“Someone Should Have Warned Her”
It was my first day of training and there I sat in our team meeting. The meeting had started late because I was late. I was in a car accident the day before and had to rent a car that morning. Not at all the way I had planned on starting my brand new job.
The meeting was unlike any other I'd been to work-wise. We started off in prayer, then went around the room sharing how our weekends had gone. The women listened attentively as I shared the story my accident on Monday. They shook their heads and said, "Someone should have warned her."
Warned me of what?
Well that requires me sharing a bit of the backstory. One that very few people have yet to hear.
I recently began looking for a full-time job. There were many factors contributing to this decision and maybe I'll address them in a future post, but it is not today's mission to defend my decision. I wasn't desperate for work--I had a great part-time job--so I didn't want to settle for the first job that I came across. I trusted that the right job would present itself, even though I continued to be impatient.
Meanwhile, it turns out that my blogging has served as a vehicle for reconnecting with distant friends. After reading one of my posts, a friend reached out and we got together. We live less than 20 minutes apart, but rarely see each other. I let life get in the way of that. After spending an afternoon together, she invited me to her church that weekend. My family had flirted with the idea of visiting some other churches, so we embraced the invitation and gave it a whirl.
I'm so glad I was vulnerable and wrote that post. I'm so glad my friend read it and texted me. I'm so glad we got together. And I'm so glad she invited me to her church because it just felt like home.
We found ourselves there for a second Sunday and my dad leaned over to me and pointed to the bulletin: there was an advertisement for an accounting position at the church. I composed a cover letter and submitted my resume that afternoon. I didn't have the experience, but I had some skills and figured there was nothing to lose.
Later that week I had an interview, then there was a second interview, and before I knew it I was on the phone accepting an offer for a staff accountant position at the church. There are a few other pieces to the story that make things even more interesting, but I'll just say this: only God could have brought things together in this way. I would have been a fool to refuse.
So with a story like that, what should I have been warned of? What did they forget to tell me during the interview process?
Well it turns out that even though I'm working in the business office, my career is still rooted in ministry. We're working for the kingdom of God, which makes us prime targets for the enemy. In accepting employment with the church, I was accepting a degree of spiritual warfare. Although devastating, apparently my car accident the night before my first day was really no surprise to my coworkers. It simply comes with the territory. Someone should have warned me.
But I don't think a warning would have changed my decision very much. And the accident certainly didn't cause me any regret. I know no job is perfect, but this one is about as close as you can get. I thought I would have to compromise. I loved my job at the college and thought leaving to seek full-time work would mean I'd have to settle. There would be no way I could find the kind of nurturing, challenging, and fulfilling environment that I experienced at CCC. But I was wrong.
God has blown my mind yet again. He does so much more than merely provide for me. He blesses me beyond measure and I'm continually astounded. And he does it in these beautifully intricate ways that let me know how deeply He cares for me as His child. I don't want to come across as noble and important, but the price is one that is worth paying. I've been desperately praying for purpose and meaning. He answered my prayers. I'd rather be doing work to further His kingdom and paying a small price than piddling away my time and energy settling for whatever comes along.
The people I'm working with are incredible and the environment is rich with passion. I know there will be tough times, but I also know it's worth it. I'll remember how blessed I've been and lean into Jesus for the strength to pull me through. The hard days are made a little bit easier when you know your work has purpose.
There has been a lot of anxiety throughout the last 2 weeks. The stress of the unknown combined with limited amounts of sleep will do that to a person, I'm told. But I believe things will settle out as I move forward. God has brought too much together to let anxiety rip things apart.
If there's anything I should have been warned of, it's the overwhelming love and support I've felt this week. My last day at CCC was emotional. My boss, coworker, and former professors all surprised me with a farewell lunch. It was so sweet and thoughtful. A bittersweet day for sure. My new boss brought me a beautiful flower on my first day of work. The support and encouragement have been amazing. I couldn't have asked for a more loving transition; once again reassuring me of the fact that this step was the right one to take.
My life felt like it was falling apart in August. I decided to take a break from school and I actually feared I had refracted my hip. Life hasn't been all roses since then, I'm still struggling in many ways, and I really didn't see how things were inching towards this gorgeous season. Someone should have warned me.