The last few weeks have been stressful, frustrating, aggravating, confusing, humbling, boring and unimaginably fulfilling and full of blessings. That’s kind of how challenges in life go, isn’t it?

I found out in the first week after starting a new career that there isn’t a lot of stability in the industry. I knew it could happen and truthfully was afraid of it every single day. And then it happened.

I lost my job.

If you know me, you know how earth-shattering that statement is. I take a lot of pride in my work and quite possibly have put too much of my life towards building my career. I became well-aware quickly that this was going to be a season of growth and change for me. What I wasn’t prepared for is how moved I’ve been by the outpouring of LOVE, support and encouragement from friends and family. They have shown me God’s love and mercy (and sometimes the anger I haven’t felt the right to express) over and over again whether they know it or not.

From friends checking in and encouraging me, praying for me and sending job notifications to them quietly trying to pick up the bill when we’re out for dinner I am more convinced than ever that I have chosen to surround myself with some of the most beautiful hearts on earth. I am grateful for them every day.

Now for the people who didn’t choose me, and I didn’t choose them and I couldn’t be more blessed — my family. Talk about humility. I am humbled by their love every single day. And, though I shouldn’t be surprised by their generosity, they continue to outdo themselves. Some of the many instances of support:

• “I know you don’t want help, but say the word and we’re here.”
• While struggling financially themselves, a cousin and her husband offering to pay for my trip to come visit them because I expressed concerns that I couldn’t afford to travel at the moment.
• My mother (who never misses church) pretending to be too tired to go to church so I could stay home as well and not have to face everyone at my hometown church asking me how my job was going.

God moves in many different ways. I thought my humility would come from the embarrassment of losing a job and learning to put my pride away. It didn’t. The humility came in the form of beauty and grace.

Humility can be a pretty amazing thing.