I am thankful for…
restlessness.
Wait just a minute – hear me out on this.
Restlessness is defined in Miriam Websters as:
1) lacking rest or denying rest
2) in constant motion
And my favorite:
3) characterized by or manifesting unrest especially of mind
I’m a huge fan of “being still” and listening, but I also know that restlessness has it’s place, too. If it weren’t for restlessness, or rather, discontent, would we ever be likely to make any changes or move from a spot of comfort?
I recently made a change in employment. This was a difficult decision for me, and one that I brushed off and failed to consider for many, many months. About 18 months, to be exact. I worked for a wonderful employer – a great family business. I liked everyone that I worked with (many with whom I will be forever connected). I enjoyed my job, and frankly, I was quite good at it. I had a roomy office. Flexible hours. I was comfortable.
Comfortable.
About two years ago, I began praying about my place within the body of Christ and for revelation as to how my gifting is to be used in Glorifying the Savior (hence the name of this blog, The Toenail). I’m talking boldly asking Jesus to use me – to show me the path that He wants me walking on, so I can giddy up to the right trail. I prayed to be made uncomfortable, afraid that I would become complacent to His will for my life. It wasn’t long after I began praying about this that I started to notice a building restlessness. I asked for it, so why did it take me so long to act on it!? God’s timing is always perfect, and I have no doubt that the 18 months it took for me to step outside of my very comfortable office was part of His also always perfect plan. When I accepted a new position with a different employer, I really had no idea of what the job would entail. It was truly a leap of faith for me. I have never experienced such freedom before. How crazy is that? I wasn’t real sure about what I’d be doing – but I was okay with that. I wasn’t real sure of whom I’d be working with – but I was okay with that, too. I also wasn’t real sure of the hours I would need to work, vacation days, and all of that other HR stuff you usually find out about before you accept a job – and I was still okay with that, too. I knew that God had been preparing me for this change during all those months of restlessness, and He had this. Uncertain even about applying, then responding, then interviewing…I accepted opportunities as they came systematically, finally leading me to a new job. And now that I’ve been behind a different desk for a little more than a week, I’m confident that I am where He wants me to be right now.
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” James 1: 6-8
Heavenly Father, thank you for your lovingkindness, and for hearing the prayers of this unworthy daughter. Please continue to sharpen my eyesight and make my hearing more keen, so that I may be more obedient to Your will for my life. Father, thank you for my new employer, and thank you for every person I work with and have contact with throughout the work day. I ask for your hand in keeping friendships from my former office alive with your love and for your blessings and protection over that business. All these things I ask in Your son’s sweet, sweet name. Amen.
the toenail 