of general Bible studies. There were college options a few hours away from where we lived, but my sense of adventure and desire for independence led me to choose a college two provinces away from our home in Saskatchewan.
I picked a college in Peterborough, Ontario. The reason my parents allowed this was because my mom’s sister lived in Peterborough. My aunt had been an elementary teacher in the Peterborough School District. Her missionary friend and roommate taught at the college. One of my favourite courses at the college was the course my aunt’s friend instructed on Christian education. I sang in the college ensemble that travelled most weekends, singing in churches all around Ontario and Quebec. The weekend that I loved above all others was the weekend I was billeted with a French-speaking family. I used my high school French to the peak of my learnings but craved to communicate better with them.
French had been my favourite subject and my highest mark all through high school. My French teacher told us a few stories about his sideline work as a translator for the provincial courts in our city. Those stories made a huge impression on me. The naive career dream of becoming a translator formed in my mind.
The next fall, I enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, despite my parents’ opinions. I was going to major in linguistics and continue taking French classes but also study German and Spanish at the same time. I had lofty dreams of knowing many languages and becoming a translator.
My first year of university was fraught with frustrations and disappointments. My linguistics class was a snoozefest, boring me to tears. Any future classes in this career field would involve the same professor. My French marks were excellent, but all other marks were barely average. Just before reading week, I hit an all-time low. My studies seemed pointless and my career track impossible.
What was I thinking? A translator!? What a ridiculous career plan. I should have listened to my parents. They were right.
I thought about packing it in and going home to find a job like my dad had wanted me to do from the start. I decided to pray about what I should do with my life.
Dear Lord, Your word says that You have a plan for our lives. You said in Jeremiah 29:11, You have “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” But I don’t feel much hope right now, Lord. You know that I love French and just want to keep learning it. I thought a translator job would be cool, Lord, but I can see that it’s not going to work for me. I don’t want to quit and go home, but I can’t keep taking classes for nothing and I’m running out of money. What should I do, Lord? Please give me some career direction. Amen.
The career path of a teacher was not my first choice at the time, but by accident I discovered that if I transferred to the faculty of education with a French major, I would be eligible for a scholarship of two thousand dollars each year of my studies. I could continue studying French, and my dad would be relieved about the financial help I would be getting. This was a win-win, an obvious decision.
The next three years of studies in education were more satisfying than I expected. I engaged wholeheartedly in all of my classes, especially my French methodology class. My prof for this course was a delight, demonstrating useful instructional methods for our future teaching in the most fun-loving, enthusiastic manner. She was a true role model. My practicum experiences were stressful, but I received many positive affirmations about my ability to teach. My supervising teacher in Radisson Secondary School drafted a complimentary report about me that I value today, especially since he said that my French was that of a “frog,” a native French speaker.
I was content to the core at my convocation, accepting proof of my bachelor of education with a major in French and a minor in English. The most rewarding part of the convocation, however, was that my mom and my dad decided to attend. My dad was so proud of me, he got emotional. I couldn’t recall ever seeing my dad cry before. This unexpected reaction from him made me realize the significance of my accomplishment. I was the first in our family to receive a university degree.
Was it God who led me to finding out about the scholarship for French teachers?
I believe that God answered my simple prayer for career guidance. He knew, so much better than I did, just how well-suited I was for a career as an educator. I have heard the testimonies of others who have experienced divine guidance to their profession. It looked like I had received heavenly nudges towards a career choice that was perfectly suited for me.
Your Story:
Goals and Ambitions
Thinking Back
• What were the career goals and ambitions that you had in your early life?
• Who or what created an impression on you to develop those ambitions?
Thinking Inward
• What aspect of your career has been the most satisfying or fulfilling for you? Can you recall a peak moment of satisfaction and identify why it was a highlight?
• What has been the most challenging or frustrating? Can you identify the cause of the frustration?
Thinking Outward
• Were there specific people or events that influenced your career goals, causing you to see them differently?
• Has a co-worker or boss commented on your work skills or abilities in a positive or negative way, creating a lasting impression on you?
Thinking Forward
• What aspects of your career(s) are you the most grateful for today? Have you acquired skills or abilities that you can use in your future?
• Do you have goals, dreams, or ambitions that you are seeking for your future?
Write a Prayer: Commit your career questions and desires to God and ask for His guidance today.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know us so well. You created us with unique talents and abilities that line up with Your purposes for our lives. You are fully aware of people in our lives who have helped or hindered us from experiencing clear direction or satisfaction in our careers. I lift up those words from people in our lives to You, Lord, and ask You to guide us to the truth. Help us to see Your perspective on our lives. Continue leading us, Lord, through our goals and dreams, and direct us to the next thing You have planned for us to do.
In Your name, amen.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
Chapter 3
Smitten
I had no idea that this ordinary Sunday would turn out to be a life-altering day. I was sitting in the back row of a large church next to a whole row of young men I had never met. My friend from choir had led me to this seat, then left abruptly. I sat there alone, feeling awkward and out of place. The guy sitting next to me was equally uncomfortable, shifting his feet back and forth nervously. It was hard to ignore his restless feet since they were huge, size 12 or larger, I thought, and were not at all minimized in tan-coloured boots with rounded toes and chunk heels.
What is this guy’s problem? His tension is making mine worse.
It
