For those of you who know me well, you know that I have been seeking my calling since I started high school. I jumped from dream to dream frequently, but there was never a moment when I didn’t have an idea of what I wanted to do. I went from doctor in the Navy (LOL!) to social worker to pastor to public speaker. All of these things I was passionate about and could see myself doing, however I never settled for one of them. So after senior year I decided to wait a bit to go to school; my search for my calling led me away from a university and towards an internship in North Carolina. There I found a love for middle and high school students which made me consider being a student pastor, but that still didn’t feel quite right. Then God called me into terrifying territory- giving up planning and following Him around the world on the Race. People continued to ask me as I was preparing for my trip what I wanted to do when I got back and I continued to answer, “I have no idea”. I was doing something new for me, trusting God to take care of my future as I followed Him faithfully to meet His people. This month the planner in me got a wonderful surprise; God started building a vision for what I’m supposed to do next!
As I was teaching nine little kiddos, I started recognizing an excitement for lesson planning and writing on the white board, disciplining and encouraging students. I found where my passion intersects with the needs of the world and the things that break my heart. I realized that I love building students up and helping them surpass even their own expectations. I was fortunate enough to grow up with incredible parents who always told me that I could become anything I wanted, nothing was beyond my reach as long as I was willing to work hard. This month has opened my eyes to the fact that not every child has that gift. Parents in these countries pass on their victim mentalities to their children. They instill a spirit of defeat unknowingly that whispers to students that they aren’t good enough, they don’t have what it takes to succeed. It breaks my heart that these young kids feel like they will never move beyond the limits that their parents have set and I want to work with them to break those chains. Teaching gives me the perfect opportunity to speak into kids’ lives and push them to expect more from themselves. My teammates also spoke into this, sharing that they could see me teaching in inner city schools and working with students who wouldn’t have the same opportunities as those in wealthier areas. They also shared that the Lord wasn’t finished forming my career yet. They said that the Lord has more in store for me than just being a teacher; He is going to reveal more pieces to the puzzle as the Race goes on.
I am excited to say that I have more direction than I did when I started my trip, but, as usual, the Lord hasn’t shown me His whole plan yet. Would you join with me in praying for clarity and the ability to recognize my calling when I come across it in the future?
