“You know what you need?” My friend, Jennifer said as I sat commiserating at her shop, Jennika’s, last night. “You need to hang a shingle.”
And there it was – peace. I was going through and explaining the different paths that were before me and yet how my heart was still unsettled. I could teach, I could go back to school, or I could continue to work on my patience and pray that these doors God is opening will help me to get the official 501 c3 status that I’ve been waiting on for over a year now (yes the IRS scandal thank you…) will come through and I can finally receive the status which opens doors to funding. Finally, with the funding I can really begin to work on the mission and growth of Hopeful Hearts.
To ‘hang a shingle’ which means to set up shop, have an actual place to call and office where I could set appointments to meet with people instead of meeting at my home or at the church parking lot and I could have rape survivor support groups and educational seminars for those who are family of those abused or whatever God directs me to do. There is so much more that could be done if I could ‘hang a shingle’. It all made sense because my main issue is I don’t feel like I can explain what I ‘do’. Yes, I work with other programs and yes, I meet with people and work with them over the phone, etc. but this would give me more purpose.
Suddenly, the melancholy I felt from walking in the stormy seas holding onto Christ’s hand suddenly fell away and I felt like I knew that peace could be possible – trust. Yes, it makes sense, trust.
Of course by the end of the night I had another friend going through the aspect of the possible teaching opportunity and convincing me it wouldn’t hurt to at least inquire and look into it. But even still when I consider it I feel unrest and not settled…so I’m not sure…
The school thing, well that can come at any time and at any pace. But I’m not one to enjoy school and though I made it through my BA and my MFA I can’t say I am thrilled at the thought of another dissertation and, oh, the papers….ugh.
But I like the ‘hang a shingle’…so we’ll see. We’ll see what happens. 🙂
I think what is most important is the fact that God is continually showing up through my friends and I am blessed to have friends willing to take the challenge and be forthright and honest. I love it and I love them!
How can you show up for a friend today?
Blessings
Shannon