Hearing what God is saying isn't always an obvious thing. We face big decisions in our lives and we ask Him through prayer to 'show us a sign' or to make us see which way to go more clearly. What I have figured out is that God doesn't always make it black and white. He guides us gently...and pushes us by putting things on our hearts. We know that if it is in His plan, it will work out. If it isn't, we'll learn along the way to appreciate the things we took for granted.
When Coach and I were first married, he worked for the City of Derby. He had gone to school to be a teacher and after graduation, couldn't find a job. He had worked summers at the City going through school and had a friend that got him a job there when nothing else was available. We met, dated and married all while he was working at the City. Then we had Brett. We became friends with a couple who had a little boy that was the same age, and the Dad happened to be a teacher and coach at the Middle School here in Mulvane. The more we got to know them, the more Coach felt the push to get back into teaching. He started slow with some Rule 10 coaching. Eventually, he know where his heart wanted to be. He was raised by two teachers, and had gone to school to do exactly that. But when he was ready, the job wasn't there for him. The City of Derby was so good to him. The people he met there were wonderful and became like family to us. The insurance was incredible and we were able to have Brett and eventually Tanner, with little cost out of pocket. There were many blessings from that job...and it was very hard for him to leave when the time came.
While he was coaching and working for the City, he interviewed for a job in Mulvane. It was an English position and Coach was prepared to go back to school to get certified in whatever he would need. He didn't get that job. A few months later, a Special Ed job came available and he was going to try for that as well...all the while knowing he'd need more schooling. The job was filled before he even got a chance to apply, if I remember correctly. He was crushed. He was angry. He was frustrated beyond belief. He wanted more than anything to teach and coach, and the door would not open for him. In 2003, he got a call that a 7th Social Studies/Computers job was available. Brett was starting preschool, and Tanner was not a new baby. It would have been very hard on our family for us to have a new baby and for Coach to start a new teaching job. He put his heart and his soul...and all of our spare time into planning his lessons and making his classroom his own. Needless to say, he got the job. It was perfect timing...even though at the time, Coach couldn't see his plan.
Coach had to leave his comfort zone completely. What if teaching wasn't what he thought it would be? What if the difference in money would cause our family problems? What if this wasn't the move he was supposed to be making? What if, what if, what if?
He was so frustrated when it didn't work out the way WE wanted it to. Even though now...seven years later...we see why. We know why God waited to present him with that opportunity. It was in His perfect timing...not ours. The idea of going back to teaching was put on Coach's heart by God. It wasn't something that Coach just thought of. It was placed there strategically by God. And it was a long and frustrating path...but worth every step. He is now very comfortable in his job. He is touching the lives of many students and athletes and we are so blessed to have the opportunity to watch him do what he loves. I can't imagine anything different for our lives even though at the time we weren't sure how to take what He was saying to us.
I thank God everyday for allowing us the opportunity for Coach to do what he loves and for what he taught us along the way. Leaving his job at the City was very scary...
but the risk was worth the reward.
More than we ever thought possible. After leaving Derby and taking that risk, we were blessed with another member of our family that we never saw coming. Life isn't always love and hugs around here, but we are forever thankful for the life we've been given and for following His path...even when we had doubts.
Have a blessed day!
Amy
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