Interview 2.0: His Plans Are Good

Good stuff first: Congratulations to Melissa over at Elementary Endeavors for winning my Bloglovin' giveaway!  Thanks to all my lovely readers, I'm at now at 65 followers! I will be planning another (bigger and better) giveaway as soon as I hit 100 followers, so keep an eye out for that!

Well, I had my second-ever interview yesterday. Thankfully it was a much better experience -- I was even able to articulate coherent thoughts and used real words this time! I'd say that on a scale of 1-10 I earned a solid 8 (solid, folks). In my own biased opinion, compared to last weeks train wreck, it was interview gold. And I was wearing a cutesy outfit, so that helped, right?

Snagged this cuteness at the Tommy outlet last week -- it
says "hire me", right?

As soon as I walked in the building, the atmosphere was completely different than my previous interview. The principal and two other teachers welcomed me into the conference room and immediately started talking and laughing with me like we were friends. I really can't get over how nice they were and how warm they treated me. The principal really worked to make me feel comfortable, spending the first ten minutes cracking jokes and telling stories. He knew I was nervous and he made a point to let me know that it was okay -- I am so thankful for this gesture, because it really did help me to relax and think about what I wanted to say. Before I even started answering their questions I knew that I wanted to work at this school, with this principal, and these teachers.  And, as I got up to leave, I felt confident.

And then my hopes were crumpled like a note confiscated by an angry teacher during a test. As I was leaving, the principal told me that he had seven other candidates to interview after me (Seven -- seriously?!) He didn't indicate when I could expect to hear anything from him, but he did say that I would only be contacted if he intended to offer me the job -- that if I didn't hear from him to know that he truly felt I would make an exemplary educator. I won't lie, I was a little bit a lot discouraged as I walked around the block to my car. I knew that I did my best, but I couldn't help but wonder if my best was going to be better than seven other peoples' "best".

Even so, I am feeling peace. Honestly. As I was preparing for my interview in Frankfort last week I prayed a specific prayer: that if it was God's will he would open the door wide; if not, that he would close the door and lock it. I now know that working at that particular school wasn't God's plan for my life ... but I do know that has a plan. I know that his plans for me are good -- they are plans to prosper me and to give me an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11 -- one of my favorites -- and the verse I have hanging above my bed). 

Such a great reminder to see each night and every morning

This morning as I was driving to the interview in Charleston I was reminded that he opens doors that no man can shut, and he closes doors that no man can open (Isaiah 22). My constant worrying and striving does not change his sovereignty. Nothing I do or fail to do will strip him of his supreme authority in my life. He knows best. I do not. 

I'm a worrier. I'm detail oriented. I'm a planner and an organizer. To say that the uncertainty of what I'm going to be doing this coming school year doesn't put me on edge would be a lie. But, I know that God is in control, and day by day I am learning to REST in that realization -- that he is making all things work together for my good. It's hard, but it's enough for me that God has a plan -- who am I to tell him how to execute it? 

So, for now I will wait. Patiently, with expectation and hope, knowing that he is intricately orchestrating every aspect of my life. 

And while I wait I will eat this delicious watermelon. 

I hope that this encourages you, wherever you are. God has an exceptional plan for each of our lives, and it is far superior to our own. We just have to acknowledging such. 

Emily