Having been retired for 28 months now, it's probably time for me to stop talking about it! But you can probably tell, from all my talking about it, that it's been a challenge. I absolutely loved what I did as a teacher and elementary media specialist. It was fun and different every day. Where else can you dress in silly hats on your morning tv broadcast, make slime with first graders, have engaging lunch bunch discussions with older students, improve tech skills beyond what you thought possible, and more! Plus work with dedicated adults with the same mission to improve the lives of the youth of our country. Makes me tired just thinking about it!
So it wasn't the busyness that I missed, or even the fun. I think it's just the purpose and meaning that it gave my life. Maybe even my identity. Teaching can be a hard profession to leave. Yet leave I did. And I've prayed every day since then for the Lord to show me what's next. However, I think I was still holding onto my identity of the past. Once a teacher, always a teacher! How was the Lord going to show me new roads if I was still steering my car in the old direction? I needed to surrender the past and the fear of letting go. What might the future hold if I wasn't a teacher or the Library Lady any more? Jesus take the wheel!
The following is a quote that has had great impact on me in this transition time:
Especially the second line: there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. My teaching and library work, while loaded with fond memories, really was no longer meaningful. Note I didn't say important, or impactful. It was and is! But it's in the past. It is not where my security should be. It is not the movement and change that I knew the Lord had in mind for me. Look up and forward! There's the life and security I was longing for. How could I know what the Lord would show me if I was always looking behind? Yes, we teachers don't lose the "eyes in the back of our heads" when we retire, but the Lord said to keep those eyes closed! Look ahead. Let go of the wheel to see where He wants to steer me! Freedom!
As I've been able to do that, new groups of friends have come into my life, new activities, and areas to grow spiritually and share that growth. That's where the focus is now! Life has truly become a new exciting adventure. There is new life in the movement. New strength in the change. In the days to come I plan to expand on the changes to encourage you to break out/move on/steer into the new course for your life. Have you sensed the same thing? Ready for a new season and adventure? Let's do this together! (I can almost hear Tom Brady yelling his famous "Let's Go!" at this point!).
I look forward to sharing more along this exciting adventure of faith. I read a quote about the Lord being our great Travel Agent and we're the tourists he is looking out for. He's identified our routes, bookings and destinations. Let's trust Him and enjoy the journey...and stay grounded, friends!
