A Beautiful New Beginning
By: Julie Willoughby
I recently came across a quote by Robin Sharma that said, “Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end.” I was very struck by this quote, especially as I enter a new chapter in my professional life. As many of you are aware, I am stepping out in faith and heading back into the classroom this Fall. I will be teaching in a local school district in the area and will be going back to my “first love” (Dale Gold phrased this perfectly for me several weeks back)!
As excited and honored as I am to be back in the classroom teaching children, I leave behind my wonderful preschool family. The team I have had the pleasure of working with, the families I have been blessed to partner with, and so many others who have touched my life in incredible ways are so precious to me. It’s not easy to walk away from this ministry.
As I reread that quote several times, I grieved the fact that change is hard. It can also get messy as we navigate new territory. But, change is also so very beautiful when God calls us to follow Him. God’s word tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that, “There is a time for every purpose and for every work.” As I end my time as the Dutilh Preschool Director, I am reminded that God’s purposes for our lives change as He calls us into new areas for growth! God gifted me with an incredible opportunity to lead Dutilh Preschool these past three years. Being the Director of such a wonderful school and ministry has been one of the biggest blessings in my life.
However, now it is time for God to give me a new purpose and opportunity to teach in an elementary school. I would be lying if I wasn’t struggling with this change. It will be hard to leave what I’ve come to love so much. It will be hard to say goodbye to children I’ve watched grow and learn so much. It will be hard to leave such an amazing teaching team who have become like a small group doing life together.
Change will always bring some discomfort and mess, but God is the author of our lives and we know that his stories are always the best ones. I’m so excited to see the new beginnings that God brings to Dutilh Preschool with a new Director, and I’m excited to see how God uses me to teach, instruct, and guide children in my classroom. If you have not yet had the opportunity to listen to the song, Beautiful Life by Pat Barett, please do so soon! It’s a wonderful reminder that, even in the seasons of change and uncertainty, God has given us a beautiful life.
Oh, what a beautiful life
Oh, what a beautiful life
What a time to be alive
What a time to be alive
It doesn't mean it's always gonna feel alright
But it'll be a gift if you hold it right
Oh, what a beautiful life
Oh, what a beautiful life