"The Humor of God's Timing" by Lauren McCoy

I never knew I would be in Nashville as a fellow working at St. Paul Christian Academy as a teacher. I always thought I would be on Young Life Staff or I would be an intern at a Young Life Camp. That was my plan from the very beginning. However, God loves to prove me wrong, demonstrating to me that He knows best.

Over the summer, my dad and I visited our old high school, where I would never forget the conversation that would soon turn in my favor. Thinking out loud, he mentioned to me that it might be a good idea for me to work at our old stomping grounds as a teacher, while also getting my graduate degree related to psychology. I looked at him like he was crazy, and I said, “Dad, I would NEVER want to teach. That is the last thing I would want to do as a job.” And his idea did make sense now looking back at the conversation because of my experience with Young Life and coaching soccer in college.

Well, the Lord has a great sense of humor because that same day, about 3 hours after talking with my dad, I got a phone call from Eric, a member of the Nashville Fellows Jobs Committee, who would be telling me with excitement that he found a job that best fits my personality. I was thrilled, but I was not expecting him to tell me I would be working at St. Paul Christian Academy as a teacher. I remember looking up, giggling, because I knew God was going to prove me wrong, and He definitely accomplished that because I have loved every minute working at St. Paul this past semester.

St. Paul has become one of my favorite aspects of the Fellows Program, not only because I love to teach and to invest in students, but I have also found a community through the St. Paul family. When I first started, I was very intimidated with all the people with whom I would be working; however, I dove head first into the school, where the Lord provided me with incredible people to trust and rely on, especially my supervisor Susan (see picture above of Susan and me). He gave me people who would accept me, love me, and show me Jesus everyday. And now looking back on last semester, I really needed that love and support from the people I worked with after moving away from a home of 22 years.

The Lord knows exactly what you need in each stage of your life, and we need to have an open mind and heart, because you never know where you’ll be in the next few years, or even tomorrow. The Lord will provide, and He will answer you in HIS TIMING. Easier said than done, I know. This is where praying to trust is important as well as relying on a community. Through experience, I have learned in HIS TIMING that I love Nashville and will be staying here after the program is over. And I learned that teaching is a gift He has given me. I never knew a year ago that those phrases would come out of my mouth, but I am grateful for HIS TIMING.