Dream job

I suppose I could say I'm living the dream life.

Well, for me at least.

Growing up (especially toward the end of high school), I claimed that I wanted to be a sports reporter when I got older. This was partly true—I really did like the idea of being the next Linda Cohn or Erin Andrews. But, in the back of my mind, the thought of teaching and coaching was more appealing to me. I think my high school cross country coach had a lot to do with that. She truly was inspirational, and she even told me she could see me as a coach later in life.

So what did I do? I majored in journalism in college so that I could pursue sports reporting.

Then, after I graduated, I got my first reporting job covering high school sports for a local city. I honestly loved it (most of the time), but I found it peculiar that, when interviewing coaches, I frequently wished I were on the other end of the interview—not because I wanted to be interviewed, but because I knew what I was really supposed to be in life.

One morning while I was running, I was praying and found myself in a bunch of confusion. I was thanking God for my job, but at the same time I was asking for clarity: Why was I not content? I prayed for discernment and for God to reveal to me what I was supposed to do. I certainly didn't want to quit my job, but I knew it wasn't where I should be.

Sometimes God answers so clearly that it's almost ridiculous.

We had a company meeting later that morning, and our president announced that we were going out of business. I felt things could not get more obvious at this point. It was time to pursue what I was really meant to do.

So sweet that my runners picked me flowers. :)

Honestly, the only way to describe how I ended up with the greatest teaching job I could ever want in the fall of that year is simply the grace of God and His amazing plan.

Then this summer, after teaching at this school for three wonderful years, I was given the opportunity to add cross country/track coach to the mix. After much more consulting with God, I knew it was the right thing to do. Sure, I've gotten a lot less sleep since July (thanks mostly to being in grad school still and now having to go through bus driving certification), but it's so worth it. I absolutely love what I do, and I wouldn't trade my job for any other job out there.

I've learned that life doesn't always lead us to where we thought we would be. But sometimes it does. And, even if we're too stubborn to follow His plan the first time, that doesn't mean He won't still lead us to where we need to be. That's just His mercy and grace in action.

Who doesn't love seeing the sunrise at practice every morning?

My life at 27 may not be everything I originally pictured—let's just say I definitely didn't think I would still be this single—but I absolutely consider myself blessed beyond belief.