Ask God for wisdom when taking plunges in life

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I vividly remember the high diving board at the country club from my younger years and my buddy, Sammy. His mother, Billie, would drive us all out there in her big station wagon and spend the day there too with my Mom. A particular incident comes to mind. Billie was in the water, treading water, and encouraging Sammy to jump off of the high dive. Sammy did it. I don’t know if his courage came from Billie yelling at him from down below, his dad circling by on his golf cart, or the fact that to go back down the ladder would be nearly as scary as jumping in the water. When you climbed up that ladder, you felt like you were only a rung or two away from heaven and the bottom of the pool looked like it was a mile away.

High diving boards like it no longer exist. I bet insurance companies did away with them when our nation got the “lawsuit bug” and began suing business owners for such fun, yet risky things that could cause injury. I never liked the high dive out there. Yes, I plunged off of it a few times, but preferred the lower one. It had a lot of spring. Some kids could swan dive, back dive, and do double flip on it. I mastered a single flip and a simple dive. That was enough for me. The Zero candy bar I purchased in the pro shop might have melted too if I “dilly dallied” too long on the low diving board.

Life is full of choices that closely resemble jumping off that high diving board back in the day. I have only made a few big ones in my lifetime. I play life safely - often mingling and connecting other people together naturally with my “Sanguine” personality - so that they can make big jumps.

The first big move I made was when I turned in my letter of resignation at Agnew Middle School in Mesquite, Texas. My principal thought I was crazy, but completely supported me when I explained the desires of my heart. I loved my 7th graders, but needed more time with Banner and Brazos. The Lord nudged me to jump, and I did! I did not have another job lined up, but trusted God to provide me with something part-time and still in education. Well, the jump was worth it! I found a consulting job with Region 10 Education Service Center that allowed me to stay home more with Ban and Braz, have baby #3 and #4, and flexibility for the next few years. When we moved from Dallas to Fairfield, Region 10 simply matched me with teachers south of Dallas. I kept on hustling, but at a slower pace. The jump blessed my family abundantly.

Well, I took a plunge again last week! Five days before school began, I moved from the FES library to 5th grade social studies. FIS needed a teacher. A talented, book loving, staff member at FES mentioned to me last year that she adored the library. Her first assigned role at FES was on pause this fall because of virtual learning. She took over for me.

My jump took prayer, tears, endless hours of work to get ready, and support from everyone around me! God whispered to me to go where kids needed me the most this year.

I miss my little friends at FES, but know my last minute decision to go back into a classroom was what was best for kids this year and me too personally. James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.” I will end with that!