When we were all younger we all dreamt of what we wanted to be when we got older. When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina, a writer/journalist and a teacher when I got older. I loved to dance when I was younger so why wouldn't I be a ballerina when I got older?That was my logic anyways. When I was really little I swore up and down that I was going to be a teacher when I got older. I loved "playing" school with my brother when we were little. We would play school using our old school books and we would even go as far as making up our own class rosters.
As I got older, I realized that teachers do not make that much money and I told God "NO!" You see, I am really good at telling God "NO!" and avoiding what it is He actually wants me to do. Sometimes it is out of fear, and other times it is simply because I am just rebellious and I think that I can do things my own way.
In high school I really felt like God was calling me into youth ministry. I love God and teenagers, so it seemed like the perfect job for me, and maybe He really was, but about 3 years after I graduated from high school I really found out what my calling in life was.
Growing up I always loved to be around children. I loved babysitting and I loved working with our youngest children at church, whether it was in the nursery or the pre-k Sunday School classroom.
The Summer after graduation I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to a small island in the Caribbean. While I was there our group lead a VBS and I worked with the youngest children. I think it was during that trip that God had started to plant a seed in my heart for younger children and possibly a career in teaching.
About 8 months after that trip I was still struggling and trying to decide what I wanted to do with my life. All of a sudden one night God spoke to me loud and clear! This peace came over me and I knew that I was supposed to be a teacher. I also laughed that night because for the longest time I told God "NO!" I told Him that I absolutely would NEVER be a teacher! Never tell God "NO!"
I am almost done with school (hallelujah!!) and for the first time since I began this journey a few years ago, I can honestly say that I am enjoying this semester. It hasn't always been easy this semester, but I have learned so much! I am currently observing at a center that has autistic children. I feel like God may be calling me to work with "special needs" children but at the same time that makes me a little bit nervous. (So I am asking for your prayers for discernment) Until this semester, that is something that has NEVER crossed my mind.
People are sometimes surprised when they learn that I'm an education major. Some have even gone as far as to say "I'm surprised that you aren't doing something that has to do with God or the church?!" My response to that is that my "mission field" is wherever God calls me to go. As a teacher, God has put a great calling on my life to love and care for all the children that come into my classroom. (At times that has even been a burden because my heart just hurts for some of the children that I have come in contact with) I cannot wait to graduate and start this journey as a teacher!
Please continue to pray for me as I figure out exactly what it is God wants me to do with my degree=)
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps"--Proverbs 16:9
