Coming into month 4 debrief I had an expectant heart for change. I wasn’t sure what it would be but I knew something was brewing.
Month 4 debrief is known as a crazy and challenging debrief amongst racers because it is the time where the new squad leaders are raised up from current team leaders and team shifts are inevitably made.
Although I was expectant for change, my heart wasn’t quite ready for what was ahead of me.
A couple days into the debrief I was pulled aside by one of our wonderful, current Squad Leaders. She gracefully told me that it was time for me to take a break from leadership and enjoy a season of rest.
(To be honest, these words pierced my heart and a heaviness immediately set in.)
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked.
“We just believe your leadership can only grow stronger
through a season of rest and a season of following”.
I can’t argue with that now can I? Nor do I even want to. The moment I walked away from the conversation I felt such a peace fill my heart and mind.
Even though it doesn’t look a thing like what I was expecting I now realize it was the very thing I needed.
A few days later I also found out that I would be switching teams (which makes sense with leadership changes). I would be leaving Team Arise&Go. The team I have led and served along side the past 4 months. The team I had come to know as family. I remember the day 7 months ago at Training Camp as we sat around a table and came up with the name. The meaning behind the name was so fitting then and it is even more appropriate at this moment.
Arising and going into a new season, a new team.
Which is ironic because the name of the team I am now apart of is Team ANEW.
I still have a bit to process and my time of mourning the loss of my old team isn’t over just yet. But I know that God has His hands all over this and I am looking forward to stepping into all He has in store.
Team ANEW has so much love and wisdom for me to learn from. Even just having lunch with them yesterday I found myself filled with so much joy learning about where they came from, what brought them to the race, their favorite movie, etc.
I love new people, new stories, new relationships, new challenges and although new seasons can be difficult, I lovingly embrace them knowing they are necessary for my growth.
So stay tuned, thanks for reading and thanks for your prayers.
ANEW,
Jolene
