“Oh maaaaan,” I grumbled, and purposely thumped my head back
against the headrest in annoyance. “I canNOT believe this!” I’d just pulled
into the Truckee Tahoe School District office, early for my 9:30 appointment to
sign paperwork that would solidify my new paraprofessional position. Reaching
for my tote bag, I had rifled through to make sure that I had all the
documentation necessary for tax forms, I-9 forms, etc. and only then had
realized that my passport was still 15 miles away in Floriston, sitting on top
of my file box where I’d left it this morning. I groaned as I slipped out my
cell to call the HR director and beg to change my appointment time.
Ten minutes later, I was flying on I-80, windows down and
music up, driving back to grab my passport. As I rolled past the picturesque
landscape, I thought again about how disappointing this was, to hit yet another
snag in the road during my first few weeks here. I’d already dealt with buying
a car, getting a flat tire, having to replace all tires and struts on my car, and
spend far more on establishing myself here than I’d planned. There were DMV
title changes, driver’s license registrations, fingerprints, applications,
tests and other assorted fees. To be so close now to signing onto another job
that would make my lifestyle here possible and then to realize I’d left key paperwork
behind only added to my frustration. I knew that I would still make it back for
an appointment and that things would work out, but this was another hiccup, and
I desperately wanted to done and finally feel established in my new home.
It was the mist that caught my attention. Slowly rising from
the valley below, it shrouded the base of the mountains in its blanket, and
with the sun reflecting off of the light particles, it cast them in the most
beautiful light and dark shades of blue. How could I be frustrated and
disappointed when THIS was my view? Sure, my emotions were still present and
valid, but as I turned my thoughts pointedly towards things I was grateful for,
I found the negativity disappear like the mist in the morning sun. I realized
that this trip back to Floriston was a gift. I could get on a more professional
change of clothes and freshen up a bit. I could grab a quick second breakfast.
I direly needed to get gas in my car, and Verdi, Nevada was only 10 minutes
down the road from home for an extra 80 cents off California prices per gallon.
No, this wasn’t what I had planned for my morning, but it turned out to be so
much better; what had started as a setback turned into a blessing.
Since then, I’ve experienced numerous things that haven’t
gone as I would’ve liked; my job schedule is far too crazy and unsustainable
for me, leading to sickness and a non-existent social life, something I can’t
live without. I’ve had to cut back on hours, resulting in a lower monthly
income. But through that process, I found out that my paraprofessional job is giving
me a steady wage each month, regardless of vacation days, sick days, etc., and
they even cover vacations, holidays, and sick days. This was an unexpected
provision straight from God’s hand. He knew I would become overwhelmed by work
and has provided a way for me to still meet my needs and yet not wither away
from lack of friendships and fun in my life. Each setback I’ve endured has come
with an outpouring of generous gifts from my Heavenly Father, and reminds me of
the verses that He has been pressing into my heart over and over this past
month:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your
thoughts.” ~Isaiah 55:8-9
“In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord
determines his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9
I smiled as I pulled into the District Center for the second
time that day. My renewed and freshened perspective would guard my heart
against the disappointments that loomed ahead, still unbeknownst to me. Regardless
of these further setbacks, I made it through and eventually got everything finished.
Through this experience, God is slowly and surely teaching me how to praise Him
and be grateful IN ALL circumstances. Choosing where to fix our minds has such
power, and I’m grateful that God is training me in this, as it is transforming
me into a happier person who is more and more trusting of His plans for my
life. Thank goodness for that!
