In the last two weeks I have felt a rollercoaster of emotions. School started back for teachers last week and students this week and for the first time in five years I didn’t start back with them. Aside from that being emotional enough I have realized several things this week during high emotion times:
§ You find out who those true friends are. During these critical weeks, I had a few people call, text, or message me telling me that they were thinking of me. When you work at some place for several years though I guess I was expecting someone, anyone, from that place to call, text, or email me a note just saying they missed me or asking how I was. Nothing. People that I have stood up for, taught with, cried and laughed with for years…. Nothing. No response at all. It hurt until I realized that it’s okay. Because the few people that did contact me- do love me- even if they aren’t the former coworkers that I expected. There is a country song by Tracy Lawrence titled “You Find Out Who Your Friends Are” and the lyrics talk about general situations when you are in need of a friend and how those true people just show up or call without thinking about what’s in it for them…and that’s so true. Real friends are there when you least expect them and they expect nothing in return. So, thank you to those people --true friends and family-- who sent me a text or note or gave me a call on these especially tough few weeks. It has meant so much to me.
§ God is good and He’s got a plan. Being unemployed, job hunting, and focusing on my photography business has obviously had me feeling a bit blue more than once in the last couple months. Despite that I have had an overwhelming feeling of God’s abundant love and always in the back of my mind is Jeremiah 29:11—“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.” I know that God has a plan for my life and it will take place in His time, not mine.
§ God is an ever-present Teacher. Someone said to me several weeks ago during a walk “When you pray for courage, God doesn’t automatically give you courage. He gives to situations to be courageous in.”… This didn’t really sink in until a few days later when I found myself praying for patience, peace, and guidance. And I realized that in my life right now, God is giving me the situations to practice patience, peace, and guidance. (He is also teaching me great things about humility – but I will be writing a whole other blog on that topic.) I’m having to have patience in this job situation and in learning that things will happen in His time, when He sees fit. I am having to seek His guidance to get through daily things and to deal with new experiences. And most of all I know that He is responsible for this peace I am having despite all these new situations and frustrations. He is responsible for the true friends and family that I have and the support they give me. He truly does know everything about us and the way to show us His unending love though people, situations, and experiences.
In closing, I am reminded of a quote I recently read from an unknown author: “Real people are never fake and fake people are never real.” God is never fake. He is very real and is working in my life and I pray He is working in yours also.
Peace and Blessings,
Amanda
