God Doesn't Need An "Out"

(Note: I had outlined this post during the Fall, but it never made it to the blog for one reason or another. I hesitated to share because it seems so late, but God deserves continual praise AND he's brought this lesson back to my mine recently. More on that part at a different time.)

Last August, I shared that God had provided a job for me at Covenant Christian Academy, but God taught me something as I thought back through the series of events that led to my job. During the months of April and May of 2013, Adam and I officially announced that we were moving to MA. I began praying and searching for a teaching job. I was told that obtaining a MA teaching license could take up to 38 weeks.... This was devastating to me. After finishing one year of teaching, I felt so ready for a second year! I couldn't (and still can't!) imagine doing anything else.

In June, I began praying and searching for ANY job. A position opened up in financial services at Gordon Conwell (G-C). So I applied and changed my prayer... I stopped praying for a teaching job and began praying for this job in financial services. My prayers went something like this: I know I can't teach, so at least give me this job on campus so that I can be close to home and meet people at the seminary. I tried to give God some sort of "out." If you can't/won't provide a teaching job, then given me this one and I'll still praise you for answering my prayers. Eek!

Well the position in financial services was a no-go and I continued looking at other jobs. My sweet friend, Kaitlin, told me, "I'm still praying that you'll find a teaching job." "Thanks, but it's pretty hopeless," I thought to myself.

Adam's admissions counselor at G-C suggested that I contact his friend who was a high school principal at CCA, saying "I don't think they have any openings, but it won't hurt for him to see your resume." Well at some point during the week or so before I e-mailed the principal, CCA lost a math teacher. The principal was quick to respond to my e-mail and asked me to come in for an interview that same week. I just knew that God was going to give me this job! And He did. Within 10 days of my first e-mail to CCA, they offered me the position and I accepted.

God is so good! I am so thankful that He chose to provide for us through a job that I love so much. In looking back, I am reminded that God doesn't need an "out." He doesn't need for me to change my prayer when it doesn't look like He's going to answer the way I wanted. Even if He had chosen to say "no" to my prayer for a teaching job! He deserves the glory in ALL answers. Part of the beauty of prayer is the opportunity to "work out my faith," to grow my trust in God's sovereignty. I didn't do that with this situation. I'm so thankful He chose to say "yes" anyways.