Don’t worry . . . Be happy . . .

(That song is now stuck in my head!)

Transition.  Do you shutter when you read that word?  For the most part, I don’t mind that word so much.  I’ve always liked change; it usually means new beginnings.

My husband just completed his DMin (Doctorate of Ministry) program.  It has been a long journey –seven years of graduate studies.  He graduates this weekend and there is a big party planned in his honor!   

 Doug at his hooding ceremony for his Master's Degree

Now that he has completed his education, the challenge of finding a job in his field begins.  With the economy the way it is right now, there are no teaching jobs at the college or University level. In fact, most institutions have cut their teaching staff immensely.  His dream is to be a Professor.   Instead, he is back in the automotive parts industry – selling parts at Auto Zone.  Some people may say he just wasted all that time and money on his elite education, but I beg to differ.  First off, he went for his dream and completed what was necessary to become a Professor.   That’s huge in itself!  Second, just because there are no open doors right now doesn’t mean there won’t be one in the future.  Third, he can still use his voice and teach, write, lecture, and coach from right where he’s at.  One does not have to be at a University in order to teach – just like one does not have to be a pastor in order to minister. 

We are in the process of short selling our home.  The economy around us has put our home 30K upside down in its value.  We will walk away with nothing except the relief of not having a big mortgage payment every month.   We have no clue where we are going next.  Most likely we will move into an apartment.  I’m wrestling with all of this and trying to make sense of why our plans haven’t worked out the way we thought they would.   Originally, the sale of our home was going to pay off the student loans.  We had no way of knowing what the economy was going to do.  And we certainly didn’t plan that there would be no jobs available.

This time, “transition” has not been fun for me.  Panic, anxiety, fear, depression, and feelings of loss have been welling up inside of me. We are at a crossroads.  Will we stay in the area or move back home?  We are weighing our options and opportunities.  Not knowing where we will be in the next 6 months is overwhelming.  Everyday has been filled with stress and struggle.

And then I saw this on a friend’s Facebook status:

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
Corrie Ten Boom

Wow – that hit me right between the eyes!  Truth and wisdom is written all over this statement.

I decided to stop stressing and start relaxing!  What a difference!!  Every morning when I wake up there is hope instead of fear.  And even though I don’t know where we will end up – I know we will end up somewhere.  Wherever “somewhere” is . . . It will be home.  So what is there to do except enjoy the journey to “somewhere” and anticipate great things.  The peace and calm I have felt this past week has been incredible.  I can smile and laugh – even through the chaos! 

All thanks to a simple Facebook status!  So remember, God has given you the strength to endure and get through your situation . . . one day at a time.  Be present in the today and not lost in the tomorrow.   Be blessed my friends!