I never intended a year of silence at least in this space.
My word for 2014 was “full.” Who even knows what that means until you live the year and reflect on its happenings. Confidently I can say it was FULL indeed.
I started the year off with some goals, it seemed to be a transition year from full time stay at home mom to whatever God held next. One of my goals was simply to contribute to our family’s financial picture. I threw $10,000 out there as a optimistic goal. But opportunities began to present themselves.
In January, I took on a long-term substitute teaching position at our local high school teaching art (imagine that!) The first weekend I broke my arm and I learned two things. First being, I love teaching. I forgot how much fun it is to be in the classroom. Second, I could do it with one arm… It was a schedule that worked for our family.
During the lenten season, I took on another goal/challenge. I decided to fast using the daniel plan, eating vegan diet for 40 days. Three specific prayers grew deep in my heart. One of these prayers was for “what’s next.” In a small town there are few options to grow professionally, what are the chances there would be something here for me? How could our family “get ahead” and be faithful to where God has placed us? At the end of lent, the three prayers were still unanswered. Depressed that I gave up all my “comforts” for silence, I continued to wait for the answers. Fasting isn’t so much about giving up for getting as it is intentionally withholding and waiting.
During the summer, I was honored to be asked to serve on a committee to interview a new principal and teacher for our local elementary. After viewing dozens of cover letters and resumes, one thing came to mind… I am never going back into teaching. It seemed that taking 10 years off was too much. Look what all these other people have accomplished while I was home raising babies and playing in the mud.
But there’s one thing about comparison, it usually works against us instead of for us. When God begins a prayer in your heart, be prepared for an answers that defies odds.
Ten days before the beginning of the school year I got a text from middle school principal, saying the current art teacher left, am I interested in applying. YES. I am amazed to have an opportunity to teach and dive deeper into the community here. Saying yes, is daunting and life changing.
After reflecting, I remember my first teaching experience, the “call” was very similar. In the small town of Wilmore, there were few jobs around. Two days before the start of the school year a principal from LCA called because they happened to hear I had an art teaching degree.
How amazing that I have gotten not ONE but TWO personal calls to teach. I am still in the adjusting and overwhelmed stage but I trust that God calls us to use our giftings and our yeses to FILL our lives. He doesn’t open doors to see us fail or struggle but to follow after him and grow us it deep ways.