I was living in Seattle for the summer. I had tried to get a job in Warden (where I grew up) but my app. had arrived a day too late, and so I hadn't even gotten an interview. I assumed I'd be staying in the city. And I was happy about it.
Then, I got a job interview for a Language Arts Special Education position at--get this--the Arts and Academics Academy! A progressive high school that was up-to-date on the latest educational trends. This was in one of my favorite neighborhoods in Seattle: White Center. Over 50 languages are spoken there. I would have a chance to work with students in poverty, students of color, and students who were struggling. I was stoked. The principal called me and said she was going to recommend me for hire. Mom said those rarely get turned down. I considered it a done deal. Husband and I were about to put down a deposit on a beautiful apartment--with a pool. From that neighborhood, I could walk to work. I had plans to get a dog. It was perfect.
Until I got that phone call. The principal said that everyone she'd talk to said they probably wouldn't be able to hire me since I wasn't certified in Sped. My heart sank. The next day she confirmed that human resources was unwilling to hire me. I was broken. This late in the game it looked like our only option was to live with my parents and sub in Warden, which seemed meager compared to my glamorous city life complete with chic apartment and cute dog.
As if that wasn't tough enough, on the way to a Ross Point Young Adult (Christian) Retreat, our van broke down--in a fatal way. Where was God? That weekend we felt so loved. My parents took care of the car. A friend came and picked us up so we could make it to the retreat. Friends encouraged us about our marriage, our faith, our future. I felt like I had nothing, but I was able to move into deeper worship of Jesus and that was somehow better than having a great place to live, and my dream job. It was a worthy trade: everything for more intimacy with God.
Then something crazy happened. I got a call from a principal of a school in Moses Lake--a slightly bigger town near Warden. I got an interview for a job I hadn't even applied for! You see, my mom is an educator and knows a lot of principals. When my last potential job fell through, like any supportive parent would do she advertised me on Facebook. The high school had an English teacher leave last-minute and wanted to hire someone fast! After the interview I took a tour around the school, and was hired on the spot.
Meanwhile, Philip had about given up hope for his future. After a bad experience student teaching he wasn't even sure if he wanted to stick with the field of education. Then things changed. He got a job as an Educational Assistant in the field of Special Education. In the same building as me! Talk about convenient. Phil is also going to be working on his Master's in Special Education online.
So now I am a real, live teacher. I get do actually do the thing I've been talking, learning, and dreaming about for the past five years. Philip has hope for his future again. He will get to do a job that he enjoys and that is meaningful. God's plan was far different than my own, but far better. Even though I'm still grieving the loss of the life I thought I would have this year, I am excited for the journey that God decided to place me on instead. He provided in a way that was totally unexpected. By faith, I can say that he chose the absolute best for me. We will faithfully follow him down this path. He is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment