Recently, I realized several things in my life crushed my plans, but what I perceived as a stop or stumbling block had actually been stepping stones to the next part of my journey.
When the end of the chapter on raising my children came, I was lost. I felt like a helium balloon floating adrift in a wind storm. This ending was the stepping stone to my enrolment in college at the age of thirty-nine. I earned my elementary education degree and set out to get a teaching job. When a job didn’t come, I was disappointed. I began a job as the youth services coordinator at my local library. I loved the job, but it wasn’t teaching. I felt bored and unfulfilled, so when a position opened up at a public school as an aide, I took it.
Looking forward to a teaching job that was sure to follow.
However, the teaching job didn’t happen, so I quit to homeschool my great-nephew after three years. I was devastated to not get a job, but that stumbling block became a stepping stone to my own private school. After six years, God closed the door on the school. I was so sad again. My plan had been to grow the school and hire more teachers to help students who struggled in traditional school settings.
The next few years were spent helping my family. God knew what was ahead, and I was able to be available for them. My husband retired and covid hit. This was another transition that seemed like a stumbling block. Still, once again, it was a stepping stone toward publishing a middle-grade chapter book.
Now I write, learn new things in marketing for authors, and spend time with family. I love where I am now, but I know this time is preparation for the next step. Disappointment leads to advancement, just not the way we plan. Many tears I’ve cried over the years could’ve been avoided if I would’ve realized it was only a stepping stone, trusting God to lead into the new adventure ahead for me.