Last Wednesday was my last day of work as a process engineer at a small manufacturing plant. It was my first job out of college and I had been there a little over three years.
Leaving this job marks the end of a season, and it is bittersweet.
On one hand, it was time. I was ready for change. I was ready to try something different. The end of one season means the beginning of another and I am beyond excited for the World Race. I am excited to be passionate about what I will be doing. I am excited to live in crazy intentional Christian community. I am excited to spend 11 months serving people around the world. I am excited to see what God will do as I leave my comfort zone.
But the end of a season also means saying goodbye, which is never easy. No matter how exciting the next chapter of life seems, I will never forget the last three years. My job had its ups and downs and I did not always like the work, but the truth is, I came to love the people. I started fresh out of college, a young female engineer surrounded by mostly middle-aged men. I did not have much in common with them, but despite our differences, they accepted me. 40+ hours a week for three years – troubleshooting together, carpooling together, crosswords together, and endless conversations. I am thankful for my time getting to know all of them – poking fun with them, learning from them, and just sharing life with them. I became part of a work family and I am going to miss that family a lot.
But seasons are not meant to last forever, and goodbyes are inevitable. The key is making the most of the time you do have with people. No matter what season of life you are in, God places people around you for a reason. I am thankful for all the people God used in this season of my life, and I am excited to meet more people as a new season begins.
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“Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. But only for a season.”
~Ritu Ghatourey
