Timing is a tricky thing. There’s comedic timing that if missed, results in zero laughs. There’s timing in conversations, because you don’t want to be the awkward girl talking about how great your love life is going when your sister just when through a tough break-up. And there’s even timing in cycling, slowing or speeding to catch a green light so you don’t have to unclip. But more than any of those, there’s timing from the Lord and timing in our lives.
When I announced my move and new job last week, a friend said to me, “Oh, I didn’t know you were unhappy and were looking.” Well, I wasn’t either of those things. I wasn’t and I’m not unhappy with my life. I wasn’t looking for a job in Nashville. And I truly hope my friends don’t think along the same lines. The timing of this has very little to do with me, and it has everything to do with the Lord. Let me back up a few months.
About a year and a half ago, I felt drawn to Nashville. I’ve lived there before and when I moved the first time, I never expected to return. Throughout the last 18 months or so, my heart has slowly changed, as did my desires. I began thinking and praying about returning to Tennessee, though I wasn’t entirely sure where. Nashville and the surrounding community continued to grow on my heart, and I specifically started praying about a future move. In January of this year, several things in my life made me want to move quickly, and I decided to try and make it happen. But every door closed abruptly in my face. Sometime around March, I began changing the way I prayed about Nashville.
I started praying for contentment with my life where I was right then, for my own community and my own town. I knew the Lord was calling me to Nashville, but I also know He wasn’t calling me yet. So I stopped looking for a job; I took my hands off of the situation. I began to fall in love with my town and my community. I fully invested in where I was and what I was part of, and I was happy. I’m still happy. I became content in my singleness and began to see it as an opportunity to do so many more things. I looked at my life differently. I started praying for the Lord’s timing in a move, and I asked him to open a door when He was ready. I was done looking and trying to do it on my own.
Fast forward to August when I received an email about the new job. I actually hesitated in responding because I wasn’t sure I wanted to move anymore. But this is what I had asked the Lord to do, so I drove up to Nashville for an interview. As I met the people at Abingdon and learned more about the job, my heart began to grow toward the idea of moving. The job was perfectly suited for me and my skill set. Throughout the interviewing process, I learned my current position at HudsonAlpha would be changing as well. With a key member of our administrative team retiring, job responsibilities were going to be changing, including mine.
While I’m confident I could’ve rolled with the changes fine, it’s a perfect window to hire someone new. The timing of this was orchestrated perfectly, and through absolutely zero of my own doing. And there’s so much more I wish I could share — timing with my beautiful roommates and timing with our home. Timing with the seasons and the cycling schedule and the JDRF Ride. Beautiful and perfect timing because it was His doing and not my own.
Am I scared to move? Of course. I’m anxious to find new people to ride with, and I’m anxious to find a new church family in the coming months. (I hate going to church alone; it’s one of my things.) But I’m also at peace with the changes, because I know He’s preparing a way for me long before my feet get there. I’ve already seen it, and I’ll continue to see it.
I write these words for a few reasons. I want my Alabama friends to know how much I love them and how happy I’ve been to be part of this community for five years. Please don’t ever doubt that. I also want to encourage you. If you’re in a season of unknown or a season of restlessness, rest in the arms of the One who can provide. He’ll make a way if you allow Him, and He’ll quiet your restless spirit if you open your heart to Him. Trust in Him, and trust in the season you’re walking through.
His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our own. Trust in His plan, seeking Him above all else. He’ll make your path known.