Time to Switch!

 Transitions are all around us. Transitions are changes from one phase or state to another. Changes happen in our communities, churches, schools and colleges, personal lives and the world around us. Changes are not always comfortable. Some changes we see coming, while others are very unexpected. In our lives, we see the human development of a baby to a toddler to school-age to pre-teen to teen to adulthood. At each level, something new is required as our responsibilities change. For example, a toddler will not be expected to do what a teenager does. When students reach a certain age in school, they begin to switch (or change) classes. They don’t stay in the same classroom all day, but they have to move to different classrooms. With the transition comes adjustments and learning new habits and routines. As a 6^th grade English teacher, I see firsthand how students transition to different classes in person. I also have seen the effect of the online learning since the pandemic. It has been a big adjustment for students and teachers to go from virtual to in-person! What I haven’t shared with you yet is that this is my first year as a homeroom teacher teaching a core subject. I love it and am adjusting all the time! I’m grateful for all the experiences leading up to now because they taught me flexibility. I’ve had to adjust to being responsible for more students, more paperwork, more meetings to attend, and more emails. I went from working with a smaller group of students in specialized Reading instruction to teaching a whole grade level English. Whew! A transition indeed! Let’s also not forget a pandemic is still going on. I am learning so much and am growing through everything. I’m thankful for the knowledge I can share and I hope it is encouraging! The transition in my career was expected as I was looking for a classroom teaching position after getting my Master’s degree last year. Praise God for that 👏! In addition to my career transition, there’s been the transition in my relationships. God knows who and what I need in this season as far as friendships. When it comes to dating, I only want the best and not settle out of desperation or loneliness for just any guy. I’ve been praying that God remove anyone out of my life that is not His best for me. I’m also learning not to assume anything, but ask questions and communicate about everything, whether big or small. I have been disappointed with that and assumed things I shouldn’t have in the past, but I learned my lesson there. It’s a transition period and I’m learning to be okay with it. There are days I wonder what is going on in the dating scene, but I know God sees what’s ahead. I’ve definitely come a long way and continue to grow in Him in this area 💗. Then, in 2020 (January 18^th, 2020 to be exact), I had one of the biggest transitions of my life. It was a transition that was unexpected. It was the day I transitioned to being a daughter who had both parents pass away. My Dad passed away in April 2002 and my Mom passed away on January 18, 2020. It’s a transition that’s still hard to believe. My brother and I have had to adjust in the household without our parents. We are growing and being blessed! I have to adjust sitting in the living room and not seeing them sitting there (especially Momma laid back in the recliner or in her favorite spot on the couch and them not sitting at their spots at the dining room table!). I’ve had to adjust to going to church and Momma not being by my side there. Every now and then, I peep down at the seat she liked to sit on in the middle near the aisle. I do go to church with one of my aunts and I enjoy our aunt- niece time together with that 💖! I’ve had to adjust not being able to share everything going on with my parents. But I’m grateful for what I did share with them and those God has currently placed in my life I can share with. You all know who you are and you are the best! So you know how I said earlier that 6^th grade students switch classes? Well, that was another big adjustment for me: the schedule when they switched. There are hardly any bells to indicate when our core classes is over. You just have to memorize the time. At the beginning of the year, I missed it a lot and would go over a few minutes! I would hear the students in the hallway and that helped me remember it was time to switch. I have the time down now 😀. I have to teach while also being mindful of the time and when it’s time to switch. In life, we have to be sensitive to God’s leading when it’s time to switch. We may not think we’re ready, but God has been preparing us for the moment whether we realize it or not. I was being prepared to be the English teacher I am now. I was being prepared to navigate life without my parents. I was being prepared for this single season I’m currently in. I am being prepared for my future marriage as I believe there is a God-sent man who will love and appreciate me for me. Through all our transitions, we must remember that God never changes (Malachi 3:6) and let Him lead in all things (Psalms 32:8) 💕. Life will always be full of transitions. The key is to learn, embrace and grow with each one. Then when it’s time to switch, let’s keep growing and going!