Waiting

I was given the opportunity to share what God has been doing in my life lately with my church this past Sunday. It was something that I would have never imagined myself volunteering for but God told me I had to. Even after I told the Pastor I would do it I was thinking what did I get myself into. But it went really well and I received so much positive feedback and support from my church. I figured I might as well share it with all of you as well :)

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