If you hang out here very often, you have noticed a theme running through my posts in the last few months. A huge life change was about to happen and I honestly needed to write about all the feelings in order to process every emotion that filled my heart. An ending of sorts with the promise of new beginnings finally happened on June 5th. After 30 years of teaching, I said my final goodbye to colleagues and all my students the day before. I am blessed to celebrate retirement from teaching and all the hope and promise that comes with any life change.
As of this moment I do not have earth shattering plans for what is next, but I have hope and God’s promise that more is to come. It is enough! God’s promise of a new tomorrow is all we need to pull through today.
Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 MSG
As I read 2 Corinthians 1 above, my heart was doing a happy dance. Did you read it carefully? We get stamped with the Yes of Jesus. The great Amen is God’s Yes and our Yes together to create the beginning of all God has ordained for us to complete. This is what we need and reach for when waiting for the next “BIG” thing. There is truth and promise in our hope when it lies with Jesus.
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I am resting in hope and the truth that God’s promise is always true. I am leaning in and listening to God’s word and whispers in my life. I am practicing the art of stillness while at the same time reaching for the next goal that will soon be at my fingertips. I am readying myself for the next “yes” and staying open to all possibilities.
Saying my last goodbye is not the final act. Walking out the front doors of school gave me hope and a sense of peace that what is next is exactly where I am supposed to be headed. Looking over my shoulder is not needed, but setting my eyes on what is in front of me will lead me home.
How do you stay ready and hopeful as God is preparing you for your next “BIG” thing?
I am always glad when you stop by. Would you join the conversation? If you have found encouragement here, please feel free to share with others through any of the social media icons below.
Blessings,
Mary
You can find me hanging out with these lovely ladies!
Holly #TestimonyTuesday
Kelly #RaRalinkup
Jennifer #TellHisStory
Beth #WeddedWednesday
Susan #DanceWithJesus
Just found your blog through #dancewithJesus, and this is beautiful! I am actually on my 3rd year of teaching now, and it’s fun to hear from someone at the other end of their story. So exciting for you…I hope you find so much joy and sweetness in slowing down and finding new ways to love people and pour out your heart!
You blessed me today by being here and leaving such a sweet, encouraging comment. I wish you nothing but success in your teaching career and always know in your heart how you are making amazing difference in the lives of so many children. Blessings!
Mary,
We’re neighbors today on #DanceWithJesus link-up and it’s not a coincidence. Thank you for your words of encouragement as I wait on the Lord for Him to open the next door, to show me the next step.
Blessings to you!
Stacey
So glad to meet you here, Stacey! I will be praying that you are ready for those doors to be opened in your life. Blessed that you stopped by here today!
Beautiful…beautiful…beautiful. Especially this: “Looking over my shoulder is not needed, but setting my eyes on what is in front of me will lead me home.” Love this post and you!! Can’t wait to see what God has in store for you next! Maybe a trip to NC??? 🙂
I would love to take a trip to NC. That will have to be in the future with all the little excursions I have planned this summer. I’m hoping we can meet up in SC in October!!! Thank you for being such an encouragement for me. Love you!
Hello Mary, “the Next Big Thing, the Next Big step”.
You are stronger and more ready than you think. Congratulations on the New Day, the Lord is presenting to you. Can’t wait to hear your testimonies.
Many Blessings to you.
Awww! Thank you for your sweet words. I do feel ready and I am listening so I can hear God distinctly. Thank you for always being such an encouragement to me. Blessings!
My husband and I ate lunch today with one of my first students. When he told us that his 20th high school reunion was next year, I suddenly realized that I’m old and I’ve been doing this for a LONG time ;). I had him as a shy but mischievous eighth grader who spoke no English. Now he is an articulate man who teaches Bible at a private Christian academy and is married with two children and has dreams of going back to the school where I taught him and working as the principal. THAT is why I teach. That is why I go back into the classroom year after year. I hope that God guides your new journey–and if you get lonely for a classroom, you’re always welcome to come hang out in mine :).
Yes, that is what it is all about. Seeing your legacy as a teacher played out in the lives of your students is so beautiful. I know you are an amazing teacher just from reading your blog. Thank you for cheering me on in my sequel and I would love to hang out in your classroom someday! 🙂
Transitions are so tough, but I love the verse you used! Ready and hopeful for me comes when I am pressing into the Lord and being faithful in the right now. Thanks for you words!
I am sure the reality of my transition will hit this Fall when everyone heads back to school and I am not. I do know that God has so much planned for me and I need to be ready and willing. Thank you for being here and for your encouragement.
Oh, how exciting! The adventure, the suspense and the excitement of knowing that Daddy God is in the details!
Thanks for your honesty and the visual of walking out of one door and not looking over your shoulder!
God’s best to you!
So glad to meet a new friend here today. Thank you for your sweet words and wishes. I pray we all may find God in the details of our lives whether we are going through good or bad times. Have a blessed day!
I think the best way to remain ready and hopeful is that daily staying in step with the Lord, Mary. My problem is that I often get in a hurry and try to run ahead of Him. It’s a constant challenge to simply make “Him” my focus and not some dream that I think will fulfill me. I am so excited for you, though! You just take it easy–resting, refueling and enjoying the sweetness that summertime brings, girlfriend!
You give good advice – take it easy, rest and refuel. Ahhh! I am working on that and today was the first day that I experienced the deep breathing that comes with slowing down. What a blessing it has been. I know that life will get busier in the Fall and that is the rhythm I am used to. Thank you for your virtual friendship and sweet encouragement.
I’ll bet you are leaving a legacy of positive attitudes and encouragement to all those you’ve influenced through your career – not only the students, but parents and co-workers, and administration. I hope your future is as bright as your memories. Bloom. Best Regards.
Thank you for your sweet words today, Janet. I pray that I did make a difference in all the lives I touched over the years. I pray that I bloom in the future and I appreciate your well wishes. Thank you for stopping by.
Mary,
I think you are in the right place…waiting on God with an expectant heart! I know that God is going to stretch you and grow you in ways you could never imagine…He’s like that you know 😉 I take heart in knowing that some of the great Bible heroes were just getting rolling at our age lol. All kidding aside, I look forward to see what great things God will do through you. It’s going to be a wonderful adventure!!
Blessings and ((hugs)),
Bev
Thank you for being on this journey with me. I feel like in some ways we are kindred spirits and I love that. I smiled big when you mentioned that some of the great Bible heroes were just getting started at our age! 🙂 So true! I am looking forward to next steps with excitement and a readiness that I never felt when I was younger. I am blessed by your words and encouragement. In grace and peace!
Hopping over from Jennifer’s Linkup and I want to wish you all the best and brightest things as you embark on this next and new chapter of Life. Blessings!
Thank you for being here, Loretta. I have always loved books and getting to each new chapter to see how the story is unfolding. Now it will be my own life. This is an exciting time and God has so much goodness in store. Blessings along the way!
“God’s promise that more is to come. It is enough!” Yes, indeed it is more than enough! Plus maybe a trip in the near future to see a friend in Chicago!! 🙂
I can’t wait to see what God has in store for you. Blessed to be following along on your journey.
Love you.
xoxo
I am learning that what makes me brave in this next step is all God. It is also the friends that come along side me with encouragement, prayers and willingness to cheer me on. It has been the most beautiful thing of all. Thank you for being one of those friends. I cannot wait for the end of July!!!
Yes Mary, you did it, and with grace and joy! Thrilled for you and standing close by as your friend to see what the “Yes of Jesus” holds in store. Love the inspiration and contentment evident in your life. God is good!
Love- Karen
You shower me with such encouragement, Karen. I am so thankful that God has blessed our friendship. Here’s to joy and rest this summer and time to listen to all that God has next. Love you!
Yes! Always remembering the promises in life during our transitions..perfect timing for your blog, I’ll be writing about transitions this week, hopefully posting on #Testimony Tuesday. Warmest blessings during your transition. I’m sure in your years of teaching you touched so many! I can only imagine the emotions you’re facing after 30 years..and yet know God has new plans for your future! Blessings!
Amen! The emotions are real and the blessings are many. God has walked with me my whole life and I am learning, even when I didn’t realize it, that He has always been present. This gibes me the strength to move forward toward the unknown. Thank you for your sweet blessings and words today. I would love to read about your own transitions, so send me the link. Have a beautiful week.
I’m loving sitting on the sidelines, watching your life unfold, blossom, and bloom into this next season, friend …
The sky’s the limit, the doors are opening, the opportunities are going to come crowding in.
But for now? May you savor sweet relief and lean into some deep rest. That’s my prayer for you!
;-}
I know you are! I just find it amazing that I have been given this gift of time to use as God wishes and has planned. I have been looking forward to the rest and renewal part of retirement all school year. Now it is here and I find my pace slower but not completely relaxed yet. It will take some time. So good to see you here as always.
You have a wonderful outlook for God’s next chapter, Mary. Congratulations on 30 years! If we’re following God’s path, listening closely at each step, then there’s no fear in next chapters. You’ve expressed that well. How do I stay ready and hopeful? By keeping the truth that it’s God will center focus. Stopping by today via #TestimonyTuesday.
Thank you for the good wishes. I just know that my next chapter is going to be amazing and now I just need to be ready to say “yes”. It sounds so easy but I know that with any part of our story there is more than meets the eye. Holding onto God’s will for our life is a great way to focus and I pray we all may feel this at the center of who we are. Blessings!