Graduate College: check!
Move someplace new: check!
Complete my first-year of teaching...
Last year at this time, this was my checklist. I was solely focused on my new calling to teach at a Lutheran school in Texas. I was beyond excited to have accomplished my goal of becoming a Lutheran educator, and I happily packed and prepared to move the many, many miles from my home in Minnesota to a smaller town in the middle of Texas. I was very excited at the prospect of this new journey, but also very much afraid. This would be farther than I had ever lived from my family, I wouldn't really know anyone in my new town, and I wouldn't be familiar with the culture in this new place...
Looking back, I had no real reason to worry. If I trusted that God was leading me to teach in Texas, I had no real reason to fear what lie ahead. It was difficult to say goodbye to family and friends when it came time to make the long journey down south. Once I became acclimated to my new surroundings, however, I discovered that I truly loved my new life in Texas. I loved my new vocation as I dove into the teaching ministry. I met many wonderful people and made new friends. I enjoyed a break from the long Minnesota winters, and I realized that God may have had much more extravagant plans for me than merely helping me begin my teaching ministry...
Shortly after moving to Texas, I realized God may have blessed me with a much more valuable gift than just a wonderful teaching position. I realized He may have brought me to Texas to begin another chapter of my life, a chapter that wasn't even on my radar as I was far too focused on beginning my teaching career...
I never imagined I would move to Texas and meet the man of my dreams. Dating and relationships was far from my mind, as I packed and moved and said goodbye to family and friends. Finding a spouse was not on my list of things to accomplish even in the next couple years. All I had planned on was finishing school, accepting an initial teaching position in a fun new setting, and enjoying my first few years of teaching. I had hoped to settle in to this teaching thing for a few years, move back closer to my family, and then think about settling down to begin a family of my own. As I continued to trust in God's plan for my life, I struggled with the idea that He may have bigger plans for me right here and right now. I didn't think I was ready to begin this exciting chapter alongside the new chapter titled "Teaching," but God works in mysterious and yet wonderful ways. I didn't think I could juggle my first year of teaching, so far away from my family and friends, while cultivating a new love relationship.
With much prayer and a lot of trust in God's bigger plan, I embarked on the journey that has turned out to be the best journey of my life so far. God blessed me with my best friend and soul-mate, my biggest supporter and the man of my dreams. I never thought this would all be happening to me here and now, but I smile every time I think about how wonderful and amazing God's plans are for His children. I encountered many challenges throughout my first year of teaching. But through every challenge God taught me to trust in Him and rely on those around me. He reminded me that my plans are not His, and that His plans are far bigger than anything I could comprehend. God continually reminds me to face new challenges in faith, as I trust His will and follow His plans for my life. It can be challenging to decipher God's will in our lives, as we always have plans and goals of our own. It can cause us to hesitate and fear the amazing things that may lie ahead, if we fail to truly trust that God is in control. We may not know where we are going or what we will be doing tomorrow, next week, next year, or many years down the road, but God is right beside us today and always. God is guiding us through amazing experiences of life and those times when it seems hardest to trust His plan often remind us to trust Him most securely.
Looking back on the plans I had for myself last year at this time, I would never have thought that planning a wedding would fall onto my list. I never thought I would be finding my spouse, falling in love, getting engaged, and beginning a new chapter of life with my husband. As my wedding day gets closer and closer, the amazing journey I embarked upon as I made the move to Texas has become the most amazing journey of my life so far. I can't always comprehend how God is working in my life, but I know He has amazing plans for me.
My updated checklist:
Move to someplace new: check!
Complete my first year of teaching: check!
Meet the man of my dreams: check!
Get married: (almost check!)
Jeremiah 29:11 rang through my head as I graduated from high school, moved on to college, graduated from college, and as I began my teaching ministry. It runs through my head again today, as I think about all the amazing plans God has for me and my soon-to-be husband!
"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." ~Jeremiah 29:11
No comments:
Post a Comment