I didn't get the nanny position that I was applying for. But I kept applying. I kept praying. Then, one day, I got an unsolicited message from a mother, whom I will refer to as Mrs. Friend, with a child who has special needs. She wanted to know if she could interview me to keep her boys. I agreed, and went to the interview.
While there, I was introduced to five practically perfect little boys who immediately stole my heart. Ranging in age from 12 to 2 years old, and with totally different personalities, I was feeling unsure of myself. My self-esteem had been so badly bruised that I wasn't sure I could do it. But their mother trusted me, and I accepted the part-time position, informing their mom that I was still going to be looking for full-time employment.
I had so much fun keeping the boys. The two year-old and the four year-old spent many, many hours in my care. We played tons of games, sang hundreds of songs, and had too much fun. Then one day, Mrs. Friend told me, "You're so goof with children. Why don't you apply at my kids's school? I think they really need someone." I automatically felt that this would be of little use. How could such a prestigious, incredible school want someone who hadn't even been teaching for three full years? The school had received hundreds of applications for teachers before they were even finished with the building. They only wanted the best. But Mrs. Friend kept encouraging me. I finally did it. I printed out my resume, out on a dress, and drove to the school.
When I was getting dressed, I had no idea that the school's principal was in her office meeting with other administrators. They'd come to conclude that they needed additional help. They needed a part-time teacher to teach a single sixth grade class and to provide mandatory educational services for some of their students with special needs. But such a teacher was hard to find. Only someone meeting the requirements of state certification in both Elementary Education and Exceptional student education could be used. Additionally, they only wanted someone with a student-centered heart. So far, they hadn't found what they were looking for.
After the meeting, one of the administrators went out to the front lobby to provide some relief for the receptionist. While there, a woman with a short afro walked in carrying a sheet of paper. She smiled as she approached the front desk and said that she was interested in a position with the school. The next morning, she was asked for an immediate interview.
I was that woman.
What began as a part-time position became a full-time position. I spent my first year as an exceptional student education teacher learning from the best in an environment where teachers expected the best from their students and even voluntarily spent dozens of extra hours working each week. I spent the remainder of the school year praising God for such an incredible school and such wonderful students.
A few minutes ago, I offered to take two Mrs. Friend's boys to a movie that she wanted to see with them herself, but is sick and in need of rest. Mrs. Friend has become just that, a friend. My life at the time I wrote that last post was filled with uncertainty but it was also filled with faith in God's power and faithfulness. He has blessed me more than I had ever even considered I would be blessed.
No matter what you're facing, no matter the difficulty you're experiencing, God has the power to help you. But he's not Santa Claus. Often, he refrains from working miraculously in order to encourage our submission to him. While submitting can be very difficult, it's necessary. I'm glad that I submitted my will to God's.
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