“Hitting the Reset Button”
A new year always
brings with it a feeling of optimism, hopefulness, and anticipation for
something better. As the year unfolds though, we may find those positive and
hopeful feelings dwindling with each obstacle that may hinder what we thought
was going to be “a better year”. We begin to lose hope and the feeling of
optimism goes out the window like most New Year resolutions. This message is
one that I want to share so that you can be reminded when life does not go as
we had planned do not be discouraged but know, it might just be part of the
plan.
At the beginning
of 2017, I came into the year with debt I had not incurred on my own, but was
left to pay on my own. I had also applied for jobs that would mean a promotion
for me and more pay, only to be passed up. I applied to graduate school so that
I could obtain my master’s degree to teach undergrad courses and was not
accepted. So, these events along with the day-to-day obstacles that do not
always come with an immediate solution kept coming at me all year. All I
remember thinking is “obviously God has a better plan”, although I had to be reminded
by those closest to me, I tried not to lose my faith in God and His plan.
Here we are
at the start of a new year. Working in higher education and in one of the busiest
departments in the industry the first couple of weeks have been somewhat of a
blur. Helping our students get set up for the new semester, in addition to
providing guidance to students I mentor, and keeping up with my daily job
duties made it difficult for me to give attention to my personal goals, like
getting into graduate school. I was denied immediate acceptance due to being
one point shy of the GPA requirement and 15 points shy of the General
Requirements Exam (GRE). Needless to say I was very disappointed. I couldn’t
understand why the door had been closed. I was so sure this is what God would
want because He placed the desire in my heart. I thought ok, well this just
means I need to approach the goal from a different direction. I planned to
retake some courses to raise my GPA and reapply in the fall. I had not had a
chance to implement my plan because I had been so busy at work, so Friday I
took time off to handle personal business, school being one. I submitted the
final document needed to complete my admission requirement to allow me to
register. I decided to register on Saturday to allow time for Tarleton to
process my paperwork. While I was running other errands I received a phone call
from our Community & Industry department at work letting me know they have
a GED class they want me to teach on Tuesday, Thursday that would begin January
23rd. You don’t know how excited I was to receive this phone call! I
would begin my adjunct teaching job with the college, in addition to my regular
job, which would provide more income (you know to pay off that debt I was stuck
with) and give me a little relief. It was at that moment I realized why
graduate school and retaking classes this semester were put on hold, God had
another plan! His plans are always better than our own. My Father in heaven
knew I would be overwhelmed with trying to do both so He provided me a solution
to meet my financial need, allow me to obtain teaching experience and more time
to prepare for graduate school in the fall. In His time God will reveal His
purpose and plan to you. So, if at the moment when things are unfolding you don’t
understand it, just wait a bit He’ll show you.
I mentioned
earlier that I had applied for new positions within the college and at other
institutions but had been passed up. I know that with any application it’s a
process. A process of you might get an interview, might not. You might be interviewed
and get a second interview, might not. You might be selected for the position,
might not. Needless to say it does not mean you don’t experience disappointment
during the process. The only thing I can do is continue to apply for
opportunities that present themselves and know that God will place me exactly
where He needs me and in His time. In the mean time I will do my part and trust
Him.
I share this
message because like myself, there are so many that need to be reminded its ok
if we have to “hit the reset button”. No matter what age, stage in life or what
goal we had in mind sometimes it’s necessary. So, don’t be discouraged when
doors close or when opportunity does not go as planned, remember God has a plan
far better than our own. Give Him time to reveal it to you.
~An
Enlightened Diva~
Hebrew 10:36
