful group of ladies are mostly teachers (only one other besides myself is not a teacher). And once I made my request known they agreed to pray for me. (Sister's if you do not have a group of ladies in your corner, get some! They will help keep you sane). But they also had an idea. It was suggested to me that I apply for a job with a local school district to be a secretary: great benefits, better pay than many think, holidays/summer off, etc. I must admit, that sounded very enticing. I told them I would think on it.
As I left, I felt upon my heart to call my mother in love and run the entire issue by her. She wasn't at home but would be soon. I was just around the corner, so I met her and my father in love within minutes. I ran the idea by her and she agreed that it did sound great, and that I would be qualified. Then she gave me a but,
Her boss was in need of an assistant, and right away. She works for the private school that is a ministry of our church. His current assistant was transferring over to the church asap. I let her know that if he was willing to interview me, I would love to apply. Within minutes I had a Monday morning interview set up. Before I left, she prayed over me with my father in love.
If you have read the story of Ruth you know that Ruth respected and loved Naomi. I am blessed to have a wonderful mother in law and she is such a great example. The story of Ruth is such a wonderful story. It is possible to have a good relationship with your mother in law. Strive for it!
During this I had communicated with Brock what was going on, and why I wasn't home yet. When I got home, I went into more detail and he backed my decision.
Sunday I shared with my Sunday School class what had happened the night prior and what was to come the next day. That day I prayed, and prayed often. During evening service, our Pastor called for a time of prayer. Brock and I went down to the altar and prayed together.
The next morning, I went to work and took care of business. I made sure all was covered and went for my interview.
I went with 2 mindsets: if I got the job, it was all God and if I did not get the job, then it was a test from God on if I would be obedient.
The interview was amazing and extensive. A personality profile, 3 individuals sat in on the interview, and I was asked questions that I had me truly evaluating my walk. Who were my hero's, what books was I reading, had I led anyone to Christ, what was my testimony. Just to give you an idea. I was told by Friday I would be told if the job was mine.
I went back to work and did what I needed to do.
The next morning before 9:00am I was given an offer for employment.
I called Brock and told him the news. We had ironed out a few details prior on things that would have to happen if I was going to be able to accept the job. I then had to make the phone call to my boss. All she knew was that the day prior I had business to take care of.
I called her and let her know everything, going back all the way to May and what God and put on my heart. Her and I ironed out a few details and I effectively gave my notice. I called my future new boss and accepted the job.
We had to keep mum for over a week as the owner of the preschool (my boss) was on vacation and she wanted to announce in person to the staff. So for a week O worked hard getting life squared away and ready for me to be gone. People wondered what was going on, but things were kept under wrap.
Last Wednesday she came back to town and we told the staff. There were tears, a few "No ma-am's" and plenty of hugs to go around. That day we drafted a letter that informed the parents of the change that was to come. This past Friday I ended my 5 years of employment at Strawberry Fields of Learning. I was given a great send off - cake, balloons, flowers, gifts and much love.
During the past few weeks I have read about the transition that happened from Moses to Joshua. Moses was banned from entering the Promise Land because he disobeyed God when he struck the rock with his staff (Numbers 20). And because of that Moses only got to see a glimpse of the Promise Land before joining his ancestors. Joshua was selected to lead Israel into the Promise Land.
This history from the Bible has stuck with me. If you know me personally, you know life at work the past year has been a rough journey. But over the past 6 months life has been better, we have seen glimpses of our own promise land. And so I have likened myself to Moses, and that God has allowed me a glimpse of what is to come, but that I can go no further with tribe I had been entrusted to guide and lead.
I have pondered what my disobedience was, and I have summarized is that I hired the wrong person. On paper she was fabulous, and I jumped on the opportunity. But I didn't look deeper, didn't pray/think over it. Within days of hiring the lady, numerous applicants that could have been better came through my door. But I hired her in fear of not having a teacher.
And now that the school is in a good position, God has removed me and is letting someone else lead that wonderful group of ladies into a brighter future.
But I have no regrets. Today was day 2 at my new job, and I am loving it. I am loving the environment, the opportunity, and the people. I have my dream job, it took 8 years, and many trials, but I have my hearts desire and cannot wait to see what is to come.
