When You Embrace The Unexpected...



When life goes a completely different way than expected, your minds plays tricks on you. I was beginning to accept that all I had going now, was all there was for me. I stopped thinking about what else could be out there and learn to stop dreaming and praying for big things, only to be disappointed again.
A few years ago, I had been invited to tour and interview for possibly becoming a PH. D student at a major university. Considering this was four years after I received my master’s degree and still had no job, I knew this was God finally giving me my shot for success. I was brought in, wined and dined and showered with compliments and praise and positive feedback. I went back home, and a rejection letter followed soon after.

Devastated is an understatement. Extremely depressed. Embarrassed. It was the cruelest joke God had ever played on me. Why would he let them build my hopes up for them to come crashing down? And since I had run out of options for what I thought was the best course for me, I decided to give up the dream I had and “go with the flow.” Until recently that is.

Recently someone invited me to apply for a leadership development program out of nowhere. My thoughts?

“Apply? Where someone sees my past achievements and current status and compares me with others? Not even wasting my time.”

However, this person persisted, and I applied just to show them how I wouldn’t even be given a second thought. I applied and forgot about it…and then I received an acceptance letter in the mail.

Shock is an understatement. Extremely surprised. Overwhelmed. It was the most unexpected twist God has ever played on me. Just when I thought there was nothing else for me, this letter was proof that God’s grace never left me.

So now what? Will this be my key to finally reaching the career I’ve strived and prayed for? Will it be just a good opportunity to reach out and network? Or is this just a nudge from God saying don’t give up just yet? I honestly have no idea, but prior to other opportunities in the past, I’m letting God lead the way this time. I’m staying open-minded, grateful for the chance to hope a have a future again. Nervously excited to learn new things and embrace new challenges the program may present. Constantly casting down fear and accepting the call for faith and boldness.

When opportunities present themselves to you, do you remember what happened in the past? Do you cower away from them?

Let’s do it differently this time. Let’s do it afraid. Let’s fight and press for the high calling. I’ll be doing to it with you!

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