Sunrises and Seasons

I have watched the sunrise for years from my office window. I’ve taken many pictures of the beauty the Lord shows every morning. Yesterday, for the last time, I sat at my office window and watched the sunrise, and it was so beautiful. 

I’m so grateful for the time I had there. The promotions, the changes, the wins, the losses, the heartbreaks, the successes, and the people have been a part of my journey for almost 10 years. The challenges and the joys- I count it all as blessings.

As my job came to an end, I was reflecting on many things. I started at that distribution center as a seasonal part-time worker over 9 years ago. I just wanted to make some Christmas money for my kids. I was asked to be a trainer and stay at the end of that season, so I did. From there, I continued to move up. From a full-time worker, to Wave Caller (basically the department coordinator), Supervisor, Operations Manager, and then Director of Operations- all within 6 years. My degree is not in the field I worked in- not even close, actually. Before then, I was the owner of a daycare and a stay-at-home mom. My degree is in child development. How in 6 years did I become a Director of Operations? It was the Lord who brought me to that building, and it was the Lord who brought every fast-track promotion. On paper, I was not qualified. In the Lord’s eyes, I was. The way promotions became available and how still amazes me. His favor and His grace continually abounded over me.

Yesterday we had a big send off luncheon where colleagues brought food and we catered in. It was great. People ate, laugh, took pictures, hugged, etc. It was my last time serving and directing those 400 people and I took it all in.

I sat in my office after that lunch and, for the last time, saw from my window the 400 people who were under me leaving throughout the day. 

I had 15 Leads (supervisors) under me… some wrote me cards, some sat with me in my office say goodbyes and thank yous, some I hugged and teared up. Such a great group.

Then the time came to say goodbye to the remaining people reporting to my weekend shift for years. My 9 managers and I stood to say bye, take care, all the best, we’ll miss you… etc. to everyone. Many hugs, many smiling faces, and many sad faces. 

After that came the moment I had to say goodbye to my managers. One had been with me since I started as that seasonal part-time worker. Some were managers while I was a supervisor. I then became a manager with them before being promoted to their Director. A few I had promoted and hired through my director’s journey. One manager I reported to him as his supervisor, then we were peers as managers, then he reported to me. Again I can say- such a great group of managers. I was truly blessed, but I didn’t know where to start on saying goodbye. We kept it short and sweet because it was best. Hugs all around and quick goodbyes.

Then I had to turn in my badge. My heart broke. I always said the Lord gave me that job, so only the Lord can take it away. Well, that time came. He ended my season.

My drive home was filled with tears- especially when I drove out of that massive parking lot for the last time. The building was empty of people and products. The parking lot was empty… except for the crew that always hangs out there after work. Every day for the last few years, unless there was precipitation falling from the sky… that same group hung out talking, laughing, venting or whatever. I always saw them when I left at the end of the day. When I drove by this time, I looked at them and smiled. They looked at me and waved wild, funny waves. I knew them all- I’d been their supevisor, manager, and director. I laughed and waved back. All those kids had been with me for at least 7 years… they grew up there like many others. Tears.

I text a few of my managers later with the words I couldn’t get out in person when I got home. I would have been a mess in person. Text was better for us all. Their responses warmed my heart. One of my managers text me before I got to him and it was great.

My goodness… what a season of life. I’ve changed so much from the start of that journey to the end. I’ve gone through loss of family, divorce, growth in God, sick times, tough family times, faith-shaking times… I made mistakes as a peer, associate, and leader, but I have grown tremendously over the years. Much has happened in 9 years- good and not so good, but I enjoyed my job. During the most challenging time of peak seasons when I led over 800 people, to the quiet times in the summer with 350… Through it all, the Lord was with me and so good to me. He kept me, led me, gave me wisdom man could not give, and His mercies continually endured.  

I love the scenic pictures from my office window. So as this season of my life comes to a close, I share the last sunrise I’ll see from that building and a few others. I am looking to the Lord with joyful expectation for this new season, and I am thanking Him for all that He’s done in the season that ended. He brought me from where I was in 2016 to where I am today- spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally…  He brought me through and He brough me out.

Change, transitions, and shifts can be so challenging. But has believers in the one true God. We must do what the word says to do in those situations. We have an advantage that those who don’t believe or walk in the truth and light of the Lord have. We have boldness and confidence given to us through Jesus Christ. We have the helper, who is the Holy Spirit. He is our comfort in our guide in all situations. And we have Almighty God, who is with us. He is faithful in his word, does not return void and will complete every promise that he has spoken.

I will still pray for my team. I pray that those who don’t know Christ will accept Him and those that do, will truly follow Him. I pray they will do well in their next place and they will use what was taught (good and bad) to help them be successful in their next place of employment.

It’s a new season. Eyes on Jesus. 

When you walk into a new season, I pray you too, though it may be difficult, hard, unexpected, and unwarranted, you keep your eyes on Jesus. He knows your beginning, and He knows your end. Therefore, only He can bring you through. No matter what it looks like, eyes on Jesus.

Promises for the Journey

These are the scriptures I held on to as I worked and led my team.

Galatians 6:6 NKJV

⁶ Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Proverbs 3:3-4 AMP

³ Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart ⁴ So find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.