A Spiritual Journey - Prayer

     My OLW this year is JOURNEY, and one of the journeys I'm on is a spiritual journey.  I am always trying to grow in my faith, but there are other things fighting for my attention constantly.  I need to be more focused on God.  I'd like to do more thinking, reading, and writing about spirituality on this blog since part of its title is LEARNING.  I love to participate in memes and link-ups because they keep me organized in my blogging.  I participate in something every day of the week (I'm going to start doing Poetry Friday ASAP), but Thursday is free.  I thought Thursday was as good a day as any to add a theme topic: spirituality.

 

     Maybe I'll start my own meme/link-up!  I don't really know how to do that, but I know I need a button and a link up form.  I'll work on that!  Let me know in the comments if you'd be interested in participating.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on your own spiritual journeys.

 

     This week I watched a Master Class show on OWN with Robin Roberts.  I think she is very inspirational and positive, and she gave me a lot to think about during and after the show.  This was my favorite part:

 

 

     I love that:  God has three answers to prayer:  yes, not yet, and I have something even better in mind.  Isn't that fantastic?  I had this demonstrated not too long ago.  In 2008, I decided to job share because of a family health issue.  My job sharing partner was Megan, who is still a great friend and now a writing partner on a book we're hoping to publish about teaching.  The way we became job sharing partners is a story in and of itself and demonstrates what God's "yes" feels like, but it was 2012 that illustrates the "I have something even better in mind" answer. 

 

     In 2012, Megan decided she wanted to start teaching full time again.  At the time, I wanted to keep working half time, but the family issue was stable, so I agreed that I would go back to full time, too, and not try to find another job sharing partner.  It was around February, and I remember the disappointment I felt when my principal said that would be fine, but he wouldn't have enough 5th grade positions for both of us because they had a smaller upcoming class.  Megan would be given the full time position because she had more years of seniority in the district.  He said there would possibly be a 3rd grade or 7th grade position open, so I needn't worry about not having a job, it just wouldn't be in 5th grade.  I tried to keep a positive attitude, but I really loved the intermediate grades, so it was hard.  I began praying that a 4th, 5th, or 6th  grade position would come open somehow. 

 

     A couple months passed without my prayer being answered.  My emotions were all over the place.  I was trying to keep positive, but anxiety and disappointment threatened my positive outlook.  I tried to keep an open mind about 3rd grade and 7th grade and knew I would try to make the best out of whatever situation I was handed, but I didn't want to leave my colleagues or my favorite grade level.  Then something exciting happened.  A 4th grade gifted reading teacher position was posted at Kings, which is a district very close to Lebanon, where I taught and lived.  I couldn't believe it.  I had gotten my gifted endorsement in 2008 but thought I'd never be able to become a gifted teacher because Lebanon had cut their pull-out programs due to budget restraints.  I applied immediately and was called to interview!  In May, I was offered the job.  Of course I took it!  It has become my dream job, and I often have to pinch myself to believe that I'm able to make my passion my career.  I have amazing students and work for an incredible district.  I still miss my former colleagues, but fortunately, I still get to see them.  How's that for "I have something even better in mind?!"