For Such a Time As This

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

A few weeks ago, I started a new job. Interestingly, it happened to be at my college alma mater. I had prayed about the next chapter in my life for a long time. I sensed that when my nest became empty, I was called to do something else, something more challenging, something that would make better use of my talents, something that would stretch me.

If I’m honest, I prayed with hesitancy. I really don’t like change and I had become quite comfortable where I was. I loved the people I worked with at a small elementary school, so much so, they had become like family. I loved the children I got to see everyday. I loved their parents.

I had prayed about returning to work full time, for over a year when my last position came open. When I first started that job, our school nurse, who became a dear friend, had just been diagnosed with ALS. I prayed with her every morning as I watched her slowly die with each passing day. She taught me so much. It was the hardest year of my life and it bonded me with my coworkers in ways I could never explain to people who weren’t there. She passed away at the beginning of the next school year.

If given a choice, I would have never chosen to live through that season, but God clearly wanted me there, like Esther in the Bible, God put me there at that moment in time for a reason. When the sun came out again, coworkers had become family.

So, when I obediently started sending out resumes and got rejections, it was okay with me. I had decided to put it in God’s hands. I wasn’t worried. I knew there was a plan and I was okay if it was to stay put.

But, when I got called in for an interview, I met eight of the most upbeat positive people I had ever met. We laughed a lot and they seemed to really enjoy their jobs. They were doing work that I would be proud to be a part of, using skills that I had longed to use for years.

When I got the offer, I knew it was meant to be, so I put in my notice. My coworkers were super supportive, but it was very bittersweet. My last day was difficult to say the least. My desk was decorated. I received flowers and treats all day from staff, parents and kiddos. My team provided lunch. After hugging my office mate goodbye, I sobbed all the way home.

Monday called for rain, but as I drove in, I witnessed a gorgeous sunrise. A student bus was at a stop light and I smiled as I remembered riding that route myself, but I laughed out loud as the message, “Have a Nice Day,” scrolled across. I knew it was a God wink. When I arrived, my new coworkers were so kind and welcoming. I knew I was in the right place. On my drive home, I saw a hawk sitting on a fence, another God wink, another reminder that I was where I was supposed to be.

Now, as I find myself working from home due to the COVID-19 outbreak, along with my hubby and two college kids, asked by government officials not to leave unless we absolutely have to, I once again find myself in a place I wouldn’t have chosen to be. I see so many Facebook posts about the death toll rising, jobs lost, weddings postponed, and senior years cut short. There’s a lot of fear, sadness and negativity out there and it’s all legitimate.

Maybe now more than ever, like Esther, we need to remember that we are all here, “for such a time as this.” The God who knit us together in our mother’s womb, is in control. He has a plan. If we trust Him, He will use us to glorify Him, even if it’s scary and sad for us at the moment.

Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you did too.

Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂