Things Always Look Different from the Mountaintops

I can't even explain how surreal I feel right now.

Three days before I graduated, I had an interview at a middle school. It was my first interview ever, and I thought I did pretty well. I loved interacting with my potential colleagues, and I felt pretty good after I left. I graduated, returned home, and vegged for a while.

No call came. Upset but not defeated, I prepared myself for other job opportunities, which actually meant trying to find application paperwork and then sitting around waiting for my teaching certificate to be processed.

Then the call. "We have one more interview, but we wanted you to know that you're in the top two. If you're still interested--" Of course I was. I told him that my parents and I had been discussing some logistical things, but I was definitely still interested. My father told me he was certain this principal would offer me the position, so I hoped, but I kept the thought in mind that I could still walk out of this jobless.

Then the principal called again with the final answer: "We decided to go with the other applicant."

Oh. Heartbroken, I listened to him commend me for my excellent interview and abilities, heard him say any school would be lucky to have me. He mentioned a possible second opening, but he couldn't be sure. If I didn't have set plans for the year after, he would definitely call me again.

Heavy-hearted, I told my father, we grieved (he was even more emotionally invested than I was, I think, hahaha), and then we jumped into an action plan for my teaching job here at home.

Until today.

When another phone call came.

I panicked, daring to hope. The second position...? I answered with my typical, "Yellow?" which made the principal chuckle (I'd like to think I'm at least as amusing as a new puppy to him). He told me about the second position opening up. "So, is this, like, how I officially accept? Because I would totally officially accept right now if this is the official thing."

It was. "The school board will be contacting you soon..."

God, I cannot even begin to tell You how thrilled I am. Thank You. Thank You that even when You scare me or disappoint me by shutting one door, You always open another one. Thank You for speaking through others when I am anxious and stressed and worried. Thank You for providing peace and prosperity.

Thank You that even in the midst of pain and heartache when a baby brother dies a tragic death, You are there to bring comfort. You are the Healer of hearts and souls and relationships, and You have a plan. Thank You for giving us the chance that we will all meet our beloveds once again. Thank You for death, because without it, we cannot have life. Thank You that one day balances such as those between life and death can be cast aside when we celebrate new adventures with You, when we reunite our souls with Yours. Thank You that despite our curse, we can find healing and redemption and life anew. Thank You. Continue to bring Your peace and Your healing to us all, especially in these times of anxiety and tragedy and grief.