I would be lying if I said that I’ve not been frustrated and a little disappointed in the area of “getting a job” lately. During my quiet times, I’ve been focusing on verses in regards to God’s plan for me. We’ve all heard of Jeremiah 29:11… “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I’ll be the first to say that I believe that, but it’s challenging to truly be patient, to 100% believe His word whole heartedly, and to trust Him in what feels like the “waiting game.” Most of us have experienced this waiting game not once, but many times throughout our lives in various ways.
During our move to Pawleys, I couldn’t believe all of the job possibilities that were being shared with me. One clinic sounded super promising on the phone...until the face to face interview. Talk about RED FLAGS that put a pit in my stomach. Could I have accepted that job...yes, it was offered to me, but in my heart, I knew I shouldn’t. And, I didn’t. I continued making calls to clinics… I explored things totally not veterinary related… To make a long story short, these words came out of my mouth many times a day: “I want my job to be where YOU want me, where you will be glorified, Father! My desire is to please you, not everybody else. I am committed to YOU in knowing YOU have established plans for me (Proverbs 16:3) and have a special path paved out just for me.” It was awesome how God would speak to me and cover me with waves of comfort and peace EVERY time I shared this with Him.
Like in my email signature, one of my favorite verses is Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Lysa Terkeurest had a devotional online today about this verse. I summarized her Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion like this on my facebook wall earlier: “We all get disappointed from time to time. Sometimes things stink, and disappointments come up that make us doubt God really does work for our good, like today's key verse reminds us. Let’s rejoice in what is and what will be, than wallow in what isn't. After all, disappointment only stings as long as we let it.” About a week ago, I was back to the mind set of “rejoice in what is and what will be.” Enjoyed reading Lysa’s message on this today. It's awesome what happens when we "let go and let God." It's amazing what happens when we accept the fact that we just need to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10), and He is in control.
When I take my eyes off of me and more on Him, it’s neat how He responds. Yes, I figured I’m supposed to be in a clinic. However, He has a different plan. “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lords’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21). So we can define His purpose for pages on end. To me, in short, His purpose for me is to love Him, to share His love with others, to glorify Him in ALL that I do, to trust and obey, … Shall I go on? These are all desires of my heart, too! I want nothing more than to be able to fulfill His purpose for me. Psalm 20:4 says “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
Well, guess what? Last Thursday, I accepted a job that a dear friend helped open the door for me!!!!! A job with super flexible hours. A job that pulls out an interest I have had off and on since I was a little girl. A job that won’t take away from still being a wife and being able to focus on my marriage. A job that still allows me to volunteer when I want to in other areas of our community. A job that will allow Carter and me to have our Fri/Sat weekends together. (Remember, Carter works on Sundays.) I could go on, but I won’t keep you hanging any longer. I have accepted an Adjunct Science Teaching position at Horry Georgetown Techincal College. I am super excited and can’t wait! I pray that I can be that loving, enthusiastic, “want to see my students succeed” professor, who has a positive impact on these students. That opens the door for me to say THANK YOU to those of you, teachers and professors, who have played such a huge role on where I am today because of your teaching nature.
I am so blessed to have the relationship I do with God, where I didn’t ignore His leading, where I could hear Him say “not yet,” where He helped point out the red flags in other job areas, where I could trust His redirection, where He reminds me that He is the only One to please, and the list goes on. Thanks to all of you who have been praying along side of us on my job situation!!!!! We all know that our plans aren’t always His...It’s mighty awesome when His plans become ours though!!!!! Nothing is better than that!
