I’ve been holding out on you for a few weeks.  It has taken me that long to tell my family and to wrap my head around how to explain what exactly has happened.

Let’s start on May 3, 2013.  That’s the day that I received a phone call from my principal, where I work as a second grade teacher {and have worked full and part time for the past 10 years}.  I was just finishing up a conference in Jekyll Island where I learned A TON of information about how to further this blog and gleaned just what I needed to make my vision come alive.  I was on a high!  I know God has been pouring new ideas into me and I could finally see how I could really make some of these new ideas really happen.  Then the phone rang.

A Hard Decision

As you may, or may not know, I have been working part time for the past four years {since my son was born}.  This means I lost my tenure as a teacher so when there are cuts, my job is always on the line.  So, I was given the option to cut my hours to 40% {meaning I would lose my benefits: retirement and health insurance} to remain at the school where I’ve taught for the past ten years or to take a different job at another school in the county where I could keep my benefits.  The difference was I would have to work everyday for 4 1/2 hours {I’ve been working all 8 1/2 hour days 2 or 3 days a week} and I would need to go take some classes because this job was out of my field.  I told my principal I would pray about it.

All weekend long I said silent prayers to God asking him to show me which direction he would have me go.  My only desire is to stay in the will of God and to walk in his timing.  On Saturday, my husband and I discussed the option to work everyday at a new school and we also entertained the idea of me resigning and going full time with my blog.

Again, I would have done either if I could have heard clearly on which direction God would have me go.  On Sunday, I watched Glory of Zion’s church service, like we do every Sunday morning.  I sobbed through the entire service as I knew that what was spoken that day was just for me.  I could’ve been the only one listening…it felt like a private discussion.  It was then I felt a peace about resigning from my job and I knew what God was asking me to do.

Stepping Out is Easier Said Than Done

I walked into school on Monday morning, not expecting to have to make a decision quite yet, but I was wrong.  I was met by my principal who notified me that I would need to make a decision that day as soon as possible.  I was a wreck.  I knew in my heart what the right decision was but I was a little frightened to walk the talk.  I stalled for time to get some reassurance from my husband and mom per a couple of quick phone calls.

Even though they both said they would support me no matter what my decision was, I new what the right decision was.  I had to say goodbye to fear and hello to faith. God has been teaching me a lot about faith.  Through my husband’s battle with cancer my faith grew exponentially.  God gave me peace and supernatural faith from Him.  That’s what made this decision a little easier.  I know that regardless of what happens to me or my family, God will take care of us and we will be more than just “fine” because God loves us and has something GREAT for us.

“When nothing is sure, everything is possible.”

~Margaret Drabble

I walked into my principal’s office and told him my decision to resign.  He was upset.  I’ve been getting ready to take an administration role and this came as a real shock {to him and me both!}. He asked me what my goals were and I responded like this: “If you had asked me a couple of months ago I would have said my goal was to climb the ladder, to be a principal, a superintendent even.  But, today, my goal is to walk in the will of God and in his timing. That is not to say He won’t have me return at some point.  I’m not really sure.  But, I do know that this was ordained by him.  I was set up….by God.  He gave me the opportunity to decline his will by taking the other job.  It would have been the “safer” decision by earthly eyes.  But, I know that although this choice makes little sense in the earthy realm, it was God’s plan to teach me to walk in faith and not in fear.

“Look for the opportunities in the difficulties, not the difficulties in the opportunities.”

~Victor Fiorelli

When asked what happened, why did I have to go, I say…”because it is what God wanted.”  I am not angry or upset.  God has ordained this.  This big decision was set before me because He wanted to know if I would trust Him.  And, I do.  Whole-heartedly.  He has been our healer, provision, our warrior, our strength, our EVERYTHING.  So, I trust Him, with everything.  We are not promised tomorrow.  There are no guarantees, only opportunities.

 A Time of Transition

My last day as a second grade teacher is in about three weeks and I will walk away with a bounce in my step.  Why?  I am not afraid.  I am not worried about what will happen because I know God has something awesome for me.  He asked me to take this step so I could receive it.  I took that leap of faith because I KNEW that was what it would take to see my blessing released.

I don’t know what all He has in store for me or my little family but I know it is going to be more than I could imagine.  He’ll open doors for me that I didn’t know existed.  I’m filled with excited anticipation even as I write this.  He’s been giving me some plans a little at a time and I have more than I have time to do now!  I know I’ll do things that I am not sure how to accomplish now because God will give me the knowledge I need and will arrange the meetings with those who I need to see to get these things done.

“The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.”

~Orison Swett Marden

For now, you are going to see some sprucing up around here.  Once things settle down between the move from part time teacher/part time blogger to full time blogger/wholesome food enthusiast/and full time mommy, you’ll be seeing more posts and hopefully some new news about the directions that I am going in.  I know I have to get the word out on real food.  That is my first assignment and promise to you.

I want to leave you with this.  If you are faced with a hard decision and you are frightened of the future just know:

You can not live your life in fear AND have faith.  Fear is the opposite of faith.  Choose God and choose faith.