God, He Did It Again

“Hello!

My name is Meg, and I’ve recently graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development. I wanted to inquire about any employment opportunities at your center, because I was not able to find an employment reference page on your site. I’d love the opportunity to apply for any openings in your center if one were to arise.”

On August 17^th, 2016 I sent an email to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Children’s Center with no inclination of what would happen next. I wasn’t the happiest at my current job, so I felt that it wouldn’t hurt if I put in a few applications elsewhere.

To my surprise, there actually was an opening. So I emailed the director back and forth a few times, visited the center to get a feel for what the environment was like, and submitted an application. With even more luck than before, the director emailed me to see if I wanted to interview for the position. I was ecstatic and already started imagining what it would be like to work at the center. But shortly after my interview I was told they went with a different applicant. So I let out a big sigh, pulled up my big girl pants, and congratulated the director on being able to find a person that was the right fit for their center. And then the miracles really started flowing in…

The director was so impressed with my professional communication and similar educational philosophy that she offered me a casual hire position. The casual hire position meant that I wouldn’t get the same benefits as a permanent hire, but it gave me the opportunity to work at the center for a few months.

Now this was a hard decision to make. Do I quit my stable- benefits included- job that I wasn’t so happy with, or do I risk it on a temporary job that I would greatly enjoy? So I prayed, then I talked to family members, and finally I just went for it. I quit my job and said yes to a very risky situation.

And it was completely worth it! I loved the center, loved the job, and loved the kids, but it was still just a casual hire position… I was only guaranteed employment until May and after that who knows what could happen. So I prayed and fasted for 21 days. I trusted in God and said whatever your plan is so be it. And God’s plan must have been for me to stay at that center, because the director came up to me and asked if I wanted to extend my casual hire to December.

My mind was blown! I can without a doubt say that God is faithful. I took a risk and trusted it was what God was calling me to do, and He didn’t let me down. He gave me the opportunity to work in an incredible center with an amazing staff and the most wonderful students. I praised God for answered prayers, and that was that.

So now my contract was extended until December, and I was feeling pretty content with the situation. I knew that if God wanted me to stay there then He would make a way, but somewhere else in my heart I wondered if God was calling me back to San Diego. Knowing I was only guaranteed employment until December, I started applying to jobs at my alma matter- the best university in the world- Point Loma Nazarene University. I applied, I interviewed, and I was pretty excited about the idea of moving back to California. But again I reminded myself, whatever God’s plan is, is the plan I’ll follow.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

In my application I listed the director of the center as a reference, so I thought it would be good to give her a heads up and let her know in case Point Loma were to call her. This was her email response on August 16^th, 2017…

“STOP!!!! 

I have a job opening in January for you…..was going to tell you in person.”

My boss said that it was luck that all the pieces fell into place for her to be able to hire me onto permanent staff, but I know it’s more than just luck. It’s God doing what God does best. It’s sort of like buying a present you know the person will love. You’re all giddy waiting for them to open it, because you know it’s going to be something they enjoy. Then the look on their face is priceless, because you knew exactly what they wanted. That’s how God works.

God is faithful, all the time. When I was risking it all and hoping for the best, God was probably looking down on me giggling thinking ‘Meg if only you knew what I had in store.’ He always has something good up His sleeve, and that’s the beauty of faith.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

I’ve heard time and time again that the opposite of faith is sight. Sight is being able to understand what’s right in front of you. Faith is having trust in the things that you can’t see. I had faith in God knowing that He wasn’t going to forget about me, but instead He was going to make great things out of my trust. If I had known what God already knows, then imagine how much less I would rely on Him. My faith is in a God who knows.

These are the moments I cling onto when the going gets tough. God has proven to be faithful in past circumstances, so who is to tell me that He isn’t going to be faithful in future situations. When I’m choosing between stable or risky, or if I’m having trouble understanding what I can’t see, I can look back onto the treasured moments of God’s faithfulness. He’s done it before, and He’s undoubtedly going to do it again.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:2-8