Tag: FINDING A FRESH START

Posted on

FROM GOODBYE TO HELLO

Recently, I said a final goodbye. “Goodbye, 2nd graders! Goodbye, colleagues! Goodbye, Lampeter Elementary!” After 27 years in the classroom, I am officially retired. I should feel excited, rejuvenated, and free—right? Yet I find myself wondering why I don’t feel any of these things.

When people ask who I am, I always answer, “I am a teacher.” It wasn’t just what I did; it felt like who I was. Parents entrusted me with their most precious gifts, their children, and I never took that trust lightly. It is a sacred responsibility to help shape young hearts and minds during an important season of life.

WHO AM I NOW?

But when I closed the classroom door for the last time, I found myself questioning my identity. “If I am no longer doing what I have always done, then who am I?” That question lingers in my heart, yet God is gently reminding me that teaching may have been my calling, but it was never my identity.

Galatians 2:20 gives words to this truth: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” My identity is not defined by a classroom, a job title, or 27 years of service. My identity is found in Jesus Christ alone.

MY IDENTITY HAS NEVER CHANGED

1 Peter 2:9 strengthens that truth: “But you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” Before I was ever a teacher, I was God’s child. During my years in the classroom, I was God’s child. And now, in retirement, I remain God’s child. That identity has never changed.

HE WILL SUSTAIN ME IN EVERY SEASON

Isaiah 46:4 speaks directly into this new season of life: “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Just as parents entrusted me with their children for 180 days each year, I can entrust my life and future into the hands of my Heavenly Father. He made me, He carries me through every season, and He will sustain me forever.

God is reminding me that being a teacher was my profession, but it was never my identity. Jobs change, seasons shift, and roles come to an end, but belonging to Christ never changes.

Perhaps what feels like a “goodbye” is really a “hello”—hello to a new chapter, a new season, and a deeper walk with Christ. What in your own life might God be turning a goodbye into a hello?

Posted on

JUMPING OUT OF THE BOAT

IMAGE OF DUCK IN WATER

The job pays well, the bosses are fair, the hours are reliable. And there I am. Utterly miserable. Taking the job, I promised myself I would give it six months. It is now seven…stretching to eternity. God did not wire me for endless data entry and ferreting through files which should have been thrown out twenty-five years ago. However, I keep showing up; the faithful employee thinking surely something will improve.

ROUND PEG IN SQUARE HOLE

God laughs. The job does not change for the better. I am depressed and exhausted from being depressed. God repeatedly reminds me I am that round peg who tries to force itself into the square hole. Do I listen to Him? My fears of unemployment outweigh trusting God.

A TEMPEST OF FEAR

A piece I wrote about stepping out of the boat amid the storm keeps going through my mind. I’m scared. What if the next job is worse than this one? What if I can’t find a job? How will we buy groceries? What if…what if…. what if????? A tempest of fear surrounds me.

GO OUT AND GET BUSY

After nights of sleepless anguish, I decide enough is enough. Will I take God at His Word, depend on Him, and trust that He has a place for this square peg? Do I have the courage to step out of the boat? Dale Carnegie said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” Thank you, Dale, for kicking my butt.

“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).

THE JUMP

I jump out of the proverbial boat. For years my husband has been nudging me to get my certification as a substitute teacher. I have held back because of my fears of all the unknown: out of control kids in schools where I don’t comprehend the norms or the culture. Finally, I throw fear in the backseat and fill out the piles of paperwork and clearances to be certified. The paperwork is finalized.

On Wednesday I discard caution; tell my employer I am resigning. The deed is done. The following Wednesday I begin subbing.

THE HAPPY DUCK

After all the anguish, I leap out of the boat only to discover I transform into that happy duck riding the waves. God pointed out my sweet spot for subbing, even when I kept ignoring Him. Bravery is stepping out of the boat when God nudges. Inaction is staying glued in the boat.

Courage is becoming a substitute teacher.