Sabbatical

Sabbatical: a break or change from a normal routine (as of employment)

I am about to embark on a new adventure called “sabbatical” and I couldn’t be more simultaneously excited and dumb-founded! After seventeen years of making my home the primary focus of my work, I reentered the work force in my late-40’s very aware of how much had changed since my days in newspaper advertising. During those years our family size doubled, I supplemented our income with a home-based business, we purchased four homes and sold three of them, I educated our children at home through their high school graduation, and my husband retired from his work so we could launch our own small business. And, frankly, I had no interest in going back to work outside our home. My life was full and fulfilling. I had dreams of entering the empty nest phase of life gracefully with my husband before a handful of situations made it painfully obvious that I no longer had that option at that time.

A long-time friend and Pastor at our church was aware of our new situation and called to suggest I consider applying for an Executive Assistant position that was just posted for one of the departments in our church. At the very same time I was talking with him, my husband stumbled across the job posting online in the other room. I hear you, Lord.

After reading the posting, it was clear (to me and no one else) that I was underqualified but agreed to brush up my resume and apply for the position. I thought, “I’ll toss my hat into the ring and leave the results up to the Lord.” Within three days I was interviewed, vetted, and offered the position. I hear you, Lord.

A few days later, I sat at my new desk begging God to help me with what He had entrusted to me. What had I done? What had HE done? Well, He had:

• Placed me in a position of service to people I loved.
• Provided training for areas where I needed professional growth.
• Surrounded me with people that I had worshipped with for the past 21 years.
• Challenged me to trust Him day-by-day, moment-by-moment only to see Him faithfully answer each time.
• Answered a prayer to provide financially for us.
• Showed me again that His timing is perfect.

I hear you, Lord.

Within two years, my oversight recommended me for a position I would never have considered for myself; Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor. In fact, it was a surprise interview of sorts. I sat down to talk with our Senior Pastor about what I loved in my sphere of responsibilities and before I knew it, he was offering me the position. I didn’t even know his current EA was leaving! I mumbled something about how honored I was to be considered and I would pray about it before shaking his hand and walking out the door in a zombie-like state. It was, by far, my worst interview ever! Looking back, I giggle at the thought of the Lord arranging a “surprise” interview because He knows I would have talked myself out of showing up. And if I had, I would have missed out on the most incredible, challenging, rewarding, and Spirit-filled years of my professional life. I hear you, Lord.

So here I am. About to leap into the unknown of a full month of unstructured, unscheduled, and unplanned time. As a fellow Admin, I’m sure you can appreciate the foreign nature of that! Planning is what I do. Structure is where I thrive. Scheduling is how I breath. 

That. That, right there, is the very reason why sabbatical is so necessary.

The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4

Somewhere along the way of mastering the skills necessary to serve with excellence, I started to rely a little less on the Spirit’s lead and depended more often on myself. While I haven’t forgotten that it is the Lord Who gives me breath, life, and fulfillment, the wonder of it all has waned a bit. It is Him who gives me purpose, not what I do. Add to that the difficulties of these past few months and I’m feeling a little crispy. He has arranged this sabbatical at exactly the right time. I hear you, Lord.

So I am headed out to spend time with my loving Father. To grieve the recent losses that I haven’t made enough space for. To feel His warm smile on my face. To receive the extended rest that He has for me. To write. To laugh. To adventure. I’ll hold all that He has entrusted to me with an open hand before Him – willingly offering it to Him for pruning, refreshing, and rearranging to better align with His heart and serve His purposes. That is, after all, my heart’s desire. I’ll be talking with Him and sitting silently with Him. Hearing His voice in an unhurried way. Letting Him remind me…

You are adored.