Photo taken at Seal Bay Conservation Park on Kangaroo Island
I've finally gone and done it. Under the encouragement of my best friend cum husband, and catalysed by a couple of life-changing events, I've left my job. I think this has been one of the most important decisions I've had to make in my life, second to deciding to marry Ed, which of course was not a difficult one.
I genuinely enjoyed the work I did. It wasn't the drafting of submissions or putting together powerpoint presentations that kept me going. Neither was it attending meetings or conferences. I realised over the three postings and seven and a half years (I think. I've lost count.) that I get most of my energy and satisfaction from serving the people who work around and alongside me. I started out thinking the area of work I was in mattered for my personal job satisfaction. Maybe it does, in so far as there are definitely certain issues I feel more for and therefore would speak about with more passion and enthusiasm. Perhaps the realisation that the area of work didn't matter as much as my attitude to my job and the people I worked with, gave me some confidence that I would be able to find a place similarly fulfilling if I wanted to. Or at least, I could return to my old workplace ;)
Before returning to the workforce though, again under the encouragement of Ed, we are taking a long break to reflect and more importantly, heal. Hence the photo above of the unexpectedly beautiful landscape that confronted us when we were visiting the Seal Bay Conservation Park. I'm not sure I really fully got over the pain of the losses, and I'm not sure I ever will. But I don't think there is a better reminder of God's love and power than the things Ed and I have seen, heard, tasted or felt in the past one and a half months touring Australia. I've always told myself, and am occasionally reminded by Ed, to leave things in His hands and to trust in His will. I think the past one and a half months have helped me be more committed to that, and I find myself praying more and more, for His will to be done.
For it if were not for the losses, I may not have left my job. I wouldn't be in Australia now, with the luxury of time to contemplate the endless options for our future. I really have much to be thankful for, and to look forward to. What a great reminder.
