Moving on to Greener Pastures

I’m often caught up in the symbolism of life, and how things have a way of coming full-circle.

Three-and-a-half years ago, I was assigned a project in my sophomore journalism class: examine a hyperlocal news site and recommend ways to improve the site’s audience development practices. My class partner and I were assigned to a site in a suburb of Nashville, and we worked with the site’s administrator. It went smoothly, and I thought nothing more of it.

Until a month ago when I saw a job posting from that same site.

I recognized the name of the woman I’d worked with, and since I’d been wanting to move to Nashville, I thought it a strange enough coincidence to apply.

In the meantime, my car was stolen and then returned, on the same day I heard back and was asked to interview. Three days later, I had the job offer.

And so, after 5 days at home, I have packed my belongings and am driving 2,000 miles across the country to a city I’ve long felt I belonged in.

No, I’ve never been there, but that hasn’t lessened the pull to move. When people ask for more specific reasons, I throw out my love of country and blues music, vibrant city life next to quaint suburbs, and a need for greenery after living in the desert for a year. But the conviction to move to Nashville is deeper than that.

This desire has been with me for two years, and it’s grown stronger over the past year. I began to believe God wanted me in that area, so I prayed for Him to provide a way for me to work out there. I felt like I spent the whole summer waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Nothing happened. Then, within a matter of days, I was moving to Tennessee.

My family worried about the logistics of the move, but I have faith that if God wants me to move, He will provide for the logistics. I’ve seen it before: when I follow God’s plan, there’s no detail that goes unnoticed. He provides everything in the perfect manner and perfect timing.

This summer has been full of trials. I’ve battled depression as I waited for God to speak about my next move, feeling like I was ready to go but waiting for my purpose. And just a few days before I planned to move home until I found a job, my car was stolen.

I lost it. I cried and cried, feeling like my very freedom had been stolen from me. My dad prayed for me with faith and love, showcasing a confidence in God that I was lacking: He prayed for my car to be returned, even thanking God in advance for safely returning it!

And when it was returned safely, it was as if the blinders fell from my eyes. My faith renewed, I prayed with the same conviction over my job interviews and negotiations. I believe deeply that this situation is God’s plan. Knowing so gives me the ultimate peace to begin the next chapter of my life in Tennessee.

A song that’s spoken to my soul lately talks about the hills and valleys of life:

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain, I didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley, I know I am not alone

This summer, I was in a valley and I recognized that. I cried out to God for help, and at my lowest points, He was there. Because of Him, I never lost sight of the hope that has always propelled me forward.

Now, I’m on top of a mountain. Hell, I’m on top of the world. But I didn’t get here on my own. This is all God’s doing. Even though there are sure to be more valleys, I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me next.

Stay tuned

Brooke