Imagine you life with endless
possibilities. There is an open road in front of you and you can chose to drive
in any direction you may chose. For most people this seems like the dream.
Having endless choices and paths to take. In my case it was the exactly
opposite. In January, I graduated from college with a similar scenario in front
of me. While most college graduates are overjoyed with this outlook, I was
hardly enthused. Anyone that knows me knows I am a planner. I like to get
things planned weeks in advanced if possible. Throughout my life up until that
point I had always had a plan ahead of me. Now at 22 I had nothing lined up
except for my part time at Kohl’s. I waited less than patiently for God to
provide the next step for me. I restlessly checked the job posting in hopes of
maternity leaves or any position within a school. I was getting more and more
concerned about figuring out what “I” was going to do and less in inclined to
think that God had it under control. In the midst of all this I headed to
Georgia with my grandparents in the worst conditions that my grandpa had ever
drove through. I was constantly praying as we drove safetly to Southern
Illinois. Making it to Georgia and catching my flight to Florida on time was
nothing sort of a miracle. Yet after all that I still found myself not fully
trusting God. While I was spending my days laying on the beach with my best
friend in 80 degree weather I found myself still complaining about my
circumstances. Kristen and I literally were complaining (jokingly may I add)
about how we were clearly behind since we had neither jobs nor rings on our
finger. The next day Kristen got a call from her principal and was offered a
job as soon as we got back. I was completely overjoyed for my friend, but
feeling even more let down since God had given me no clear direction on what he
wanted me to do. We headed back to the cold Illinois weather a few days later
and I began going through the process to be a substitute teacher. The only real
option that I had left in front of me. I had all the paperwork filled out and
was waiting for my fingerprints to be done when Mike called and asked me if I
wanted a job. Well yes of course was my answer. All I knew before the interview
was that it was for an aiding position and the choice would be made the
following day. Talk about high pressure. My interview went extreme well, praise
God, and I was offered the position of a special education teachers aide at St.
George school. To say I was thankful was quite an understatement. Sometime after
that I felt an incredible peace that passed all understanding. I no longer felt
anxious about the future or God’s plan for me, because I knew it was good. Over
the past couple months God has continued to bless me through my job. I have
learned and grown as a teacher. It has also given me wonderful experience as I
apply for teaching positions for the fall. He has also been feeding me
spiritually through my friends and sermons that seem to speak right to my
heart. I so far have had two teaching interviews that have gone extremely well.
While I have not been offered any positions yet, I know he has something big in
sort for me. I know that he will indeed place me right where I am supposed to
be. Having trust and putting my hope in him like that is something that I have
never fully had before. Giving up control for me is a really hard thing for me
to do. I am certainly no where near good at waiting patiently for him to
provide I am having a much easier time in the waiting. I even am getting a little more spontaneous.
Recently I could be quoted saying “We don’t need a plan, were on
vacation!” By sharing my story I hope I
can pass onto you that fact that God answers prayers and trusting him can seem
scary but is so worth it in the end!
God may delay our request, but He will never disappoint our
trust.
When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in
our hearts.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be
thankful.
Colossians 3:15
