God's other plans

I haven't really talked about this yet.
There are lots of reasons for that.

But, here we go...

I got a new assignment at work a few weeks ago.
That's a story in and of itself, I suppose.
Suffice it to say, it's not anything I sought or aspired to.
I'm at a point in my life where title and position in "Corporate America" mean far less to me than "title and position" in a family would.

But...
This is my life right now and I love so very much about it.
Now I've been given a pretty incredible opportunity and I am truly grateful.
(Oh, and I love what I'm doing. I really really do.)

Anyway...
A colleague was at home one morning with his youngest girl who was begging him to stay home and play one game with her. He explained he had to get to work.

"But, just call your boss, Daddy. Tell him you have to stay home and play a game with me. Tell him. He will understand."

This dad decided to take the opportunity to share with his daughter a little something about his new boss.

"I have to go to work but you want to know something? My boss isn't a 'he', my boss is a 'she'."
He said his daughter's eyes got really big and said, "Your boss is a SHE? I didn't know bosses could be a SHE!"

He said he kind of loved being able to tell his daughter a boss CAN be a "she".

Now...I certainly didn't attempt to break any "glass ceilings" or barriers when I was a little girl. My current life was not planned for or created through a series of goals. But, I also never knew the life I've lived was really an option. I didn't really see it through other women around me.

I didn't remember knowing women who graduated from college
or served missions
or had careers
or went to grad school.

And I think that might have been one of the reasons I spent so long feeling a bit unsettled about my life path. Not only did I not really choose it, but I also didn't know if it was really "okay" to be doing.

When I talk to teenage girls, I feel passionately about making sure they know God has a plan for them. I know He does. I KNOW HE DOES. And I try to emphasize that that plan could include marriage and motherhood and a mission and college (emphasis on the "marriage and motherhood"). I don't really talk about my work or feel the need to encourage them to pursue professional interests...I don't want them to think my life is "cool" or something to aspire to. I want them to know that the "work" their moms are doing is much more important.

Because I really feel it is.

But, I also know the realities are that some of them *might* find themselves on a path they didn't plan on either. And they need to know it's okay.

Bosses can be she's.
And it doesn't mean "she" didn't want or work for other worthy goals.
It doesn't mean she put a career ahead of things her heart desires most.
It just might mean that God had other plans for her.

I know, because He's had other plans [for now] for me.

And I have learned He can use those other plans as part of His master plan.
For each of our lives.

THAT I know is true because I've long since trusted Him with mine.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.


PS...When this new opportunity was presented to me, I wondered how it would look...you know...to potential suitors...and I felt the need to find that out. I asked a real live member of the available male species who calmed my fears about it. And then Jim, Tammy's husband, settled it all when he called me to say:
"Laurel, it took me seven months to meet, date, court and marry Tammy. If she had been a Vice President, it would have taken me three. Men aren't stupid. Congratulations."

(That is Classic Jim. Man, I love that guy.)