It's a new year! It seems like life goes by so quickly when things are going well; there is never enough time in the day to do the things that you want or need to get done. At other times it feels like the day or moment will never end. Those are the hard days; the days when so many things have gone wrong, you've had a fight with someone close or you are just battling your demons. In those moments it is hard to have faith that God is nearby let alone doing great things in your life. "Where are you God?" is not a question I have ever asked, honestly. I have wondered and asked many times "what's the purpose of that" a LOT. I think one reason I don't question God's presence is because at the lowest of low times in my life, God has carried me through. That doesn't mean I don't get impatient.
I've read a lot about God's timing lately. I have occasionally felt change coming. For example, after much prayer, care and consideration I applied to nursing school in 2004. Before a friend/coworker joked that I could join with him and we could flunk out together (seriously, he said that), I had never considered nursing. Withing a week or so of praying, I had the confidence needed to apply. There was never a doubt in my mind that God had planted that seed in my head and I would be successful in it. That doesn't mean there weren't a lot of nay-Sayers. This was a huge life change, time and financial commitment. **To be fair, I finished high school with a 1.97 GPA. There were tests to be passed to even be considered for the 11 month, highly extensive program. I understand why there was doubt from those closest to me. But I was calm and some would say cocky even. I had this in the bag. Well...God had it in the bag.
I passed the exam and made it into the program. I knew going in it would be tough. I had personal relationships with two of the instructors at the time. When I conferred with one of them, I was told point blank, "if anything, we will be harder on you." There were difficult times that year but I made amazing friends and learned so much. To this day I credit God with leading me down that rabbit hole. And guess what! I graduated that program with a 3.79 GPA and went on a month later to pass LPN boards in Missouri.
The point is, God has a plan for you. As he states in Ephesians 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." If you stop and listen, He will show you the way. Of course, it may be more like this...
Pay MORE attention!
Not too long ago I was talking with good friends. One was experiencing some turmoil in her daily life. I said, "I've had this feeling of change coming on. Maybe it was for you." I had been praying about whatever was weighing on my heart. I know she has done the same for me (long story ahead).
In August of 2016, I was asked to temporarily move from my center to a center 30 miles away. I emphasize the temporary because I was not looking for change. I made sure that I would be open to have my job back after I had fulfilled my "mission" at the other center. I was to set up the classroom to run efficiently and train the new teacher (if they found one). I shared many tears with my close co-workers and friends trying to make the decision. Mind you, as far as I knew this was temporary. So why was I so emotional about the change? I have to say, at that point in my life change was panic inducing, however small...or temporary.
I had approximately two days to decide. My "best" co-workers and I hopped in a car and drove 30 miles to check out this new center. I had no time to waste. I had one week (minus 3 days of meetings and open house) to pull it together. The classroom was not my favorite but it turned out nice considering what we had to work with. After a few weeks, I was forced to make a decision. Was I going to make this temporary change permanent? Each day I grew to love my students and coworkers more. Slowly it had sunk in that I wasn't going back.
One day I knew that whatever mission God had given me at that first center had been fulfilled. I had a new mission. When I say I was forced to make a decision, that is exactly what happened. I was given an hour and a half of work time, to decide. I managed to work in a phone call to my pastor at the time. I did not have time to talk to my family or friends. The aforementioned friends and I try to get together on a regular basis to visit and just enjoy each others company (honestly, they just laugh at me). These gatherings started, I believe, when I moved to the different center.
The first time we met up, the topic was my new job. Honestly, same job, same employer, different location. I told them that I "kinda" knew in the back of my mind I wouldn't be coming back. One said she knew when I took my plant with me. The other one said that she knew. She had been praying about it and knew I wasn't coming back, probably before I did.
I have so many other examples of God speaking to me or through others for me, I could go on and on. I won't.
Good things are in store for me in 2020. That I can say with confidence. I have been listening and praying, having faith in God's timing. That is the hard part. If something is coming, why do I have to wait (read that in a whiny voice). Could it be that I am not ready for change at this moment? Believe me, I am more prepared for change now than I was three years ago. Maybe (most definitely) I need to continue to strengthen my faith and my relationship with the Lord in preparation. I don't know why I have to wait but I do know this: God's timing is worth waiting for.
I've read a lot about God's timing lately. I have occasionally felt change coming. For example, after much prayer, care and consideration I applied to nursing school in 2004. Before a friend/coworker joked that I could join with him and we could flunk out together (seriously, he said that), I had never considered nursing. Withing a week or so of praying, I had the confidence needed to apply. There was never a doubt in my mind that God had planted that seed in my head and I would be successful in it. That doesn't mean there weren't a lot of nay-Sayers. This was a huge life change, time and financial commitment. **To be fair, I finished high school with a 1.97 GPA. There were tests to be passed to even be considered for the 11 month, highly extensive program. I understand why there was doubt from those closest to me. But I was calm and some would say cocky even. I had this in the bag. Well...God had it in the bag.
I passed the exam and made it into the program. I knew going in it would be tough. I had personal relationships with two of the instructors at the time. When I conferred with one of them, I was told point blank, "if anything, we will be harder on you." There were difficult times that year but I made amazing friends and learned so much. To this day I credit God with leading me down that rabbit hole. And guess what! I graduated that program with a 3.79 GPA and went on a month later to pass LPN boards in Missouri.
The point is, God has a plan for you. As he states in Ephesians 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." If you stop and listen, He will show you the way. Of course, it may be more like this...
Pay MORE attention!
Not too long ago I was talking with good friends. One was experiencing some turmoil in her daily life. I said, "I've had this feeling of change coming on. Maybe it was for you." I had been praying about whatever was weighing on my heart. I know she has done the same for me (long story ahead).
In August of 2016, I was asked to temporarily move from my center to a center 30 miles away. I emphasize the temporary because I was not looking for change. I made sure that I would be open to have my job back after I had fulfilled my "mission" at the other center. I was to set up the classroom to run efficiently and train the new teacher (if they found one). I shared many tears with my close co-workers and friends trying to make the decision. Mind you, as far as I knew this was temporary. So why was I so emotional about the change? I have to say, at that point in my life change was panic inducing, however small...or temporary.
I had approximately two days to decide. My "best" co-workers and I hopped in a car and drove 30 miles to check out this new center. I had no time to waste. I had one week (minus 3 days of meetings and open house) to pull it together. The classroom was not my favorite but it turned out nice considering what we had to work with. After a few weeks, I was forced to make a decision. Was I going to make this temporary change permanent? Each day I grew to love my students and coworkers more. Slowly it had sunk in that I wasn't going back.
One day I knew that whatever mission God had given me at that first center had been fulfilled. I had a new mission. When I say I was forced to make a decision, that is exactly what happened. I was given an hour and a half of work time, to decide. I managed to work in a phone call to my pastor at the time. I did not have time to talk to my family or friends. The aforementioned friends and I try to get together on a regular basis to visit and just enjoy each others company (honestly, they just laugh at me). These gatherings started, I believe, when I moved to the different center.
The first time we met up, the topic was my new job. Honestly, same job, same employer, different location. I told them that I "kinda" knew in the back of my mind I wouldn't be coming back. One said she knew when I took my plant with me. The other one said that she knew. She had been praying about it and knew I wasn't coming back, probably before I did.
I have so many other examples of God speaking to me or through others for me, I could go on and on. I won't.
Good things are in store for me in 2020. That I can say with confidence. I have been listening and praying, having faith in God's timing. That is the hard part. If something is coming, why do I have to wait (read that in a whiny voice). Could it be that I am not ready for change at this moment? Believe me, I am more prepared for change now than I was three years ago. Maybe (most definitely) I need to continue to strengthen my faith and my relationship with the Lord in preparation. I don't know why I have to wait but I do know this: God's timing is worth waiting for.
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