Amy’s Story of Failing Forward

One of our listener’s bravely shared her story with us about how she was able to overcome feeling stuck. When we asked her how she felt about us sharing her story she said:

Oh goodness… share away! Here recently I have struggled with patience and “God’s Timing”. This story always encourages me and in a way keeps me in check. I would love for it to do the same for someone else!

If we could all take a lesson from Amy & courageously share our stories, think about how much combined wisdom we could tap into! People like Amy show us that using our stories to give hope to others is immensely rewarding.

Here is Amy’s Story

Here is the best example I have of failing and God opening up a door for me
in my life.

This last semester I finished my certification program to be an Educational
Diagnostician; I knew I was done being a classroom teacher. I was commuting 2.5 hours a day and was ready to move on from that job. I told my principal that I was not going to apply for a diagnostician job (didn’t think I was ready), but would apply for every special education job close to where we lived. I was going to take SOMETHING but honestly wasn’t confident enough in my abilities to tackle a job as a diagnostician. I applied for over 10 special education jobs.

Applied for 10+ jobs and received 0 phone calls. ZERO.

One evening after dinner my husband and I were watching television and our door bell rang. It was a random woman handing out a city council flyer for the city of Gunter. We ended up talking to her for about 20 minutes.

I casually mentioned I was looking for a special education job and she
responded that she was a diagnostician for Grayson County… and they were
hiring new diagnosticians. She also mentioned the Grayson County office was literally a 30 second drive from our house.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She left our house and my husband encouraged my to apply. I told him I was afraid the job would be too difficult and didn’t think I was ready. I was very hesitant but ended up applying that night. I applied for the job on Sunday. I was called to set up the interview on Wednesday and…

I was interviewed and offered the job on Friday!

At the end of the interview my now boss offered me the job and said she thought my future was very bright in the field. I left that interview and cried in the parking lot for about 5 minutes. I cried tears of joy and relief.

Amy’s Reflection

This whole experience was crazy and unreal! It also built up my confidence and gave me new life. I spent the next few months studying and reading as much as I could to prepare for this new job.

Someone literally knocked on my front door and essentially got me a job, just when I thought all the doors in front of me were being closed.

God had an ultimate plan. This required me to take a leap of faith. I took a job I genuinely believed I was not ready to take.

Don’t get me wrong, the first year of this job was hard! It was way out of my comfort zone and it took a lot of commitment and time on my part. It wasn’t pretty. But at the end of the year our director actually told me I was one of the best 1st year diagnosticians she had seen in a long time.

I’m so thankful I took a leap of faith and trusted in His ultimate plan.

Love you guys!
Amy

Here’s what we had to say in response to this incredible story

WOW, Amy!! What an amazing story. Thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing this with us. God LITERALLY opened a door for you and you took a leap of faith. 

It’s funny how sometimes we still doubt that we’re not _____ enough. Good enough, smart enough, experienced enough. 

It’s so great that you let God be enough and just let Him do His thing. It’s so easy to say, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called…until you’re the one with the knot in your stomach and just have to trust. 

We are elated you followed that nudge. This is a true example of getting out of your comfort zone and trusting God. He can turn failures into futures. We are proud of you and are so grateful you shared your story with us. 

Amy, thank you for your amazing response, your vulnerability, & your willingness to help others. Thanks for helping leave the world better than you found it.