First of all, I
love handwriting fonts. If I could always write in one, I would,
because they just feel more personal. And it makes me feel like I'm
writing a letter to a friend. Which I sort of am, just in a very
public way.
* * * * *
So most of you
know that I work for a really incredible company. The perks are
through the roof, and I couldn't be more well taken care of. Our
clients are amazing, my team is so supportive, and I get to work
alongside some of the best of the best in the marketing automation
industry.
But when I
first started, it was a hard transition. Going from a small
non-profit to a rapidly growing software company was a huge jump. The
job responsibilities, work environment, office space, and team were
all completely different. My job here has always felt right and good,
it has just been a completely different change of pace.
And as its gone
on, I feel like the Lord has slowly revealed pieces to me about why
I'm here. I know the work I do is good, and I'm a valuable member of
our team, but as always, I want to find the Lord's heart here. What
is His goal for us, and how can I be a part of it? At one point I
felt so overwhelmed with the transition that I wasn't even sure I
wanted to pray that prayer, or ask for what His heart was. But I got
there. And the Lord was so patient to let me step into that place as
slowly as I needed to.
And every few
weeks I feel like another layer of perspective has been given to me.
One day I found
an article on corporate culture and sent it over to our 'Culture
Czar' (or in layman's terms, Office Manager). And that started a
dialog about things that are important to me in the workplace, and I
remember mentioning financial assistance for adoption. I knew that
that was something I would do regardless of being financially
supported by my employer, but why not mention it? And all that did
was start a dialog between her and I. And her heart to also adopt, as
she lived in Africa for several years, met her husband over there,
and is really passionate about adopting from that same country to
keep it as part of their history. So she mentioned checking into what
other companies offer, which at the time was awesome.
Throughout that
next week/weekend I felt like God was telling me that some of the
reasons I am here, have not yet been set into motion. The adoption
assistance being my first example of something that is not yet here
or a part of our corporate culture, but it's coming. And its the
cloud the size of a man's fist on the horizon.
Several weeks
later our maternity plan changed, and so did our work-from-home
policy. Both of which make it so much easier to still be a part of
this company, yet pursue a family without the threat of losing my job
or going unpaid for any amount of time. Having a family is so much a
part of my heart right now that those are things that feel like
kisses from heaven to me. I love feeling like I am supported as a
person, not just as an employee.
Yesterday we
had a new girl start who will be in charge of community outreach
programs and volunteer opportunities for our company. I've heard
about this position for awhile, but just figured it would be Habitat
for Humanity type projects each quarter or runs for causes on the
weekends. Little did I know, this girl was coming to us from Land of
a Thousand Hills. Having managed coffee projects all over the world,
and having worked closely with the 410 Bridge for years. So not only
is she a believer, but her heart is missions. And part of her job
description is to plan an international TRIP for us to go on to
serve. The trip can't be religiously based, but there are some
amazing alternatives that we have that we're hoping to explore (Land
of a Thousand Hills coffee projects being one). I shared with her a
little bit of my experience working for 410 and managing all trips to
Haiti, and she casually mentioned me helping lead a team for Pardot
in the future.
I'm sorry...
WHAT!? An international service trip, through my secular company, that
I get to be a part of? Are you kidding? This is incredible!
So there's
another layer down, and it happens to line up so perfectly with my heart.
Which is funny because I told Patrick I feel like I'm not really
dreaming right now. I am happy with where I'm at and what I'm doing,
yet haven't been provoked to keep dreaming. To keep
pursuing the things of God. And to continually make the choice to
intentionally be a part of something bigger than myself. And as if
the Lord heard that uttering, Karen from Land of a Thousand Hills
stepped into my life.
I have no idea
where this will lead or if it will amount to anything, but God has
continually shown himself faithful throughout my time here. And I
have full confidence that there is still more up His sleeve to show
me. I am just so blessed to work for such an amazing company, and I
pray that you too will find this level of satisfaction in your stage
of life. Even if you never think that its possible, I promise you
that it is. Just keep looking for God's heart, and be ready to find
it in the most unlikely of places.
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