I’ve been at my current job for what will be seven years this year. I was only supposed to work here a few months, but God had other plans.

My current job is as a customer service representative for a gym owned by a hospital. I was a member first, and a friend who worked there (and kept asking me to work there) recommended me to his boss, who asked, “What about the girl with the cupcakes?”. I desperately needed a job and already knew everyone. I was excited to work with my friends. Over the years I’ve witnessed miracles, grew as a person, and learned many lessons. Most importantly, I learned to bloom where I am planted and to work for the Lord and not unto man. I’ve learned so much from my “tiny job” and knew I was supposed to be there. It’s there I met my buddy Brent.

One extra chromosome changed my life…

Flash forward to present day, seven years later, and not understanding why my life isn’t moving forward. I’d had enough with the lessons and the waiting. Last few months, I had grown so stressed with little understanding of why. What was I doing wrong? I was doing something wrong or not in the will of God. I was so desperate for change and planned to move to Washington state, where my cousin is being stationed with the airforce. I bought a snowsuit (and now you know why… ha!). I finally decided I either trust God or I don’t and cannot live lukewarm. I started taking it one hour at a time constantly reminding myself God had a plan for my life.

A friend God put back in my life AND Charles Stanley both said if you do not have peace, maybe it is not God’s will for you. That could not be because I had to move away from New Orleans. I needed change. I was taking steps of faith. I even told Brent’s mom I could not understand why God held me captive in New Orleans.

Her response was, “Because He has a plan! Maybe we’re part of the plan!”

This past Saturday, I watched a sermon with my name written all over it about trusting God.

He talked about jobs.

“God has to get circumstances ready. You don’t like your job, and you’ve been praying for God to give you another job. So you say, ‘Well, I’ve been praying-I’ve been praying two or three months now. I’ve been praying three or four months. I’ve been praying six months. I don’t have a job. Where’s God?’ He’s exactly right where He was, to begin with. You know what He’s doing? If you’re walking in the will of God, here’s what He’s doing: He is working in the circumstances so that somebody who is in that job that He knows ought to be in some other job that He’s going to move him there, He’s getting them ready and getting you ready.

You just can’t be like a bulldog and just run your head right through all of society and everybody else and say, God give me what I want. Give me what I want when it fits Your will and Your timing. That’s when I’ll do my best and I’ll appreciate it the most.
So, we have to remember that God loves other people, too, and so therefore He works-
[congregation laughs].
-Is that a surprise?
He loves other folks, too. So-and then of course the second reason is because He has to purify our motives. Sometimes, we want things that are pure selfish. We don’t consider whether it’s the will of God or not. We don’t consider whether it’s good for us or not. We’re just-We’re just selfish. We want it. We want that and sometimes people want something that somebody else has. We can’t expect God to work in our lives in such a fashion that uh other folks are hurt in order for Him to give us what we want. So, when I think about our motives when you’re praying and you’re talking to God what’s the motive for which you’re asking when you’re asking Him. Is it because there’s a genuine need? Is it because you can be better at what you do because of it? Is it because you love other people? Is it because you want God’s best in your life? Is it because you believe that it’s the will of God for your life? Is it because you can be more fruitful and more productive and more helpful and more meaningful to others because of whatever you ask Him for? What’s the real motive? Listen, God’s interested in motives because, remember this: He says He’s predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. He’s not gonna involve in our lives, bring into our lives, those things that contradict His purpose.” – Charles Stanley, Waiting on God’s Timing, Part 2 <–YouTube link

I had two jobs during a pandemic, was given a car, and could not calm down.

After months of stress, praying, wondering, doubting, having it UP TO HERE…

Suddenly… I realized I’ll be at this job seven years. I’m not into numbers, but know it’s God’s number. SEVEN YEARS. This season HAD to be almost finished?!

The week I was off of work and listening to sermons, I applied to eight different jobs including Lowe’s and a cafe. I still haven’t heard anything back.

I mentioned to my aunt I was looking and she texted me this past Monday to email a principal my resume for a teacher’s assistant job with Pre-K. I didn’t think much about it except that it would be an interview experience, rejection experience, and ‘why not’. I did not go to college so I did not expect much.

I sent my resume to the principal Monday afternoon and she called me that evening. I had an interview Tuesday night and she basically handed me a badge. On the way to the interview was praying for God to either cut off the job or let it be clear if I should take it and the principal’s first question was if I knew “Patricia”. The teacher I would be working with is a friend from high school (who told me after she had been stressing because she needed an assistant).

I couldn’t believe it and still can’t believe it.

“God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.”

I told her I had to think about it due to I’ll lose hours with Brent because the pay isn’t much different than gym. But, the good outweighs the bad. I accepted and handed in my resignation letter.

I’ll have a job with benefits, gain experience, work with my friend, and have summers off.

I left the interview like WHAT JUST HAPPENED. She said I could start this coming Monday, but I told her I would like to give my two week’s notice at my job.

Brent’s mom said she doesn’t care where I work as long as I’m not moving to Washington! ❤

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

I know nothing about what I’ve just applied for, but am trusting God gave me this position and will lead the way. I told the principal I’ve said I would never be a caregiver ever again for the rest of my life and I got Brent. I said I’d never be a teacher and am now a teacher’s assistant. She laughed.

We make our plans and God laughs. If you’re struggling keep holding on. Keep clinging to Him. His ways are not our ways and there aren’t enough gray hairs on my head to make this season end sooner.

“Every good and perfect gift comes from above…” after 4 years God gave me a car

I had a meltdown over soup and a rental car: “If you think you’ve messed up God’s plan; you, my friend, are not that powerful.”

The Dr. said <1%… but, God…

God said I would see a miracle and it’s been a year full of them. “If a man had 100 sheep and one of them went astray…”

On the way to the interview this song played on the radio. I’d never heard it before, but had to get myself together as I pulled into the parking lot.

Fires – Jordan St. Cyr <– YouTube Link

“I remember how You told me that life may not be easy and everything that I need You’ve already given me.
I remember how You told me I can trust You completely, So why am I doubting When You proved that You’d fight for me.
You’ve walked me through fires, Pulled me from flames.
If You’re in this with me, I won’t be afraid.
When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher and it feels like I can barely breathe
I’ll walk through these fires cause You’re walking with me
I’m changed by Your mercy covered by Your peace
I’m living out the victory doesn’t mean I won’t feel the heat
You’ve walked me through fires Pulled me from flames
If You’re in this with me I won’t be afraid
When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher and it feels like I can barely breathe
I’ll walk through these fires cause You’re walking with me
I can face anything cause You’re here with me
I can do all things cause You strengthen me
I remember how You showed me the price of my redemption Lord.
How could I question when You proved that You’d die for me.
You’ve walked me through fires, pulled me from flames.
If You’re in this with me I won’t be afraid
When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher and it feels like I can barely breathe I’ll walk through these fires cause You’re walking with me “
Written by Jordan St.Cyr, Micah Kuiper, Krissy Nordhoff