Saturday, August 15, 2009

Who Would Have Ever Thought...

In August 2002, I was signed up for two three hour classes at Lee University with a declared major of Christian Education. It didn't take another full time semester to realize that, while I loved God and everything He stood for, I was looking for more than becoming an administrator at a Christian school. That was the semester I took my first history class and failed my first exam with Dr. Barnett. Within twenty minutes of seeing the "F", I was signed up as a history major. I know, the logic fails. Don't try to figure it out. I still can't.

In the winter of 2006 - 2007 I sat with Dr. Bob again and discussed what I was going to do with my history degree. He told me that he would love to see me teach and would be proud to have me teach his daughter. Well, I had worked as a substitute and as a teacher's aid as well as a safety officer for the Borough of Anchorage. I had even worked as an admin assistant for a Baptist Student Union and helped lead mission trips. I applied to the School of Education to even see if they might see in me what Dr. Bob seemed to see and they offered me the chance to get my M.A.T. Two weeks ago, I graduated and am getting ready to start teaching on Tuesday at the top Christian college preparatory school in the Tennessee Valley. I'm excited! I love kids and want to give them the best education I can possibly give them but still...

Somewhere something was nagging at me. Something that said, "There is more you need to do." There are some who would suggest I am 'slightly nuts' but I applied to the School of Education for their new Ed.S. program and received word today that I have officially been accepted to begin work on what will eventually, God willing, become my doctorate in education. Can I do this? I am reminded, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

My pastor has reminded me that, "If it's God's will, it's God's bill." (This is the same pastor who rode his new four-wheeler into the sanctuary the morning of his birthday to thank the church for the present.)

My new employer and the headmaster of the school has said he knows I will do well at this and it will serve as an extraordinary example to the students. (I wonder if he knows that one of the cleaning ladies at the school has already signed up to return to tech school classes after she and I talked.)

Whatever happens, I know this is not the path I would have chosen years ago. It has taken Someone far greater than me to get me to this place. Someone who has a great sense of humor and a plan for my life.

I promise to post some pictures of my classroom and office in the next few days.

2 comments:

Becky said...

At the risk of sounding redundant, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Malcolm R. Campbell said...

Cool. It is cool, right? :-)