New Job, New Shoes, No Worries

I have a new job. Today is my first day. Depending on how this week goes, you may get to hear about it next week. As a result, I’ve been shoe shopping. Sneakers won’t cut it where I’m going.

It’s cliché, but it all happened so fast. I put in one application and about four weeks later, I have a new job. I didn’t expect to have it, I wasn’t entirely certain I wanted it, but here I am.

The whole thing started with one step. A friend told me I had a chance at a new position. All I had to do was submit a resume.

I haven’t submitted a resume in 12 years. I had no idea how they even looked anymore. Oddly enough, though, I’d helped someone edit a resume only days before. I used that as my template and submitted under deadline.

It wasn’t easy. I chose the turtle as my icon to inspire me to move forward, not because I move forward naturally. But God and I had been talking about this employment thing for years. Whether I should make such a change. Whether something better or different was Out There and I was missing it. Whether my sense of comfort would ultimately stifle me.

Even for me, the coincidence was too obvious to be simple coincidence. I stepped. I kept stepping. Not pushing. Not seeking. Just taking the steps as they were presented to me. They were presented, by the way. My friend pulled me aside in church, for heavens’ sake. Did I really need the gold brick with the note tied to it to understand the message was “from God,” even if it seemed scary?

That’s how it’s gone, every step of the way. God presented an opportunity and, instead of running, I took a step into it.

So here I am, starting a new adventure. I’ve been through all the normal emotions for me – grief, anxiety (spelled T-E-R-R-O-R), paralyzing dismay. Alas, rarely does the turtle enjoy positive emotions over major life decisions.

At the moment, I am calm. God wouldn’t have brought me here to dump me, no matter what my fear might try to whisper.

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

I just quoted that from memory. I have no idea what version it is. I only know I believe it. If I claim to serve God, I’d better trust Him with my life. I’d better trust His ability to direct my path. I’d better trust His wisdom in putting me where I need to be to serve Him. He is God, after all. If He can’t handle one turtle, He isn’t worthy of the title.

Today, I’ll be stepping out in new shoes and, God willing, an attitude of joy and hope in the future. Today is the first day of the rest of my God-given life. His will be done.

Oh, and I’m keeping the sneakers under my desk. I’ll be needing them on the two block run to my car to let the dog out over my lunch hour. Just one of the little details I’m trusting the Big Guy to sort out for me. Why wouldn’t He? He’s done everything else.