2013: The Year of Change

In this blog post I wrote back in May, I made the declaration that 2013 was the year of change for me and my family.  I discussed how much had already changed in my life from my family moving to Florida, my brother Daniel getting married, and several important people in my life moving away and doing new things.  And now, as 2013 winds down, I am completely flabbergasted at how much more significant and unexpected changes have occurred in my life since that post.  All of these changes started with a period of doubt and frustration and have ended up all working out better than I ever expected…

1)  A New Job

As the 2012/2013 school year ended back in May, I had an inkling in my spirit that God would provide a newer, more fulfilling career opportunity for me.  I had been teaching ISS for two full years and felt I had done all I was supposed to in that position.  Thus, I went into the summer expecting God to provide me with something more, and early on it seemed like that would come to fruition.  After a couple of very promising opportunities fell by the wayside, however, I began feeling impatient and frustrated with God’s lack of movement.  I even began foolishly contemplating a career outside of my true calling (in education) due to my frustration with God.

Thankfully, I didn’t make any rash or ill-advised decisions as God provided me with the perfect position of teaching Physical Education at a school that was a great fit for me at Manor Hill Elementary.  I have really loved getting to work with the kids, staff, and families at my new school, and couldn’t be more thankful for this exciting new change!

2)  A New Relationship

Another area that I was getting frustrated by throughout most of this year was my inability to find that special romantic relationship with the right person in my life.  I had several opportunities to date some pretty awesome girls, but for one reason or another, they didn’t end up working out.  This brought on great frustration and confusion on what God had for me in this area.

Thankfully, over the last couple of months, I’ve been seeing a girl who has been a great fit for me.  She not only meets, but exceeds all the things I look for in a woman.  She brings a smile to my face every time I’m with her, and the only problem we’ve seemed to have so far is the whole “saying goodbye” process when we’re together (we hate saying goodbye!).  I don’t want to get ahead of myself or anything, because we obviously have a long way to go, but I’m very thankful that God has brought this special persion into my life and am excited to see where it leads!

3)  A New Home

One thing I knew I’d have to figure out this year is finding a new place to call home for myself.  With my family gone, I knew my time living in my parents’ old house was numbered and didn’t know exactly where I’d end up.  Thankfully, with the blessings my new job has given me, I found myself able to afford a house of my own for the first time in my life.  The process has been somewhat stressful yet exciting at the same time.  The first offer I made was on a brick house that seemed to be a good fit but thankfully didn’t work out, because eventually I found the perfect house for me on the south side of Liberty!  I’m scheduled to close on this house tomorrow and can’t wait to experience what memories God has for me in this new place going forward!

Obviously, God has been blessing me more than I’ve ever deserved lately.  I’m thankful that He’s been answering my prayers in such a positive way but am also curious to know how I would have responded if He didn’t…

What if God didn’t provide me a new career opportunity?  Would I still be praising His Name?

What if God didn’t provide me with a great new relationship?  Would I still be proclaiming His Greatness?

What if God didn’t allow me to find this awesome new house?  Would I still be trusting His Word?

My prayer and hope is that I would still be faithful no matter how God answered my prayers.  For whether He gives (as He has been lately) or He takes away (as He will eventually), God’s way is loving, perfect, and just, and He deserves my unwavering worship and praise no matter what situation I’m in.  As His Word says,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”–1 Peter 5:  6-7

Here’s to 2014:  May it be as memorable and full as 2013 (“the year of change”) was before it!

-BH