Express mailing chicks and other ramblings

Thank you to  Greg Armamentos and Jennifer Houlette for your constant affirmations on my blog.  At your invitation, I'm excited to share in the challenge of sharing my spiritual journey this Thursday (the call to action inspired by Holly Mueller).

Did you know that you can express mail chicks?  That's right.  Due to the nourishment in the yoke, they don't require food or water for the first few days of life.

Taken from the frequently asked questions at www.mypetchicken.com: 

How come hatcheries only ship chicks when they're 1 day old?

    For up to 72 hours after they hatch, baby chicks are still ingesting their yolk sacs. This provides them all the nourishment they need, which allows us the narrow window we need to ship them out. After 72 hours, their yolk sacs are gone and they need immediate access to food and water. Without it, they'll die. If we were to ship chicks at 3 days old or a week old, they surely wouldn't survive the trip.

Okay, so what does that have to do with my spiritual journey?  Well, if a mother hen had to leave her eggs to care for the ones that hatched first, it would allow the rest to be vulnerable.  So God provides exactly what they need to survive until the entire flock has an opportunity to thrive.

Ahh.  The point.  In every situation, God provides exactly what we need.  Every. single. time.  His timing is perfect.

See, I ran across this information on a Facebook post. Yes, occasionally God uses Facebook to give us a new perspective.  My first thought was, "That's cool." 

Then I saw it again.  I thought about it.  I realized how perfect it is.

God works that way.  He works in perfection.

I remember the day I decided to "go back" to teaching after a ten year hiatus.  Having four children in a five year span can change your career path drastically.  I missed teaching. Every year I found myself looking at openings and making excuses.  Graduating college, I had a B.S.E. in Middle/Secondary English and a minor in theater.  I decided to finish my M.S.E. in Curriculum and Instruction over the next few years.  I didn't realize how important that detail was ten years later in life when it allowed me a freer path to get a teaching license in Tennessee.  If I hadn't, I wouldn't be exactly where I am today. 

I was working as an office manager of a small private school, when I made the decision to apply to a prestigious private school as an English teacher.  I didn't have my Tennessee license yet, and this could be a fantastic opportunity for my daughter.  Through multiple phone interviews, they asked me to come in and interview in person as well as teach an 8th grade class.  Though I ended up being the second choice in that situation, it was exactly the professional nourishment I needed to be more intentional in my quest to get back in the classroom.  It gave me confidence to move forward exactly when I did.

I sent off the paperwork to the state in March.  It's a crazy time of year to expect a state agency to work quickly, so I followed it up with a phone call to find out exactly what tests/courses I'd need to get a license.  I figured I would be subbing for a year while I earned my license.  It turns out that my eight years of experience and Master's degree allowed me an opportunity for an apprentice license.

(I didn't believe her -- I actually started studying for the ELA Praxis; however, my 38 hours of college English hours highly qualified me K-12 ELA.  Once again -- choices from years before opened a door that I assumed was closed.  This was an important lesson in trusting God and not my own understanding.)

Excitedly, I sent out my resume, cover letters, and took the screening test in my county.  There were two openings posted, but I sent it to every middle school.  (See previous posts about why I love middle school so much.) 

The first call came a few days later.  The principal wanted to meet me to discuss an 8th grade English/Science position.  I remember thinking, Science?  Me? Gulp. 

See, I love what I do. I love writing.  I love reading.  I love acting.  I love engaging in all forms of communication.  I'm good at it.  I have passion for it.  I had to do a lot of soul searching to answer the question, can a good teacher teach any subject or is the subject part of what makes you a good teacher?  The principal and I had a great conversation.  She told me that day that I was at the top of her list, but she had a few more people to talk with.  While she found someone who was actually qualified in science and ELA, I knew a little more about me through the process.  I remember her telling me that she felt I would be a strength to the district and that she would call anyone looking for an ELA teacher on my behalf. 

Meanwhile, the same week, my license was approved.  I sent a copy to all of the administrators who had openings to let them know that I was official.  That afternoon my phone rang.  Could I come interview for a science position?  I gulped.  Yes.  See, I would never turn down an opportunity to talk about something I loved.  I love teaching.  In the interview, the principal said, you're obviously an English teacher.  I haven't posted it yet, but I will probably have an opening in a few weeks.  Ahh - an open door.  This school was just down the street from me.  I wondered at the possibilities.

Later that afternoon I received an e-mail asking for an interview the next day.  It was a new school in the southern part of my county..  It was also for 8th grade English.  Could I come in the next day?  Sure!

I remember praying a lot that day.  I wanted to be where God wanted me to be.  I wanted to do what He wanted me to do.  If this was right, please open the door.  If not, close it tightly.

That was the job I got.

Later I learned the following:
1.  They never would have interviewed me without the license in hand. I had it for 24 hours prior to the interview.
2.  I was actually in the second group of potential teachers. They didn't find the right fit in the first group. 
3.  The job at the second school where I interviewed never materialized due to numbers.

See, I asked, and it aligned perfectly.  It wasn't a traditional path.  It was one where actions years before allowed it to happen. 

And I feel like I am exactly where He wants me to be.  I am blessed by colleagues who bless me, encourage me, and challenge me to have a growth mindset.  I have incredible students who share their successes with me.  Despite the crazy hours and hard work, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

The whole conversation started with a little meditation on shipping a chick.  The lesson of His perfect plan for me is where I'll end it.