Embracing Change and Finding Faith in the Valley

The past few months have been a whirlwind of change and self-discovery.

Back in May, the opportunity to move to the science department at my school became available. Eager to escape the relentless EOG grind, I jumped… without a parachute like I always do. I’ve learned that if I overthink things, then I never take the leap! 

I hoped that this change in subjects would give me time to explore other passions, particularly writing. However, I soon discovered that the new grade level doesn’t provide as much planning time as I had before. Glory, do I miss that planning time! I’m having to get creative in finding time to complete my duties at school.

In July, I took another leap—enrolling in a real estate class. I’ve promised my sister for years that I would get my license so we could work together like we did in the “good ‘ole days.” HAHA! The class turned out to be much more demanding than I anticipated, but I’m thrilled to share that I not only passed but am now affiliated with her real estate company, ready to assist others with their housing needs. Though I don’t plan to retire from teaching just yet, I believe God opened this door for me, and after many heartfelt conversations with Him, I felt it was time to take action. 

August rolled around, being her regular, unruly self. It’s often the only month I miss making my monthly blog post. I’ve come to accept that transitioning back into the school environment after some relaxing days off is tough for me. To manage my stress and mental fatigue, I typically take August off. But this year, I didn’t just miss August’s post; I also missed September’s!

These months have taught me just how challenging it can be to cling to the familiar. I’ve had a few meltdowns trying to find science resources that don’t cost me two arms and a leg. I’ve shed a few tears of regret, declared multiple times that I had made a huge mistake, looked for other jobs, and have almost thrown in the towel of surrender more than once. 

And then I remembered, “God knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give me hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). In Isaiah 55:8, it says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. These verses remind me to trust in a bigger plan. Change is undeniably hard for me. But, as God always does, He shows up and gives the direction, the love, the help, and the encouragement I need to both accept and embrace what I have no control over.

I recognize now that I had grown so comfortable teaching ELA that I was running on autopilot rather than following God’s guidance. I don’t like being uncomfortable and out of my zone. Despite my deep desire to teach science, I have found myself yearning to return to the familiar comfort of language arts. This led me to wonder about the other areas in life where I cling to what is comfortable. 

For instance, does sickness serve as an interruption to remove me from my comfort zone? Does it exist to remind me I’m not in control of one doggone thing here on earth? Could it even encourage me, amidst distractions, to cry out and seek Him more earnestly? Is it to ultimately focus my attention on Him and not the daily grind of distractions that seek so desperately to pull my focus away?

In Ezekiel 40, God provides a detailed vision for the restoration of the temple. A bronze man takes Ezekiel on a tour of the temple so he can relay to the people of Israel what the temple should look like. As Ezekiel moves through the final parts of the temple—the vestibule, the sanctuary (or holy place), and the Most Holy Place—he notices that each room has its own independent doorway. The one leading into the Most Holy Place is smaller. Ezekiel concludes that this door may have been reduced in size to draw one’s focus to the “center of worship”. 

The Apostle Paul once had his focus re-adjusted. Paul faced significant challenges when it came to sharing his faith, and I can’t help but wonder how much of it stemmed from his past life of persecuting Christians. Everything changed for Paul one day when Jesus encountered him on a roadside. In that moment, Jesus blinded Paul to the distractions in his life and redirected his focus entirely on Him (Acts 9:3-19). 

Paul went on to become one of Jesus’s apostles. He endured shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment, yet he used his time in confinement to write advice for future generations. In Philippians 1:12, he powerfully expresses, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” Throughout all of his struggles, Paul remained steadfast in his faith and trust in God’s plan. He recognized that even in his most challenging moments, God was using his circumstances for a greater purpose.

Even when life feels uncertain and I struggle to grasp my current situation, I must hold on to God. During change, in the good times, and in the bad times, my focus and the center of my worship should ALWAYS be God. 

On another note, I hope you will join me in praying for several families in our community. These families are going through valleys no one ever wants to go through. One friend has tragically lost her husband and grandson this week. And the faith I have witnessed from the whole family —well, I don’t have the words to describe it. Another dear friend this week gained her cancer-free body. She fought hard for eleven years, and today she is living with Jesus in a completely healed body. May we all find strength and hope in these challenging times, supporting one another with love and faith as we navigate our own valleys together.