Celebrating New Adventures

It was a day in late October when I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I had received a promotion at work just a month prior, but it was really taking a toll on me and I had been feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed in this new role. I had so much anxiety with even just the thought of going into work the next day. Have you ever felt this way about a job? I had been working for this company for 6 and a half years, and I had finally come to my breaking point. I cried out desperately to God, asking Him to provide me with a new Monday-Friday job that I would enjoy before Thanksgiving. I wrote it down on a piece of paper and put it in a spot where I could see it every day, praying the same prayer over and over again. It seemed like a crazy request, to get a new job in one month’s time, when the application and interview processes can seem to go on for months. But I was hopeful that God would open a door for me somewhere, even when I felt hopeless in the midst of the storm I was in.

I also didn’t want to seem ungrateful, because I absolutely was so grateful for the promotion I received! With that job Freddy and I were able to pay off my car and put more money away to save up for a house! But the thing was, I was truly miserable at work. Every day I felt like I had this dark cloud hanging over me—I didn’t feel like my positive, joyful, upbeat self anymore. It felt like all the life was being sucked out of me the more time I spent there. And if there’s anything I’ve learned over the past 2 years, it’s that life is short, and I didn’t want to spend any more time being unhappy at work.

I was putting out so many job applications every week, hoping that one would stick. There was one job in particular that I found that really stuck out to me; something about it just felt right and it excited me. About a week after I applied I got a phone call for an interview and I was literally jumping for joy! I didn’t want to get my hopes up but I was so thankful that God opened a door for me to speak with this company and to show them how much I wanted the job. After several weeks and multiple rounds of interviews, they offered me a job…the day BEFORE Thanksgiving!!! I couldn’t believe it and was completely in awe of how God answered my prayer so specifically: He blessed me with a new, Monday-Friday job that I would enjoy before Thanksgiving! I will always remember this year’s Thanksgiving and how truly thankful I felt for this answered prayer.

But perhaps the biggest perk that comes along with this new job that I’m most excited for is being able to spend more time with Freddy! For the past 6 years that I’ve worked in retail, Freddy and I have never had the same work schedules. If you’ve ever had a retail job, then you know there is no consistency to it—it’s always random and you just have to go with the flow. There have been countless days where we’ve only spent a few waking hours together (anyone familiar with the phrase “ships passing in the night”?) and every month we would only get a few full days off together to just hang out or go run errands. And the only time I’ve ever had 2 days off together in a row is when I’ve planned a vacation. I can’t even begin to express how EXCITED I am to now have weekends, nights, and let’s not forget, holidays off with Freddy! We’ve been together for 7 years now (dating + married) and this will be the first year that I’ll be able to spend his birthday (Christmas Eve) with him!! I’m honestly so happy and so grateful for this new opportunity that will allow me to start a new career and have more time with my family. It’s a Christmas miracle!

As you’re reading this, I hope it encourages you to never give up. God has a beautiful plan for you, and it is definitely worth the wait. I’ll be honest, there were many times where I felt like quitting and taking matters into my own hands. I felt like my plan was better than God’s and I didn’t want to wait around for Him to make a move. Thankfully Freddy was so supportive of me and he encouraged me to be patient and to wait on God—it was much easier said than done but it is so true that “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20). I don’t start my new job until next week, so I’m going to take full advantage of this “down time” that I have the rest of this week, which hasn’t happened during the month of December in a verrryyy long time. Have a lovely week, friends! And if you have any Netflix recommendations send them my way! xo