Change is Coming

Well, the word is out.  I've resigned from my position of Executive Director at Living Water.  It's such a bittersweet moment.  When I began the position, I prayed that I'd never become cynical as I helped the less fortunate and that I'd know when it was time to step down.  I knew it would be easy to become burned-out in this job and I wanted to give it my best as long as I was there.  I clearly believe God told me to hire Selena McClellan two years ago and to "get her trained."  I trained her for a year.  But then last year, I told her that I was going to train her with purpose for the next year....the purpose of being able to lead the ministry.  Of course, I knew the board would have the final decision, but I felt it was my duty to have someone completely trained to run the ministry in my absence.  So I did.  By August of this year, I knew it was time.  Things were just coming to a point that I knew it was time to let Selena take the reigns.  In October, I advised my board that I was resigning.  I asked them to consider Selena for the position.  And then the wheels began to turn.  Selena was hired and was given the freedom to hire someone to take her position.  I wanted to help Selena through the holiday seasons (our busiest time) and teach her what I knew.  So my official last day will be December 31, 2012.  Selena will begin as Executive Director January 1, 2013.

There are so many emotions that accompany this transition in my life.  I'm excited.  I'm scared.  I'm anxious but anticipating.  I told some friends that I most look forward to sleeping in a few mornings!  I dread adjusting to a new home budget....but at the same time, I'm excited!  See?  I told you my emotions are all over the place.  I'm going to miss this ministry.  I look back and see just how God has grown me.  I think the most important thing that happened along the way was that I became comfortable with who I am.  And...I was privileged to lead hundreds of people to the Lord in the past 5.5 years...and got comfortable doing it.  That's amazing!!  I've grown to love the extraordinary volunteers and our clients.  I know that with any crisis or calamity, I could be exactly where our clients are.

I know I'm going to feel lost for awhile.  Or maybe not.  Before I began working at Living Water, I was ready to get outside of the 4 walls of the church and be around lost people so I could share my faith.  That happened.  And now I'm anxious to get back inside the 4 walls of the church and minister to so many hurting people who need encouragement and love.  Funny how God does that.  I want to work alongside my husband and minister.  I just want to love on some people.  I want to invite people who go to Living Water to become involved in my church!

Please pray for me.  I've already started grieving the loss of this ministry.  But I'm ecstatic over the new ministry in front of me.  I think for the first time in my life, I'm not trying to twist God's arm.  I'm taking each day as it comes and praising Him that He allows me to be involved at all.  I know He's already got my future carved out.  And I can trust Him.  Change is coming...but I'm learning to embrace change.