Part two: … than we can ask or imagine.

With my youngest son safely at senior school, I was looking to get back into part time work that would fit in with family life.

I heard that a nearby church school might be looking for midday supervisors and, as it turned out, an old acquaintance was the chair of governors. I emailed her to ask and she replied yes, ring the secretary to arrange a chat with the head teacher.

So I rang, to find that the head teacher was very busy as it was the week before the Easter holidays and she may not be able to see me for quite a while. Feeling bold, I said, “Is she busy now? I’m free.” As it turned out, she wasn’t, so I went and had a quick tour of the school, then went to her office for a chat.

It didn’t really go quite how I expected. I was being asked a lot of questions about previous experience, qualifications, interests etc – rather more than would be expected for someone supervising lunches – and she was making lots of notes! After half an hour I had been interviewed and offered a position that didn’t yet exist, as a one-to-one teaching assistant to a young boy with special needs who had just received a Statement! Wow! I was not expecting that, but obviously God was speaking to this Christian lady – and she was listening!

We didn’t know when this job would start exactly, but we agreed to continue to pray about it and speak again in due course. After several weeks, I was officially offered the position and started at the beginning of the next school year.

I’m not going to say it was easy! In at the deep end was an understatement, but I learned, out of necessity, to rely on the Lord every day for inspiration and guidance and we had some amazing moments as my young pupil and I found new ways of learning. I felt as though I’d waited my whole life for this opportunity and it was the most fulfilling experience I’ve ever had in a job of work!

Every little achievement made me as proud as if he’d been my own son. When he moved on to his next school I was happy and sad all at the same time, but I knew the season was coming to an end and I had been there just for him, because God has a plan for his life too and I was honoured to be a small part of it.

I think what I’ve been trying to say, is that God really can do immeasurably more than all we can ask OR imagine! When we submit to his will, the yoke is easy and the burden is light. We find unimaginable joy in what seemed impossible, unattainable, way beyond us. But he KNOWS us, better than we know ourselves! I am so very grateful for what he’s given me in my life; the people, the experiences (both easy and difficult) because he’s shown me that, no matter what, he is faithful and I am loved – immeasurably!