Years ago, I quit my full time job. I needed a reset. My doctor had prescribed an inhaler because I complained of trouble
breathing, but one day I realized that my breathing became more labored
the closer I got to work. It had nothing to do with my lungs. My job was stressful and all the parts of it that I loved were slowing being taken away from me. Changes to my job responsibilities, more and more red tape, office politics, significant pay cuts, and a boss who was making six figures telling us that none of us took this job for the money, all added up to a serious loss of job satisfaction and, eventually, panic attacks. I knew it was time for a change. I planned to finish out the school year (I worked for the county Board of Education) then look for a part time job. I couldn't be unemployed. I'm not the type of person who can go without some sort of structure. I thought I'd try to get a job at Starbucks. I like coffee. I have worked in customer service and food service before and I'm good in that environment. My plans was to return to full time employment after a year or two. My husband, who witnessed my slow collapse, was very supportive of my decision.
Officially giving my notice made a great improvement in my stress level. I had a lightness knowing that it was almost over. I knew I'd miss the kids and staff I worked with regularly, but there was also so much I'd be glad to be away from. The future seemed to open up to me. Anything was possible. I didn't tell anyone about my resignation until my job was officially posted, then I told everyone with the enthusiasm of a girl who just gotten engaged. I was giddy.
At my next hair appointment, I told my stylist the news and about my immediate plans; part time job until I decided what path I wanted to pursue. Her response was unexpected. She told me that they were about to have to hire a part time employee because one of the assistants was about to go off to college. Was I interested? Yes! That was six years ago. I certainly didn't plan to work part time for that long, but this job has been such a blessing to me. I've had the flexibility I needed to take care of my family and to be present for my high school kids. I've working with amazing and very low drama women. I have been supported by my employer by coworkers during difficult times. I have had the flexibility in my schedule to participate in volunteer activities and pursue fun opportunities that were available to me. I am so thankful that I have been in this place for all these years.
Recently, I have had the feeling that, as my children move into adulthood and our lives have begun to change, I am ready to move on to something else. My heart yearns for a career in which I can do something that matters, something that benefits my community. My kids are all ready to leave the nest, and I need to transition, too. I have felt for a while that God was leading me down a specific path, but it cannot yet see where it leads. As I look back over the past year, I can see what I have learned in church, therapy, and my personal Bible study, is all coming together. It is all leading me in a specific direction. I am so excited about what the future holds. I wish I could just ahead and get a peek at what is in store.
Both of my last two jobs came to me in unexpected ways and both provided for my family in a very specific way that was needed at that point in time. I didn't go looking for either job, but very clear opportunities were presented to me at the right time and place. It was pretty amazing. Looking back, God was clearly in control and working behind the scenes to move me into a position that was perfect for me at that time. I have a feeling that God is working in that same way right now. I am trying to keep an open mind and limit my expectations of what God will bring to me. I have broad desires. I would like to make enough money to take some of the financial burden off my husband. I would like to have a schedule that allows me to make plans in advance. I would like to work with people who were passionate about helping/loving others. I would like to use my gifts/talents. I would like to know that I'm doing something that matters. Basically, I'm asking for a dream job. That seems like a pretty big request, so I'm trying to trust God and not limit what that might look like.
My husband has said that he'd like to change careers in 2019 and I really believe that lines up with what God is doing with me. I believe that there are some big, exciting changes coming to my family in the next two years and that part of that will be both my husband and I moving into vocations that we feel passionate about. A few weeks ago, my teen-aged son asked me "If God only helps people who believe in him, why has he done so much for dad?" I told him that I don't think God works that way. I believe that God is constantly working in our lives, but if we don't see it, we miss out of those blessings. It's when we stop and see the work that He has done, that we benefit the most. God has a plan for me and for my husband and we are about to take another step towards the life he has planned for us and it will be good and will bring glory to Him.
Officially giving my notice made a great improvement in my stress level. I had a lightness knowing that it was almost over. I knew I'd miss the kids and staff I worked with regularly, but there was also so much I'd be glad to be away from. The future seemed to open up to me. Anything was possible. I didn't tell anyone about my resignation until my job was officially posted, then I told everyone with the enthusiasm of a girl who just gotten engaged. I was giddy.
At my next hair appointment, I told my stylist the news and about my immediate plans; part time job until I decided what path I wanted to pursue. Her response was unexpected. She told me that they were about to have to hire a part time employee because one of the assistants was about to go off to college. Was I interested? Yes! That was six years ago. I certainly didn't plan to work part time for that long, but this job has been such a blessing to me. I've had the flexibility I needed to take care of my family and to be present for my high school kids. I've working with amazing and very low drama women. I have been supported by my employer by coworkers during difficult times. I have had the flexibility in my schedule to participate in volunteer activities and pursue fun opportunities that were available to me. I am so thankful that I have been in this place for all these years.
Recently, I have had the feeling that, as my children move into adulthood and our lives have begun to change, I am ready to move on to something else. My heart yearns for a career in which I can do something that matters, something that benefits my community. My kids are all ready to leave the nest, and I need to transition, too. I have felt for a while that God was leading me down a specific path, but it cannot yet see where it leads. As I look back over the past year, I can see what I have learned in church, therapy, and my personal Bible study, is all coming together. It is all leading me in a specific direction. I am so excited about what the future holds. I wish I could just ahead and get a peek at what is in store.
Both of my last two jobs came to me in unexpected ways and both provided for my family in a very specific way that was needed at that point in time. I didn't go looking for either job, but very clear opportunities were presented to me at the right time and place. It was pretty amazing. Looking back, God was clearly in control and working behind the scenes to move me into a position that was perfect for me at that time. I have a feeling that God is working in that same way right now. I am trying to keep an open mind and limit my expectations of what God will bring to me. I have broad desires. I would like to make enough money to take some of the financial burden off my husband. I would like to have a schedule that allows me to make plans in advance. I would like to work with people who were passionate about helping/loving others. I would like to use my gifts/talents. I would like to know that I'm doing something that matters. Basically, I'm asking for a dream job. That seems like a pretty big request, so I'm trying to trust God and not limit what that might look like.
My husband has said that he'd like to change careers in 2019 and I really believe that lines up with what God is doing with me. I believe that there are some big, exciting changes coming to my family in the next two years and that part of that will be both my husband and I moving into vocations that we feel passionate about. A few weeks ago, my teen-aged son asked me "If God only helps people who believe in him, why has he done so much for dad?" I told him that I don't think God works that way. I believe that God is constantly working in our lives, but if we don't see it, we miss out of those blessings. It's when we stop and see the work that He has done, that we benefit the most. God has a plan for me and for my husband and we are about to take another step towards the life he has planned for us and it will be good and will bring glory to Him.
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| Something that matters: Four generations working at Royal Family Kids Camp |
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