I moved to Washington, DC for my career with the Federal Government in 2008. Since day one of stepping foot onto DC’s turf, my main goal was to move back south. #CornbreadFed
Fast forward 2 years later.
I applied and applied for almost every job that was posted within my agency that was anywhere in and around Mississippi. None landed me a job back in the south. With most of them I would get as far as an interview but the “although you were among the most qualified you were not chosen for the position” email would always come. In the midst of my search for jobs in the South, I applied for and accepted a job that pushed me further up the ranks (in DC). However, I continued to apply for jobs, even if I knew it would take me backwards in my career, because I was willing to work my way back up… just to get back south.
Fast forward 5 years later.
I was pregnant with my first child, my son. His dad lived in DC and I had gotten a little more comfortable with the idea of staying in DC longer. As a result, I settled on the fact that I would call DC home for at least a few years—if not more! Thus, I bought a house. Here I was 9 months pregnant moving into a house, making us a home —in the DMV. Also, I had begun the process of doing everything I could to position myself to move further up the career ladder, in DC. My circle was tight, I had formed a village for my son, and all was looking up —in DC.
Fast forward two and a half years later.
My desire to move back to the South started to resurface. I am not sure if it was the fact that my son’s father was not active or just missing my family. Now pregnant with my daughter, I wanted to get back to the hospitality and my family. I desired to move back to raise my children near family and experience those “go play with your cousins, don’t come inside until the street lights come on, going to your grandma’s house for the summer” type of moments.
Fast forward to the end of Summer 2015.
I begin applying for jobs again. However, this time I had one foot in and one foot out of the “I don’t want to live in DC” bubble. The thought of staying in DC, working at Headquarters, and getting promoted up the ranks became the best plan with me becoming a mom of 2. Logically, MORE MONEY would be perfect!! The same job position I was currently performing was posted in the south. I was excited about the chance to get back to the south making the same amount of money I was making in DC. I applied!
Fast forward a few months.
I received the email from Human Resources stating that I GOT THE JOB!!! Shortly after receiving the notification, my future supervisor emailed me wanting to schedule a conference call. I knew this was the best move of my life so I was prepared and ready for the exciting conversation!!
On the contrary, the conversation was NOT SO exciting and actually left me in tears. She and her boss wanted to be sure I understood that I was accepting a job that would mean I had to take a 30,000-pay cut. With a cracking voice I calmly asked, “Is there any way the pay can be reconsidered being that I am currently performing this exact same job?” They told me no. As if that didn’t stab me deeply, they dug the knife even deeper by saying if I accepted the job at this current pay they didn’t know when I would be able to get a promotion.
Everything about the call was negative and my excitement turned into my worst nightmare. I remember placing the call on mute and sobbing uncontrollably, disappointed and mad with God. They ended the call by saying I had a week to think about it and accept or deny the job offer. I got myself together, unmuted the phone, said ok thank you, and hung up.
The clock began ticking and…… that felt like the shortest week of my life!!!
I did what I always did when facing a huge decision… consulted my mom and my circle! I immediately sent emails and text messages and made calls. When I would get a “take it,” I was temporarily at peace with taking a $30,000- pay cut. Then the phone would buzz and the “GIRL NO YOU BETTER NOT” text would come through knocking me back into a confused state. All of this continued for 5 days (2 days left). I was just in disbelief. I had finally gotten the answer to my 7-year prayer—a job offer in the south —but at a MAJOR cost ($30,000).
Agency Executives, policy, and Human Resources all stated that, if the supervisor wanted to, she could offer me the higher pay since the promotion potential was there. However, it was all up to her. I spoke to one of my closest coworkers and he suggested that I do the old fashion method— take a piece of paper and write out the pros and cons. I sat in the work meeting that day and prayed. After the “Amen,” I started writing pros on the left and cons on the right.
To my disbelief, the pros outweighed the cons. I mysteriously thought the cons would outweigh the pros being that the biggest con was the $30,000- pay cut. After I completed my list (on the 6th day), I prayed over it and asked God to give me peace with going on this journey. I sent the email to Human Resources saying, “I accept the offer,” on the 7th day.
Girl, this is what I learned:
God was shielding me even though I didn't realize it. When I was applying for jobs I was willing to take ANYTHING just to get back south. Some were jobs I knew I would probably not enjoy. Moreover, the job I accepted that pushed me further up the ranks (in DC) was the bridge between where I was and where He was taking me!
Even with a solid circle, sometimes you have to hear God for yourself to know what His will is for you!
Doing the process in reverse can cause you to lose peace. The first thing I did was consulted everybody. After becoming drained with worry, I then gave it to God to undo the confusion.
Sometimes God speaks to you and you only. Almost everyone told me not to take it.
If God says go, go… even when you don’t know the whole story!
Servanthood is faith and submission. Although it didn’t look right to me (leaving $30,000 while 7 months pregnant and having a 2 1/2 year old) I submitted to His Will as His servant. I only had a finite view of his infinite plan.
God will align things perfectly. The year before moving I saved the most money I had ever saved.
He was asking me to step out on FAITH and TRUST Him in a situation that seemed extremely ridiculous so He can amaze me (and everyone who knew the situation) with what He was going to do.
Oh, you’re going to want to hear what happened next…. #Subscribe
Genesis 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”