Growing in Confidence, Part 2 of 3

So, one day Mike gave me homework.

Always growing

One of the biggest hits to my confidence happened after I had been teaching for about 5 years. Teaching had been established in my mind as a strength and God-given talent that I was given. I don't mean that in a proud or vain way, I was just confident I was working in my strength-zone.

And then we moved.

For a year, which felt like one of the longest years of my life, I taught at a school that was not a good fit for me.

Oh, how I wish I could have seen that going in to the situation. I was working 10+ hour days, Beka was 1-2 years old, Mike was working as a chaplain in a hospital setting with crazy hours. I did not fit in with the teachers on my team, did not make connections to teachers in other grade levels, and was teaching a grade that was not my "jam".  After that school year, I was determined to leave teaching and never go back.

But God wasn't done with me yet

Well, I avoided facing my fears and insecurities with teaching for the next year or so, but God wasn't going to let me off the hook forever. Looking back, I'm ever so thankful!! At the time, however, I was not so pleased, especially with the messenger.

God was calling me back to teaching, but I didn't want to go. Mike, my ever-supportive husband, was encouraging me, too, but I didn't want to hear it. Finally, fed up with the circular discussions that were getting us nowhere, Mike assigned me some homework.

Now, anyone that knows me even a little bit, would correctly guess that I'm not a fan of someone telling me what to do!! Especially my husband! (Don't judge me too harshly, please.) But, deep down I knew that he was right. I, the teacher in the family, was assigned an essay entitled:

WHY GOD CREATED ME TO BE A TEACHER.

It was hard!! It took a lot of soul-searching and prayer and remembering those gifts that I felt so confident in just a few years before. But, when I was done, I was renewed! My confidence was restored and stronger than before, especially when I included that essay with my resume and got a job teaching at Dream Lake Elementary. A school and people that will hold a special place in my heart for eternity.

More about Growing in Confidence...

6. It's not a straight shot to the top. There are hills and valleys.

7. You're a work in progress.

8. Growth occurs after the hard work.

9. You won't be able to do it by yourself.