Over the past two years I began a journey that I was not prepared for nor did I think I would ever go on. These past couple of years have been extremely tough. I have battled with many personal things in my life that I am still trying to heal from. That's why people refer to life as a journey I suppose...you never know where it will take you.
I have been forced to really examine my life and figure out exactly what God is calling me to be. For a while, I truly felt abandoned by God. I felt like I wasn't getting a clear answer as to what I am supposed to be. I saw all of my peers from high school college graduation pictures and them moving on to "real" careers. I have a sister who went straight through college and made it look like a breeze. She had her masters by age 22 and was working in DC. I often compared myself to these people trying to figure out why they knew what they wanted to do and I had no clue. I have declared many times that I KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS ME TO DO; but in the back of my mind, I knew I had no idea what I was doing. God has finally opened my eyes to understand that He has given me a clear path. He has showed me who I am supposed to be. And the whole time...I knew it.
Are you ready for me to tell you what I am supposed to be? It's huge and yet so simple.
I am supposed to be a Follower of Christ who lives my life as an example of who God is. I am supposed to find the lost and share God's amazing love to them. I am called to love ALL people so that they may know who God is.
THAT'S IT! That's what I am supposed to do! I finally realized that I can't disappoint God with any career choice that I make as long as I am doing what He has called me to do. As my church's motto goes, "Love all people into a relationship with Jesus Christ" and if I do that, I am doing exactly what He wants me to do. I was focusing so much on the career He was leading me to do rather than what He is ultimately calling me to do.
With all that being said, I made a huge decision today. A couple of years ago, my mom sat me down and suggested for me to go to cosmetology school. It made sense to her because I do enjoy hair and make-up. I love experimenting with my own hair and I like playing around with other people's hair. So it made sense to her. My sister and my Dad also suggested that I do something like that too, but at the time I had other plans. Not to long ago, I came home after getting my hair done and said to my mom, "why don't I look into cosmetology school." Not in these exact words but she basically said, if you had listened to me a couple years ago, you would already be doing that! I'm not one for letting other people tell me what I should do. I'm the type of person to where it has to be my idea. I know it's not a good trait...it's something that I need to work on. My mom was very supportive and we got on the ball of looking at different cosmetology schools in this area. Today, I made the decision to enroll in Regency Cosmetology school and will begin June 24th. I am so excited...I am ready to start now!
As I have briefly talked about in some previous blogs...I think it is very important for us ladies to lift each other up. I feel like working in this industry, I will have plenty of opportunity to lift ladies up, minister to people, love people and listen to people. I have to be honest and say that this is not something I ever saw myself doing, but it's like a light bulb turned on and the passion has come. I am excited about this new adventure.
I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. He is always faithful. So blessed to serve such an understanding and loving God who is so patient with people like me!
Hi Hannah! I definitely understand your struggles. Almost every morning I wake up praying for God to show me what He wants for me to do. And almost every night I lay down reviewing my day for some glimmer of an answer. Most recently, I have been answering myself with, "All I really want to do is make a difference." I have come to believe that is what God wants me to do and that it doesn't have to come in the form of a full time "perfect" career. It's an active lifestyle, just as loving other people into a relationship with Jesus (which is a great way of saying it!). I have spent so much time focused on God telling me what I should be doing, that I really haven't been doing anything. And I, too, have looked at your sister with the same questions. I admire your bold decision to go back to school and make a complete career change. I believe that industry can use someone like you with such an uplifting spirit! I pray that God will use as he already has in so many ways. Your life is inspiring to others and a great reminder of living a life fully with God. I can’t wait to hear more about your adventures in school and for you to finish so you can do my hair!
ReplyDeleteOh Hannah! This is so exciting!! Maybe I'll get my hair done from you someday ;) Cosmetology does sound like something you would do really well at, you look like you've been blessed with the knack to make people look and feel good. And who knows? Maybe you can make great food for people to munch on while you make them look great!!
ReplyDelete