Faithful in the Uncertain

Deuteronomy 31:8 – And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.

Over the past 2 years, I have been continually reminded of God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life. I signed a contract to teach in Mexico about 3 years ago around Mother’s Day, and I had no idea what it was going to be like. I had never traveled out of the country and only had a Psychology degree and experience as a teacher assistant. However, I knew wholeheartedly that Puerto Escondido was where God wanted me to serve Him.

Moving to a foreign country and being a 1st-year teacher definitely had its challenges, however, I am so grateful for each and every one of them. I truly believe that God used that time to refine me and draw me closer to Himself. Over the past school year, God has slowly been showing me the good things He has for me from all the hard times my 1^st year.

When I began teaching 6^th grade my 1^st year, I felt so overwhelmed by all the responsibilities of a teacher, especially since I didn’t have an education degree. I had 15 students between the ages of 11-14, who were all looking to me for answers. I had no idea how time-consuming, physically and emotionally wearing, and refining it would be to become a teacher, specifically to that age group. I remember wondering on several occasions that year if I had made a mistake by moving to Mexico to teach because I felt so inadequate in my new role.

However, God reminded me that He had a purpose for bringing me there and to trust Him, even when it seemed impossible to continue. Then God showed me such grace in being able to return to being a teacher assistant, like I was before moving to Mexico, still in Puerto Escondido even though I had signed on to be a teacher for 2 years. I felt so blessed and thankful for God’s amazing demonstration of love in my life after feeling so confused and uncertain.

So after finishing my 1^st and only year of being a lead teacher, I was able to start fresh the next year as a full-time teacher’s assistant in the 3^rd and 4th-grade classrooms, which gave me a new perspective on teaching and working with older students. Then, about 6 months later, God placed a burden on my heart to fill a study hall teacher position at the middle school. It was the 1^st time working with middle school students again after my difficult 1^st year, but I prayed about it and had confidence that God still had a purpose for me as a teacher. During the last 2 years, God has provided many other opportunities for me to teach and tutor at the middle school. I have really enjoyed getting to know the middle school students better, some of whom I taught a few years ago and some new ones, and also their families.

I am so thankful to see how God has used that time of struggle to show me His faithfulness. God never fails to show us His grace and love to us, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Even in very challenging times in our lives God is still with us and brings good things from it. When life seems uncertain all we need to do is lay our burdens at Jesus’ feet. God cares about even the smallest things in our lives, therefore we don’t need to fear.