“Disappointment into Blessing” by Sarah Spealler
Happy Easter! I am grateful for the opportunity to write to you!
I would love to tell you a little bit about my life and how resiliency was a necessity for me. I grew up in rural Maryland. We lived in a very small house next to a farm where my parents rented the home. My siblings and I spent endless hours outside exploring abandoned houses, a chicken coop, running through cornfields, and biking through the winding roads. I remember from a young age that money was tight which caused a lot of issues between my parents. At times, when my dad was out of work, our local church would open up their food pantry to us. On another occasion, I remember my parents receiving cash in an unaddressed envelope in our mailbox. A friend of our family probably knew we were struggling.
School was extremely hard for me. I had to work hard to get C’s and B’s. I was a slower reader and horrible at math. I started working when I turned 15; saving every penny for a car and all the other things that come with growing up. After high school, I continued at the community college in my hometown. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and this just seemed to be the most practical way to go about it, since it was “on me” to pay for college. I lived at home for 3 more years, worked as much as I could, and got my associates degree.
My love for running cross country took me to another school that I transferred to where I pursued a degree in psychology and I got to experience running track and XC. I had 3 different jobs, one of which was a nanny. After 18 months of full-on hustling, I graduated with a masters in elementary education. Shortly after that, I married my best friend. He worked in a bike shop wrenching on bikes all day.
Nannying went to more of a part time gig, so I started substitute teaching while keeping my gym job and spa job on nights and weekends. My goal was to become an elementary school teacher. I had interview after interview, but was never offered a job. I questioned myself a lot that year.
“What’s wrong with me? I must not be good at interviews! Did I answer all the questions wrong?” Thoughts like that slowly crept into my head but I was always reminded it just wasn’t the right time and to keep pursuing.
One day, I saw a flyer about a government housing project called Mountain Lands Housing Trust. It is a program to help people with a low-income purchase their first home. The crux was that we had to be the ones to build it! A few days later we found ourselves in their office filling out paperwork. Long story short, we qualified for the housing program! It required us to put in an additional 40 hours a week on top of our day jobs.
We worked closely with a foreman who taught us how to build walls, install roof trusses, roof, lay tile, install finish work, landscaping etc. Our group consisted of 12 couples/singles. No one was allowed to move in until all homes were completed. We worked nights and weekends to complete 12 homes in a year, one of which was ours. None of this would have happened had I gotten a teaching job right out of college. A teacher’s salary would have disqualified us. There was purpose in the waiting.
We all have stories, we all have circumstances, and it's all too easy to believe the lies that we sometimes tell ourselves, or others have told us. But the truth is, you are valued, you are loved, you were created for a purpose, and your name was known far before you were born. One of my favorite reminders of this comes from this woman, Hosanna Wong. I encourage you to take a look at it, and when you feel the doubts creep in, take time to listen and ground yourself again.
The truth? Life for many hasn't been easy…but the One who created you, the one who loves you and handmade you, says this:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” –Jesus
(John 16:33)
Shared by
Sarah Spealler
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