How Did We Get Here?
How did we get here? That’s a question I ask myself regularly, and I’ll admit this was not my first choice. I had set my sights on returning to the workforce in corporate America or going back to college after my kids were in school full time. I had high aspirations to make an impact, to be a blessing and to grow my professional accomplishments and felt that I knew the best way to do that.
In August 2022, I did take a full time job in Chicago and sent my youngest child to full time preschool. I was pouring everything I had into that job, taking on new challenges and trying to be a blessing to anyone who crossed my path. I was promised promotions and success and felt driven to earn them and learn as much as I could. I felt fulfilled and that my family was blessed by my additional income and goals. When I sit back and reflect on those days, I realize that I was finding success by the world’s standards and I was a blessing in some ways, but I was failing in others. My husband told me I had changed. I was stressed and distant from my family. My decisions were often guided by selfish entitlement. I prayed that God would direct my way and show me where he would have me go, and He answered my prayer. I really didn’t like the answer He provided and I no longer had this “dream” job in Chicago.
After losing my job, this amazing community that God has surrounded me with really were the hands and feet of Jesus in my life. These friends went above and beyond to pull me up out of this valley I found myself in and they helped me to focus on what we know to be truth and to dive into the gospel like I never have before. Never in my life have I experienced the power of prayer like I did in those moments. God worked through His people and in me to transform my life once again and refocus my goals and my faith.
Next I felt most certainly that God was calling me to aide in a Kindergarten class at the school my children attend. I love kids…I absolutely love them. There are so many things about young children that are so special to me. The infectious excitement they show when discovering something new, the overwhelming love they are capable of communicating, and most of all, their faith. The Bible repeatedly encourages us to have childlike faith (see Matthew 18:3 and Luke 18:17 to start). I am confident in my time working at the school that these kids were teaching me just as much (if not more) than I was helping to teach them. Each one of them are so special in their own ways and God is already using them in big ways to shine their light in the world. As much as I loved my time at the school, a series of events led me to a point where it was clear to me that God was not calling me to fill that position. Again I was devastated for many reasons, but this time I felt a very strong confidence in God’s plan and that He is leading me and knows what is best, despite what I may want.
Fast forward and now here I find myself opening Vreugde. I have no idea where God will lead me in this new adventure, but I know He will use it for His purpose. I hope to be a blessing to anyone who stops in. I hope to write. I hope to create. Mostly, I hope to shine a light, to share joy, to help others experience great delight and to remind each person who visits that they are loved, especially by God. XO
