Taking the Next Step

 

I am pretty intentional about not living with regrets. There are, of course, decisions I’ve made over the course of the last 40+ years that I wish I wouldn’t have made. Dumb choices. Rebellious choices. Immature choices. They are regrets in their own way, and we all have those.

                But in the years Ryan and I have been married, we’ve both worked hard to be purposeful in our decisions, so we don’t look back and regret the choices we’ve made. We pray hard over the big and small choices alike, and I think we’ve done well with this intentionality.

                I also tend to live in the belief that wishing for a do-over is pointless, not only because it’s impossible, but also because the do-over would negate the journey that has ultimately led me to where I am today. But if I had one thing that I could have done differently in my college years, I would have double-majored in writing and Christian ministries.

                It never occurred to me to pursue two majors, even though there was plenty of room in my writing-focused schedule to allow for a second major without adding years to my college career. I took many ministry classes, simply because I needed to fill my schedule and knew I could do well in those classes. I definitely don’t regret that. I learned so much that I still know today.

                But I didn’t have anyone urging me to take that additional step, and I wasn’t forward-thinking enough to ask for it on my own.

                So when the church hired me last December, I knew I would need to take some additional steps to be fully licensed in my role – and then to seek the additional education I didn’t already have under my belt.

                I’m excited about these steps. They feel purposeful and meaningful to me. They’re not merely items to check off a list.

                And last Tuesday, I took a big step toward the next step. I had been asked to meet with a committee of people (some assigned to me from our district office and some chosen by me) to talk about my place in ministry and to explore some next steps together.

                The first miracle came in finding a day (on very short notice) when six people could line up schedules to meet. We literally had about a week to plan, and all six of us were able to make it work. The fact that some were willing to take off work and others were willing to give up precious free time was such a gift to me.

                Ryan made a big pot of chili for us – and baked cookie bars – and one of the ladies on the committee pitched in a fruit and veggie tray.

                One of my biggest prayers was that as we all came together, the day would be meaningful to all of us. Yes, it was a day about helping me explore my future path in ministry and education, but I did not want the committee to go home and say, “Well, there’s four hours of my life I’ll never get back.”

                I hoped they would enjoy the fellowship and find each other to be helpful and encouraging – and I think they did! It felt like we all jumped in and imagined we’d always known each other, speaking freely and openly.

                The time moved quickly, and at the end, I asked how I could pray for each of them (and I did) and then they gathered around me and prayed for me.

                I came away with an overflowing heart – and I hope they did too.

                My immediate next steps are to do some writing in response to a list of questions I’ve been given, and then in a little less than a month, a committee will interview me! I’m super excited about both parts!

                But even as I walk through these next steps, I will be forever grateful for this day with the committee and all it represented!