Just a little recap of the summer… I got to spend it surrounded by people I love. I went on vacation to the Caribbean with my family, visited my boyfriend and his family in North Carolina, and just got back from a week at church camp as a counselor. Between all of those trips, I worked, finished out my final online class, and passed all of my teaching content assessments. Needless to say, the summer flew by and I have no idea how it is already August!
Yesterday marked the end of one chapter in my life. For the past 3 years I have worked at an organization called the Arc of the Ozarks whose mission is to help individuals with disabilities live independently. I worked with the same two ladies for all three years and they are so near to my heart. They taught me so much and made me truly love my job. Yesterday was my last day working with them and I will miss them so much.
However, the end of one chapter marks the beginning of another, which I am so excited for! This week I begin my semester of Student Teaching! This is basically what all of my college courses have led up to and what will prepare me most to be a teacher one day. It will be a lot of work, especially while simultaneously preparing to leave for the World Race in January, but I know I’m not walking through it alone.
This new season comes with a lot of change. My daily schedule will drastically change as I will be in a 3rd grade classroom all day instead of college courses. I will no longer be balancing a job and going to school (which while that sounds exciting, it also means no income until I leave). I will be living at home so I won’t have my best friends living next door to me anymore. Needless to say, there are a lot of adjustments that I am going to have to make. As I prepare for all of these changes that I will soon face, I am reminded of my life 3 years ago. It was right after I graduated high school and literally every aspect of my life changed: my school, my friends, my class in church, my home, my job… nothing felt comfortable or constant at all. But through all of those changes, God turned that season of life into my favorite of all. He has been faithful before and nothing will ever change that (can I get an Amen!!??).
That time now acts as a reminder that no matter what changes in life, God is the one constant I am forever able to rely on. I know that truth will resonate with me even more throughout the next year as there will be even more change month-to-month. It is so cool to watch God prepare me now for the next season of life! But what excites me even more is that He is working in me in ways I don’t even realize! He continuously leaves me awestruck.
So even though there is a lot of uncertainty coming up in the next few months, and in the next year entirely, I find peace in the certainty of Christ. Whenever I am looking for comfort and reassurance (which seems to be often lately!) I always look to Psalms. In 5:11-12, David states “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with favor as with a shield.” His hand is always at work in our lives; He will never abandon or forsake us.
I once heard the quote:
“Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there.”
And that is exactly what I plan on doing!
