There's a still, small voice that speaks to us when we least expect it—a whisper of wisdom, a nudge in the right direction. That voice was God telling me it was time to leave the classroom. But I didn't listen. I wasn't ready to let go of the career I loved, the students who depended on me, and the identity I had built as a special education teacher. I didn't realize that I was setting myself up for a lesson in the harshest way possible by ignoring that voice.
Being a special education teacher was more than a job for me; it was a calling. I felt a deep sense of purpose in working with students who needed extra support, guiding them through challenges that others might not understand. Every day was a new opportunity to make a difference in a child's life, and that's what kept me going, even when the work was hard, even when the emotional toll was heavy. 💪🏽
But God knew what I didn't. He knew that I was wearing myself down, that the burden was becoming too much to bear, and that my heart was growing weary. He knew I was giving too much of myself, leaving little room for my well-being. I had moments when I felt that something wasn't right, that maybe it was time to step away, but I brushed those feelings aside. I told myself that my students needed me, that walking away would be selfish, and that I was strong enough to handle anything. 😔
Then came the day when everything changed. I was attacked by a student—a moment of violence that shook me to my core. The physical pain was fleeting, but the emotional and spiritual wounds were deep. In that moment, I realized that I had been "hurt out"—pushed to a breaking point I never thought I would reach. The warning signs had been there, the gentle whisper from God telling me to leave, to take care of myself, but I hadn't listened. And now, I was facing the consequences of that choice. 💥💔
Looking back, I see how God had been guiding me all along. He had placed those feelings of unease in my heart for a reason. He was trying to protect me, to steer me away from the path of burnout and harm. But I ignored His guidance in my stubbornness, convinced that I knew better. It took being hurt, both physically and emotionally, for me to finally understand that God's plans for us are always in our best interest, even when they don't align with our own desires. 🙏🏽✨
Leaving the classroom was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It felt like a loss, a surrender, a failure. But in truth, it was none of those things.
Have you ever felt God urging you to move on from something you loved, even when it didn't make sense then? How did you respond?
With gratitude and a dash of courage,
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