Week 17 - My Story is Just Beginning

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-15


This week was about endings at student teaching. My students each day saw more things come off the walls as my teacher begins packing the classroom. I taught them for the last time on Monday, then spent the rest of the week assisting as necessary, finishing grading, or just observing. I attended the declamation end-of-the-year party with some of the funniest and most energetic students. I turned my technology tools back in to the tech office. Then I walked out of the door for the last time on Friday afternoon. For this reason, I thought about starting out this post with 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I must say, this semester – and this college experience – may have seemed a bit like a marathon at times, or a battle, and I do feel a bit victorious.


Yet, it isn't the end in many aspects. Instead, I'm striving forward towards where God is calling me next. This placement has prepared me for that. The principals gave me great advice in a mock interview Thursday which I carried into my first interview on Friday. In that interview, I was asked to talk about what this student teaching has taught me – and it has certainly taught me a lot about management, about planning, about connecting to students, and about how to implement all the knowledge and passion inside of me into the classroom daily.


Thankfully, I've also had two other calls for interviews and more applications continue to be filled out. Even so, I'm struggling to rely on what God has planned. I'm fearful about the future, afraid that I won't get a job or that I won't have money. I've taken a hard hit not having any income for this semester and I don't know when I'll start making money again without confirmation of a position. God is breaking me, bringing me to a point where my next step is fully reliant on what He decides will happen. I just keep pressing on, though, filling out applications, preparing for interviews, and knowing that God will open the correct doors at the correct time and not a moment sooner.