"Diversify Yourself"
Finding employment has been a struggle for me ever since I graduated from college with my Wisconsin Teaching License as I quickly learned that one gets a job in a school district through connections. Unfortunately, I did not have any connections. I ended up substitute teaching for the same two school districts for three years while holding down other part time jobs in effort to supplement my income and make ends meet. After this three year struggle I made a connection in the most unexpected of ways and was blessed with a part time teaching position as a preschool teacher at a private school. I now have been teaching preschool for almost two school years. As I reflect on my employment trials, I have come to the realization that I have not been diversified. Since graduating from college I have only ever worked in teaching jobs or jobs that require working with children and I have never relocated for a job as I have only ever lived in Central Wisconsin. It is about time I diversify. There is not anything wrong with being a teacher or having a job with children. As matter of fact I love being a teacher and I love children, but I need to apply myself in other ways as well because by "diversify yourself" my father-in-law meant that I must be skilled and qualified in more than one area and willing to relocate if I want to enjoy full time employment in this economy.
"Follow Your Dreams"
This brings me to the second part of my father-in-law's words which were "pursue your dreams." It has always been a dream of mine to be a teacher. When I was a 2nd grader I decided that I wanted to grow up to be a teacher. Around my 6th grade year I begin to take pleasure in writing so I told my parents that I also wanted to grow up to be an author. My father said to me, "Forget it. You'd go broke." I scowled and put this dream aside, but I never ceased to keep a private journal. Now, 16 years later, I am making my journal public in order to diversify myself and pursue a second dream of writing. It is my hope to become an inspirational freelance writer. I would also like to publish children's books someday.
"Follow Jesus"
My father-in-law's advice had a third, but important phrase and that is to "follow Jesus." We can plan our lives to what we think is perfection, but ultimately the Lord's plan prevails. He has given us our talents and he wants us to use them to glorify him. We must trust him to know what is best for us. Sometimes we do not always understand why things happen the way they do in life. Many times we are not meant to. But as we look back on our lives, we often realize how the events that have occurred throughout our lives have worked out for our good and how the Lord has taken care of us.
As I initiate my writing career I trust that the Lord has a plan for me. I do not know where the journey is going, but I do know that the Lord is guiding me. For Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." My career plans are to be a devoted wife to Joe, become a mother someday, continue teaching little minds, and pursue my writing passion all while trusting in the Lord. It may take years, but in His perfect timing, the Lord will let me know what His career plans are for me.
