I’ve officially completed my 50th year of life, and what a golden year it was. God said yes to my prayer to work from home last summer. After 18 years in early childhood ministry, I was ready for a change. My body was ready for a break. My family was in need of my presence. I had worked to get my teaching license renewed last spring, which allowed me to teach either Art or English in the secondary setting. Then through a connection from a friend, I was introduced to the opportunity to teach online. I was blessed with an art position at an online charter school, which meant I could do two things I love – stay at home and teach art. I still marvel at how God put the pieces in place.
So just a few weeks after my 50th birthday last July, I embarked on a new journey. It was a year full of transitions. Preschool to high school. Chaos and noise for peace and quiet. Busy and bustling to stillness and boredom. Organizing meetings and events to merely participating. Constant phone calls from employees to constant phone calls from spam. ABC’s and 123’s to AP Art History. Daily meals on the run to daily meals at home. I had so much time on my hands and was at home so much, I went a little stir crazy. Some days, I made up reasons to run an errand so I could get out of the house. I kept having minor panic attacks thinking surely I was supposed to be doing more or I was needed somewhere. But I wasn’t. No one needed me and that was a weird sensation.
After just 6 months, I finally settled into my new routine of doing mostly nothing. I tried not to talk about it too much for fear of making people jealous. Who wants to hear about someone who can work from bed? Or from their backyard swing? My weekly laundry spoke volumes; ninety percent of it was pajamas. It was glorious. Most mornings, while having my quiet time, I would think, “Is this really my life?” It felt like a dream.
I had time to think, pray, read, and create. I kept thinking I should serve somewhere. I had plenty of time to volunteer. But every time I prayed for direction and what or where I should serve, the answer came back to wait. God had blessed me with this time to rest and heal and for once, just be. I continued my weekly Bible study with a friend as well as attending my husband’s weekly Bible study he leads. I had more time to do the thing I love to do most – encourage. I wrote thank you notes, made surprise visits to friends, compiled goodie bags, sent texts, and made bookmarks. Surprisingly, I also sent birthday cards to family on time.
One of my favorite things I did was teach my oldest son to drive. Had I stayed in my other position, it would’ve been a burden to add 50 hours of driving practice to my schedule. But now I had all the time in the world, and there were no constraints on where we went or how long we were gone. We had the best little chats in the car and fun errands that led to “adulting” lessons on every level. The bank, post office, and the grocery store became our classrooms. The most mundane chores turned into enjoyable memories – waiting in lines, shopping for candles, delivering donations, buying gifts, pumping gas, and taking the dogs to the vet. Every outing became a life lesson, and I’m positive each and every one was ordained by God.
I also had space in my mind to think of others more often. Before, I was so consumed with all my own problems and stress, I had little patience to hear about others’ problems. But this year allowed me to be truly present for others and more invested in their struggles instead of solely in my own. My husband had a stressful year at work and I was able listen, sympathize, and pray earnestly for him. Other friends and family were going through rough times as well and instead of feeling overwhelmed by it all, I welcomed the conversations and opportunities I had to help – even if it meant just listening and praying.
Another major transition that happened was the move to a new church home. It was no small feat and took a lot of prayer. We had been so ‘intertwined’ with our church for over 30 years – married there, my husband and both our boys baptized there, involved in nearly every ministry offered, and also where I was on staff for 18 years. It was all our children had ever known. But it was time for something new. Confirmation came for me not long after on New Year’s. I had decided to use a notebook I had received from my new school to write in for the sermon notes. The notebook had a symbol on it from the House system our school uses for teamwork and school spirit. I’m in the House of Isibindi – which is the ‘House of Courage’. I had already written Joshua 1:9 on the first page as inspiration for the new year. I grabbed it on the way to church that first morning of the new year and thought to myself. “That’d be funny if the sermon was on Joshua 1:9.” Guess, what? God is all about funny. The sermon WAS about Joshua 1:9 and every single point confirmed our decision.
Other golden moments: our youngest son started his first job and grew to be the tallest member of the family, our oldest son bought his first car and learned how to drive manual, and we went on our first vacation without the kids. It was all so surreal.
Wrapping up a post about this year would not be complete without a Word from the Lord. All these ‘golden’ moments in this 50th year of mine mean nothing in comparison with knowing God and His Word. This verse I call to mind, “There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” (Proverbs 20:15) About three months before I was offered the new job last year, I had determined to read a Proverb a day. I did so for several months, and I am convinced it gave me the wisdom needed for the transitions and changes ahead. If you are not reading Scripture every day, this is the simplest way to get started. Read a Proverb a day for every day of the month. Start today with whatever date it is (Proverbs 1 on July 1, Proverbs 2 on July 2, etc). Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day – just do it every time you remember. It just might lead to a golden life.
INTERTWINED 