As long as I can remember all I have ever wanted to be was a teacher so that is what I did but it wasn’t what I thought it would be.
What gifts do you feel God has given you? I knew one of mine was teaching.
I had a bad start in school.
When I was first grade I had a teacher who scared me to death. The sad thing was I did not realize school was not supposed to be that way. I still loved school and never complained.
The problem was I was not learning.
Then I met my Favorite teacher ever.
By second grade I was behind. Thankfully I had an amazing teacher who immediately identified the problem and got me some help. Not only did she help me get the remediation I needed but she encouraged me every step of the way.
Thanks to Mrs. Moore I dreamed of being a teacher like her ever since then.
Made it, I became a Teacher.
School is such an important part of our lives when we are young. I was thankful to have a relationship with the Lord early in my life since I needed Him to help me get through school.
I was never the student I wanted to be but I was able to trust the Lord that I was just as He created me to be.
Through the years my dream never changed. I worked hard and with the Lord by my side I graduated with honors from high school and then college. I did it I was an Elementary Teacher.
My First job
My first job was as a 4th grade teacher in a private Christian School. I loved my kids and the challenge of making school fun while making sure my students found success.
But after a few years I found that some kids were not cut out for this school’s fast pace and accelerated curriculum. I was frustrated by the way I was frustrating them and causing them to feel poorly about themselves.
I could so relate to the feeling of working as hard as I could and not doing as well as I wanted to. I just could not be the one who was telling them they were not good enough.
My Second job
So I decided to try a new environment. My next job was as a reading specialist and gifted teacher. I enjoyed working with both kids who struggled and those whom school came easy too.
But again I was frustrated my not being able to fix everything and help all students succeed.
Lord wasn’t this my dream? I had followed you, right?
Now what
Due to financial needs I started working part time for Sylvan Learning Center where everything was completely individualized and I saw the kids make great gains. I prayed for a chance to spend my time making a bigger difference for kids.
When a full time position at Sylvan became available I jumped at the chance to move into a new dream.
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you got just what you thought you wanted only to find that it is not what you want anymore?
Hi Rayna,
I can so identify with what you are saying. Things are not always what we think they’ll be. And when that ‘thing’ is our job – it’s devastating. I’m so glad you found a good fit and are now helping others do the same.
Kim,
I think many of us have worked hard to get somewhere in our career to only find it was not what we expected. It is a true blessing to know that the Lord uses all these things even when we haven’t found our dream yet, molding us into the creation He made us to be. I am really glad that means I get to encourage others along their journey.
Blessings,
Rayna
Sometimes we can be so close to our dream but just a tweak away from being all God has for us. Only He knows, so I can only keep my nose to His back and follow. Thanks Rayna.
Carolyn, I love the word picture of you following along so close behind our Lord your nose is pressed up against His back as you walk along behind Him. Blessings, Rayna
Your post is a good reminder that God may plant a dream and it comes to life in a different place than we expect. I’m currently going through something like that…good that we have the Lord to lead us one step at a time. God bless you as you work with these students.
Beth,
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I pray the Lord will clearly show His presence during this transition time in your life.
Blessings,
Rayna
So true Rayna!! Just when you think you have exactly what you want you find it’s not all it was cracked up to be!! Just like you we all need to follow God’s leading!
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your Amen! Isn’t it awesome that the Lord keeps reaching out for us even when we take a while to follow His leading!
Blessings,
Rayna
Rayna,
Q: Have you ever found yourself in a place where you got just what you thought you wanted only to find that it is not what you want anymore?
This question reminds me of the old saying, “Be careful for what you ask for, it is not always what it appears to be”. Sometimes we focus on a goal so hard, but when we achieve it, it is not what we thought it would be.
Thanks for the post. 🙂
Hi Patti,
Yes, I think it can be disappointing to reach a goal and find it is not what you thought it would be but looking back I know I learned about myself and my Lord during that time. I am thankful for the experiences even though it was not what I wanted it to be.
Blessings,
Rayna