Exactly one year ago my mom and I took off on a road trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., where I tried to reconnect with people at Focus on the Family by visiting those I had known and worked with during my internship. I was going with my gut instinct of wanting so desperately to be back at Focus and live in the shadow of the magnificent Rockies. I was still in college at the time, but wanted to show my face at Focus and let them know that I would soon be on the market. I was optimistic and hopeful.
If you have been following my story over the past months, you know I didn’t get the job, and instead, I took an internship in Sioux Falls, S.D., at a stellar online marketing agency. The internship evolved into a part-time position and eight months of the best experience I could ask for.
But I didn’t give up on my goal and stayed persistent with Focus, checking their job listings weekly and staying connected with contacts I had made there. My efforts finally paid off, and I am excited to announce that I am now a full-time employee at Focus on the Family in the marketing department!
I see now how perfect God’s timing is and thank Him so deeply that He did not allow me to get the job here a year ago. I would have not been ready spiritually, emotionally, relationally or professionally to begin my career here at that time.
Things are always so much clearer on the other side.
When at the time I thought the closed doors were only forcing me into a time of “waiting,” God took that time to prepare me for what was to come. Blessings happened that I could have never anticipated or planned. When we let worries go and give a situation completely and humbly to God, He can surprise us with gifts and beauty.
Although at times it seems the following verses are more easily recited than believed, they hold a deep truth that God has our best interests in mind at all times — how comforting!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
God took this past year of my life to teach me patience and a boat-load of other lessons I didn’t think I needed. He blessed me with three great jobs, amazing friends and a work experience that makes me better prepared for what I am about to encounter here at Focus. Although I wasn’t doing exactly what I wanted, He taught me skills that will carry over into this career and whatever lies ahead. I was placed into a role that stretched my organizational and time management skills, and because of this I am better prepared for the role I desired here at Focus.
Do you feel like you are in a period of waiting: in between jobs, relationships, etc.? Hang in there. Look around and invest yourself; you never know what abundance of life might be waiting for you right where you are. God never puts our lives on pause or auto-pilot, and He can use us even if we don’t feel like we are in the “ideal” place.
Sometimes we desperately desire to be where we think is best, that we don’t allow ourselves to invest in our current situation. We spend so much time dreaming of what is next, that we forget where we are and that God can use us right there, too.
No, I’m not saying you should settle for your current situation forever, but I am suggesting you do your best to “live” in the present. True blessing comes when we are at peace with where God has us.
