I am an ambitious woman. It has taken me well over 30 years to truly realise this.
I have always mentioned being ambitious as one of my strengths on my CV. I have spoken about my ambition in interviews, but I have never truly witnessed my ambition in action. In the past it just seemed like the correct thing to say in order to effectively sell myself within the world of work.
Now, with the beauty of age and experience I can see for myself exactly what it is that makes me ambitious.
Take my career for instance. I’ve worked in various corporate roles over the years with a focus and love of marketing. I haven’t necessarily chased huge salaries and they certainly haven’t chased me, but I’ve plodded along faithfully seeking to build a secure life for myself.
When my children came along in quick succession, I took time out to raise them, this was especially true when my son came along. Fortunately, and looking back now it was indeed an answer to prayer, I was made redundant from my job, so the decision was made for me to stay at home and nurture my bubba’s and I’m thankful I was given the opportunity. I got to spend full, quality time with all three of my children for over two years.
Being at home with them made me realise that although I enjoyed being a stay at home Mum and being there for my children, The Lord had gifted me with qualities and talents that would enable me to help provide for my growing family and demonstrate to them that we have to work for the life that we want to live, especially if your circumstances dictate that two incomes would provide more stability than one.
I pondered these sentiments for many months, but didn’t make the decision to actually step out until I entered into the world of single motherhood. Because I was now truly on my own and as my children were older, massive childcare costs were no longer a contributing factor for my decision to stay at home. I had to stand fully on my own two feet and rebuild a life for my children and I. We moved back home with my wonderful parents who welcomed us with open arms and I set about piecing my life back together.
I began applying for voluntary work on the advice of my little sister and this proved invaluable. I was nervous about re-entering the world of work. I often thought to myself who would want to employ a single mother of three children who at the time were six years and under? But as we know friends the devil is a LIAR! So often we create barriers to our own success by conjuring up a wealth of ridiculous falsehoods which prevent us from claiming God’s best for our lives. I do it all the time and it is madness.
As children of God we must always, always, ALWAYS look to the word of God to tell us who we are.
The Bible CLEARLY says:
‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13
‘Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world’ 1 John 4:4
‘For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.’ 2Timothy 1:7
It is time, in fact it has ALWAYS been time to speak the word of God over our lives and into our situations. It’s time to renew our minds, walk in our anointing and live the full lives God has placed out before us. Hallelujah!
So I applied for a voluntary position at a Christian organisation and got it! My confidence, which was at an all time low, due to the end of my relationship and my broken heart was given a much needed BOOST! Praise God. It was whilst I was volunteering I came across a marketing position that was being advertised at this same organisation. I applied and a few weeks later I got called to an interview. Glory!
I was successful in the first round and was asked to compile a presentation for the second round. I was nervous, but quietly confident. Jehovah was with me. I presented to the Marketing Director, Marketing Manager and HR Director. I was pleased with my efforts and it seemed they were too. A few days later I got an email informing me I had got the job! Thank You Jesus!
My salary was the best I’ve ever earned and to top it all off it was within a organisation which aimed to glorify King Jesus and make His name known. Each morning we had meetings led by the Executive Board which began with a daily devotional and ended in prayer. I was amazed at what God was doing in my life.
Looking back maybe it was too much, too soon. I had to depend a lot on my Father, who is retired to look after my youngest, and watch my eldest two for the few hours between after school club and me getting home from work. My children’s father helped as much as he could, but as he had new family responsibilities and a job of his own to maintain, his assistance was of course limited.
Work colleagues would ask how I was able to work full time in a demanding role and still be able to raise three small children. I wondered about this myself, but I was convinced that it was the grace of God that was pulling me through. And it was.
That was until I got sick. Really sick……
…..Stay tuned for the next instalment.