Today, I officially put in my two-week notice for my job. I've wanted to for a while now, but haven't felt a peace about it until recently. I couldn't be more excited! One reason is simply that I've been way over-booked. I'm volunteering three days a week after school, doing an internship on Saturdays, volunteering every other Wednesday and Sunday at church, and I'm going to two different schools. I also have an apartment that needs cleaning and a husband that I enjoy spending time with.
My schedule's just a teeny bit full, if you can imagine.
But another reason is that I'm ready to devote 100% of my time to focusing on school (which includes the internship and the volunteering) and being a housewife. I'm so thankful that my husband has a job that allows him to attend school, provides benefits, and one that's placed him in a position of leadership where he can grow and be stretched. I'm so proud of him, and so thankful that God is our ultimate Provider!
Also, Brent and I have been wanting to exercise our faith more in the area of finances, and looking at our budget, it was something where we knew we could manage without me working, but it would definitely make things a lot tighter. However, we knew that it was time to start making that transition for a number of reasons. First, as I said, we want to put our hands to work, but we also want to exercise our faith more. Second, we've been desiring a more simple lifestyle just in general. Third, I've been way too overly stressed about my overbooked schedule, and work was at the bottom pf my priority list. And last, while I'm not opposed to working another job in the future, right now I'd really love to just be a student, a volunteer and a homemaker. (Plus, I'd love to devote a bit more time to my writing, as well!) I went from being someone who was not very faithful at keeping jobs to someone who, with the Lord's help, has grown immensely in the area of faithfulness. He's done so much in me, and I'm thankful to be where I'm at. I know I still have so much to learn, but I am pleased to say that I have finally, finally passed this test. (Thank you, Jesus!) But now, this is the season I'm in, and I'm ready to embrace it!
Brent and I are believers in traditional roles. While neither of us are opposed to women working, we both feel that for us right now, even without any children (though we're hoping that changes soon), it's best if I'm at home. Western society's way of thinking has tried to creep in, of course, telling me that as an able-bodied, childless twentysomething, I ought to be working a job. The thing is though, I will still be working. I just won't be earning a paycheck. In addition to being a student, I volunteer and I intern - all of which is putting my hand to something, and all of which I can "do as unto the Lord" just as much as I can a paid position. Not to mention, my husband is fulfilling what he's to do Biblically, and that is to work a job. (Besides, even Brent who works hard for us, doesn't really work for a paycheck. God is our ultimate Provider! Brent works yes, as the Bible instructs him to, but he works to be a blessing, and to put his hand to something. In doing so, he gives God something to work with, so to speak. But God always provides for our needs, and He still blesses us with the desires of our hearts!)
Speaking of, it's also easy to feel like I'm not contributing or that I'm making my husband do all the work, but that's just a lie from the enemy who's trying to make me feel lousy! We each fulfill roles, and we're happy to do it. My husband works, and I take care of the house. It doesn't matter that we don't have kids yet - there's still a home that needs managed! We feel in our place this way, and right now, we prefer it this way. Brent and I are A-OK with being a one-income household, and we are also A-OK with me holding a job in addition to his if I wanted to. (In fact, I probably will hold another job in the future.) But right now, neither of us want me to work a job, and so right now, I'm not going to. And we're so very, very happy about it.
In conclusion, here's an awesome testimony of God blessing us, and reminding me that me that leaving my job is the right thing right now...Just today, I was feeling a bit nervous about the whole thing. Despite the fact that I'm super excited about this new season, it's a leap of faith all the same. As we went over our budget, we realized that of course, we'd have to cut some things out of our spending and so forth. One of the things that came to my mind was an upcoming outing with our church's young marrieds group. I knew we'd have the money to go this time around, but I also "knew" it might be the last one for a while. Then I was reminded by the Lord that I'm trying to exercise my faith muscles, and believe more strongly for Him to provide in the area of our finances. Awesomely enough, a couple hours later, the leader of our young married group (who had no idea I was quitting my job - no one really knew) messaged me and Brent on Facebook, telling us that someone had anonymously chosen to pay for our tickets to the upcoming event! I was so blessed and honored, that God would use something so seemingly insignificant as tickets to a pumpkin patch to show me that He's got everything under control.
God is so very, very good!
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