I’ll Keep It!

Last night I sat surrounded by the “fruit of my labor,” four adults aged 18-23, filling our plates with diverse expressions of creativity. This group can cook! I got to do clean-up at the end.

I remember the decision 24 years ago. I made a trade and never looked back!

My principal offered me tenure. I could know that my job teaching 3rd graders was secure. 

“Take an extended leave of absence. Don’t lose this opportunity. You’ve worked hard for this!” my well-meaning co-workers advised.

I knew deep in my heart, that no job security, no monthly paycheck, no teacher retirement plan could compete with the call upon my life.

I was meant to pour into this little baby and her soon-to-come little brothers. There would be no turning back. For me, this was my career, my learning path, my future.

Now I sit home while my family braves the Black Friday crowd. What if I could go back and do things differently? I wonder. Would I trade my choice for the security of teaching in a classroom? Would I spread seeds more broadly and nurture more lives than these precious four? 

No, I would not.

Thank You, Father, for allowing me 18 years of nurturing and homeschooling my children.

Thank You for helping me learn through every stage of the journey.

Thank You, Jesus, for all the ways You redeem my imperfect attempts to parent and teach.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for encouraging my heart when I start to wonder. 

He who began a good work in my family will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). 

I planted seeds of faith, and good people watered those seeds. Thank You, God, for reminding me that You make things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, NIV).

And I wouldn’t trade Your promises for all the world.

About the author

Anna Gibson is a teacher and writer who is passionate about helping others wrestle hope and meaning out of their struggles. She shares her blog posts on faith, family and philosophy at hope wrestles.com and she will be publishing her first book, Blackbelt Mama in the near future.

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