There’s a chance I could change careers. Again.
I mean, don’t get me wrong. I totally love being a freelance writer. I love words, I love the writing process, and I especially love that I get to wear my pajamas to work. And by “to work,” I mean, “to my desk in the guest room.”
Yes. Right now I am wearing pajamas. And it is 2pm. Don’t judge me. It’s part of my creative process.
Ahem.
I haven’t always been a writer. In fact, growing up, I wanted to teach school. I wanted to be a third grade teacher and give spelling tests and teach long division.
[I know. I had weird expectations of what teaching school would be like.]
I attended the University of Georgia where I studied Early Childhood Education and learned pretty quickly that teaching involved a bit more than spelling tests and long division.
Apparently kids need to know some other things, like the history of the United States, how to count money, the water cycle, and the appropriate time to use a comma. Which I’m still not sure, I actually know, how to do.
I taught for five years. I absolutely loved [almost] every minute of it.
And then I quit.
I just felt God leading me a different way. To be honest, I also felt myself begin to dream in a new way. I never stopped loving my teaching job, and those children will always have a very special place in my heart. But doors started opening. And opportunities arose to step towards that dream of writing.
I prayed. I asked some really wise people for counsel. I prayed a whole lot more.
And I decided that I wanted to be brave enough to change careers. It was a scary choice, that’s for sure. But I had to try.
What if I failed? I’d pull out my spelling tests and head right back into the classroom. Embarrassing, maybe. Failure usually is.
But what if I never tried? That option scared me more than failure.
So here I am, 29 years old, and two years into my second career. Do I think that this is the career I will have the rest of my life? I have no idea. I’m open to whatever path the Lord leads me down. Life is way fun [also insert: scary, surprising, unpredictable] when you let God run things.
Including your career choices.
Some people do stay in one career their whole life. And God is honored in that. Others try many different jobs and honor God in each of them.
Today I choose to honor God in this career [and in these pajamas], doing this right here -– writing about a God that dreams bigger for me than I can dream for myself.
Resources…
The Bible — Colossians 3:23-24
Something else…
Take a look at this HILARIOUS Super Bowl commercial that pokes fun at bad work environments. The will also help you evaluate your dream job!
Special Giveaway…
Shannon, a member of our team, has an AMAZING book called Life.Now. She has graciously agreed to give away 3 copies to our She Seeks readers this week. Here’s what you do …
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Annie Downs is a freelance writer (for now) living in Nashville, Tennessee (for now). Read more at annieblogs.com.
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I subscribe!
I put it on FB!
Hey Annie!
I was JUST talking to Jennifer this morning about career paths. What a funny, sweet article. Thanks for the encouragement to seek HIS guidance.
Hope you’re doing well!
She is adorable! Hazel is loving spending so much time with Jennifer and her sweet family!
Misty
PS- I’m the mom to the adorable 7 month old Jennifer is keeping
LOVE this post! I’m 8 years into a banking career, and while I’ve loved (almost) every minute of it, I’m 18 weeks pregnant with our first child and finding my heart full of desire to be a mommy full time. It’s a weird but exciting experience when God’s working in your heart like that, changing your desires and your intentions. . . and I love it!
Annie – I totally get it. I think God made me to have about 10 careers in order to give me all the skills I needed for what I have finally settled into. My degree is a BFA in theatre with a minor in art. I can’t tell you how much I loved answering the question, “What do you plan to do after you graduate?” I had no clue, but I did know that it wasn’t theatre or art.
Since college I have been a summer camp counselor, a nanny, an account manager, a web designer, a photographer, a youth director, a graphic artist, a preschool teacher and even self-employed momentarily. It’s taken about 15 years, but all of those things have finally lined up with my passion — which is being a part of teenagers being reached for Christ. I am finally in a job and a position where all the stuff I have learned to do is actually starting to fit together…and it all glorifies God. It’s pretty amazing.
Shannon great post! I can honestly say I have had several different careers in my life and as a past career advisor know that on an average people will switch careers 4 or 5 times in their life. No matter what you do I believe you ought to work at something you love! Many of us settle for things that we “can do” as opposed to things that we “want to do.” There is a big difference! When you put God in the center you can’t go wrong as nothing is impossible with God! Keep exploring! I find God builds on what we have!
Wow,
I would think that you are pretty neat for starting another career, as they have said before you can never have enough education!! I am 46 yrs old and I surely wish I would have been grounded in the Lord and taken risk. I took 2 yes of nursing in high school and instead of going to school I married. My dream is one day to go back to school and get my nursing degree, its a passion I have. Keep God as your focus and he will take you to unbelievable levels!!
I like what jennifer said about being queen of the part-time job. lol Honestly I think that’s what I would prefer. Since I’m getting married in July and want to be a stay at home Mom I would rather work part-time at places that interest me and where I could learn something useful and see what God exposes me to through that.
I subscribed to the feed with my e-mail. I’m loving it!
I’m only 20 and already feel like a career hopper. I enjoy so many different things and yet none of them have led me to get a college degree. That among other “oddities” make me wonder if I’m not ambitious enough, or slacking and failing to succeed. All I know right now, is if I keep my intent and focus on the Lord He will cause me to excel (ie I’ll work hard because I love Him and He will get the glory for the strength and grace He gave me). Thanks for this post. Reminds me of the words of Jim Elliot “Where ever you are, be all there.”
Hi Annie,
Switching jobs is hard! Sounds like you are right where you should be. Have a great weekend!
thanks for you inspirational devotions – I look forward to them.
vickie
I can fully relate with this. At any stage of life it seems we can be in the place of “what next?” or “why this?”. Life with God is exciting, full of surprises, and CHALLENGING, but so very fulfilling! For me I have found it is important to not try and look ahead on the upcoming loops in my roller coaster of life, but enjoy the thrilling part I am seated at now.
I think it is so important not to fall into the world’s view of a “successful” woman. The world’s view has women working long hours and never being home with their family…so while their career takes off…they lose their family. Don’t get me wrong, I know that sometimes there is no other option but for a woman to work (I work full-time as does my husband). But, the most successful women I know, are women that follow God’s calling on their life, stay at home Mom’s, who also home-school their children, and are a strong tower for their husband and children. I think every woman should work to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I admire anyone who steps out and follows God’s leading, rather than the world’s! I look forward to more of these devotions!
Hello!
I shared on facebook. 
I love this blog and this post!
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