In Search of My Dream Job

One of my boys asked me a couple of weeks ago, “Mom, is the job you are doing right now your dream job?” The question caught me off guard. “Well,” I answered, “I had always thought it would be nice to work in a church, & I really do love it, but I’m not sure I could say that it’s my dream job.”

“Well, then,” he asked, “What would your dream job be if you could do anything you wanted?” I had no answer. I really didn’t know.

It was kind of strange, but he didn’t let the question go. A few days later, he asked again, “Mom, you never answered. What would your dream job be?” I was a little sad after thinking about it because I realized I didn’t really have a “dream job” on my heart. For some reason though, I couldn’t stop thinking about the question. After all, I am getting older and don’t have as much time left to chase after dreams. I decided that I had better figure out what my dream job was before it was too late.

There are a lot of things that I enjoy doing. For example, I love to sing, but there are probably only about 5 notes that I can hit really well. (I apologize to those who have been unfortunate enough to stand in front of me while I sing my heart out in church.) I love to listen to people, encourage them and help them sort things out. However, I didn’t pursue a degree in counseling because I wanted to start a family as soon as possible. My “baby” only has 2 years left in high school now, but I don’t think my older brain could concentrate on learning anymore, and I don’t think I could juggle going to school while working full time. I love pouring into kids and helping shape them, but again, I don’t want to return to school for a degree. I have also always wanted to write a book, but I have enough trouble writing one blog post a week. Besides, I’m not currently getting a lot of traffic on my blog spot.

Not having a dream has really bothered me for some reason, but I believe I have finally come to a conclusion today. I think that it is okay to say that in this season of life I really don’t have a dream job. However, I do know some of the things I do in life that give me the most joy. The times when I am the happiest and most content are the times that I’m in sync with God and He blesses me by working in me and through me.

I may not be a great singer, but I love to sing praises to God and to worship Him. I don’t have a degree in counseling, but God does send me people to listen to, encourage and point to him. I don’t have a degree in teaching, but I have been given opportunities to build up high school students in my life group each week and to love and encourage children by volunteering in my son and daughter-in-law’s classrooms. I also may not be confident with my writing skills, but once in a while, I am blessed to know that God used the words I wrote to touch and encourage someone and to show them how awesome He is.

So, although there truly may not be a dream job for me, I am really pretty content to dabble in this, dabble in that and simply watch each day for the opportunities to let Jesus love the people through me. Or maybe I could say that my dream job is simply to be a vessel that God chooses to work in and through to bring him glory.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” ~Ephesians 2:10 NLT