I’ve been a little absent on the blog recently, because the last few weeks have brought some big changes! I’m setting off on a new adventure — one that I can clearly see God orchestrating behind the scenes all along.
I’ve felt ready for a change for the last few years. It seemed like God brought me to a fork in the road, but rather than show me which path to take, He just said “wait.” So while I felt stuck and anxious for whatever that new adventure would be, I tried my best to remain faithful and waited for God to say “OK, now it’s time to move.”
So I am literally moving! I accepted a job in communications for a nonprofit back in my hometown, St. Louis. Out of my family, I’m the only one who moved away, so it’s really comforting to know we’ll all be together again. My grandma is especially pleased and reminds me every time we talk that she can’t wait to see me get married. (Subtle, Grandma. Very subtle.) I’m excited about learning a new job and having a less corporate work environment. I’m looking forward to seeing my parents on a regular basis instead of a few weeks a year. I can’t wait to get acquainted with the city again and learn all the new restaurants and cool coffee shops.
It’s also a bit daunting to think about all I have to do to say goodbye to the place I’ve lived for almost 10 years. I became an adult here and figured out to how to be a real grown-up. It’s bittersweet to mourn the people I will miss yet be excited about the new season I’m headed to. It’s strange to live with the tension of both emotions. I find myself going from one to the other in a matter of minutes. It’s a bit crazy-making, but it’s also a normal part of life — or so I’m discovering.
And every time I start to get overwhelmed and feel paralyzed by all of the details, God reminds me of His perfect timing. I know it sounds cliché, but God has been so gracious to answer every prayer, most even before I knew to pray them. Finding renters was the biggest obstacle, but in less than a week from accepting the job, He brought the perfect renters who can move in right away. A few of my Colorado friends will be in St. Louis for a conference in September, so I’ll get to have some quality time with some of my favorite people! I was able to get out of my Internet contract because that service isn’t offered in St. Louis. And the list goes on and on.
I know God is sovereign, and I know He cares about every detail of my life. But in moments of frustration and in times when I was so confused about the purpose in the waiting, I lost sight of that. I could only see the next step, which involved more waiting. And I was so tired of waiting. But God knew the next steps that would lead me back to St. Louis and to a job that seems like a perfect fit.
I can’t promise you that God will answer your prayer tomorrow or next month or even next year. I don’t know how God is using a season of waiting in your life to shape you, and I don’t know what God is preparing for you as the next step.
But I do know that He hasn’t stop working on your behalf. Not even for a minute. No matter how silent or distant He might seem to be, I am even more convinced of His goodness. Because I’ve seen Him redeem what felt like wasted years. But they weren’t wasted; they were simply preparation. He did it for me, and I know He can do it for you.
I’ll blog about my transition and what I’m learning as I go, but I would welcome your prayers. It’s a lot of change all at once, and I know I’ll be stretched and challenged in new ways.
If you’ve gone through a career change or moved recently, what did you learn? What advice would you give me?
