Sharing a Coke with my BFF

I spent most of the day Thursday praying.  In a corner of a gold encrusted chapel with Jesus at the center, these words came to me: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  Mt 6,33.  Yes, I need to keep my perspective.  God knows everything and has a plan.

Friday I decided to stay here another week--in limbo at the Hotel Rio ;)  I said my prayers and then paid at the front desk.  Then I got an email for an interview "Can you come today at 2:00?"  Sure!  It was a Teacher-for-Hire sort of place and they had a couple of opportunities that sounded really good.  But as I did the numbers in my head I just knew it wouldn't be enough to live on and the schedule was spread throughout the day so there wouldn't be a chance of getting another job.  I declined graciously and left wondering how many more times I could wear my only nice dress before I'd have to pay to have it laundered.  Then I checked my email.  Three emails from jobs I thought were lost!!  One from a a school in a nearby city (I'd rather live in Puebla, but I grow less finicky by the day).  One that was only part time, but an easier schedule to work in something else.  And one from a job I'd turned down on Monday and then later had sent them a desperate-but-trying-not-to-sound-desperate email asking if the position was still available I would like to accept after all.  They didn't reply right away and since the school year starts Monday I thought I'd missed it.  It was the only full time job I've been offered.  Very dependable school, decent salary, housing assistance, one year contract.  But it's teaching 1st and 2nd grade English, which is something I never dreamed I would want to do.

Ok, I thought, I need to sit down and read through all these emails carefully.  And I really want a Coke.  I found a beachy little taco bar that looked something like home and chose a table at the back.  Reading emails.  Carefully.  Making notes.  Pros vs Cons.  Texting 4 people who could give me advice in this situation.  The waiter brought the Coke.  I poured some into the icy glass.  Ahhhhh so good and soooo sweet.  Waiting for replies.  No replies!  What could all 4 of them possibly be doing that someone can't text back right now?!?!?!  It's Friday afternoon.  Classes start Monday morning.  I have to make a decision.  Like. now.  Check my notes, sip my Coke, wait an agonizing three minutes staring at the screen waiting for a wise reply...

Then the gentle Voice, the one with a smile behind it asks "Why don't you ask me?"  Ah yes.  Duh.  I put my phone down.  So then?  What should I do?  Should I accept it?"  "You said yesterday that if it was still available you would."  I did, didn't I?  Ok.  Yes then.  So I sent the email saying definitely yes, "I will commit to one year, I will sign the contract.  Yes, thank you, thank you!"  I sat back with a sigh of relief, not quite sure what I was doing, but sure I'd done the right thing.  Grabbed my Coke to fill the glass, and that's when I saw it...

Share a Coca-Cola with Jesus

My entire being burst into JOY!!!  I had to stifle an exclamation of sheer happy surprise!  He'd been sitting there with me waiting patiently for me to ask Him, and there it was: the answer I'd been waiting for all week.  This whole week of constant praying Lord, please grant me patience.  And please hurry up!  No doubt He'd been thinking the same thing.  "Sheesh lady!  I offered you this job on Monday and it took you all week to accept?!?"  I don't actually think that's how God talks, but that's how I'd talk to me.  No, I would've given up on me by now! :)   At that point I could see His hand in it all along: the interview entirely in Spanish surprising even myself, the immediate offer the very first day I got here, how he'd led me to a special mass for those looking for work right after the interview, how I'd had no other offers even come close.  (Another teacher here told me that this was an amazing offer for a new teacher.)  So I had to ask myself  Self, why didn't you accept it right away?  Well, because it wasn't what I'd been expecting.  Ah, how often do I fall for that?  As if my imagination is greater than God's power.  As if my knowledge comes anywhere close to His wisdom.  As if!  "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29,11.