Leaping in the Leap Year

"Good-bye fear, you're not welcomed here" - Jonathan Nelson

Leap Year- 2016

While riding home from my fairly new job, in a fairly new city, I found myself humming this song. In that moment I realized how well those words related to my year, this season in my life, and even my current mood. If you read my previous post "He Just Couldn't Trust You Yet" , then you're familiar with me discussing God trusting me in this season. Well, after that post things got a lot more interesting for me. Story time!

The Idea

I'm sitting in the cafeteria of my job, a Fortune 500 company with great benefits, a rich history, and all the stability that I ever dreamed of for a first job coming out of college. I usually went home or ate at my desk but this day was different. This is the day I was meeting with one of my good friends to discuss everything that'd been going on lately. We caught up on the holidays, my birthday trip, men and then finally church. I told her that my pastor had extended and invitation to follow him and his family to a new city and church. Of course I thought he was crazy or kidding lol, but as my pastor I trusted him. So I told my friend and sat back expecting the same reaction I had but instead she said, "This is perfect". Now I'm thinking well, she's nuts too! So as I sat with confusion on my face, she quickly reminded me of everything I'd been going through and praying for; a change at work, a new and active city, opportunities to grow in ministry, etc. Then she said something that really stuck out, she said, "Why is it that people pray for things and then when they get it they question if it's God?” She was right, it was exactly what I prayed for. Shortly after that conversation with my friend I had two more very specific conversations with God. First, I asked him for confirmation. I asked that if this was truly what he wanted from me that he'd show me the clear signs. Second, I promised him that if I received that confirmation then I would do everything in my power to make it happen. And guess what? He did, so I did.

The Test

I began doing research on the city and possible places to work. A few weeks later I was called for an interview in the exact city I prayed about! Crazy thing is, I never applied for it. As a matter of fact, the first time I filled out an application was after I accepted the offer. But wait; now I'm getting ahead of myself... we will get to that part soon.

In the midst of me keeping my promises to God I really began to battle with a lot mentally and spiritually. Is this God? Is this really what he wants for me or am I just looking for a way out? I started to think of all the financial decisions I'd have to make, the people I'd leave behind, the stability I always wanted. It was pretty overwhelming. And then one day while reading a plan in the bible app I ran across a question that asked "If you could make it to heaven and God wasn't there, would you still want to go?” That's when it hit me, I don't want anything if God isn't in it but I want EVERYTHING that he has for me. You see, I read this passage before I ever got a call from that job and that day I made up in my mind that if this is what God wanted then everything else would work itself out. That's right, I was willing to move across the country with no job, no true understanding of what I'd actually be doing once I made it but just a promise from God that it would all be okay.

The Leap

As I'm unpacking my suitcase from my interview I realize wow, this is real, this could actually be happening. In the back of my head I'm really thinking wow, it's a great opportunity but I don't know many people there, they can't pay what I asked, and they don't offer any relocation. Bummer right? But then I decided to get a pen and write down all those confirmations that'd I'd previously received from God...

1.I'd be back in the South

2. I'd be driving distance from my mom, 2hrs away from aunts and uncle

3. The customer base for the business ideas I have existed

4. There's plenty of work to be done in the community and churches

5. My pastor is there

6. YOU LIVE IN NEBRASKA, FLORIDA IS SO MUCH WARMER

Lol yep, went just like that. Then I get a phone call, the HR rep called to extend my offer (get your shouting shoes ready), although they could not pay my relocation fees they would match what I was currently making! Mind you, this is being told to a girl who'd decided in her heart that she'd go WITHOUT a job and immediately all those worries had been snatched away. I get excited even writing this because that's how good God is. I prayed on it more and discussed with my family and the more I told them the happier I got. This opportunity would be filled with many challenges but covered by a faithful God and amazing rewards!

Reflection

It's now six months since my move. Everything hasn't been perfect but God's kept his promise all the while. He's given me everything I've asked from him and more. Is this move permanent? Who knows, but is it the leap of faith I needed? Definitely so. You see I'm not writing this post to simply share my story but to also encourage someone. In life, I realized that before this I'd never truly walked by faith. I've always had a back up plan. But to see how God could take my fear but willingness and bless me anyway meant so much to me. It taught me to truly trust him with all things. My heart, my finances, my family, my job, my home, everything. In this last six months I've been able to leave a "for sure" job, some "always be there" friends/relationships, and I've still been okay. Heck I even left a free blog host to start this website lol.

I know the leap year is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean your courage has to. Continue to leap into your faith. Leap into the hands of God and all that he has for you. Trust that if you are faithful, he will honor that.

It's not fact or fiction, just my opinion. -Kandi