I landed my dream job at age 23, but I didn’t fully realize then what it meant to bloom where you are planted.

It was the perfect combo for me then: Helping a team that offered hope and belonging to hurting people AND dabbling with data while tackling administrative projects.

Reserved and comfortable-behind-the-scenes, I was thrilled to be offered an administrative role in my church.

However, landing a dream job doesn’t mean every day is filled with sunshine and bunnies. As many fulfilling days as I’ve, there have been days of boredom, frustration or pain.

The last year has been the hardest so far.

I was soooo ready for something new.

There were days when the only thing keeping me going was seeing how it fit in part of my greater purpose and finding intentional ways to be grateful. I felt encouraged reflecting on how I’ve blossomed into the kind of person I’ve wanted to be.

Fourteen years of learning curves, transitional uncertainty and growing pains have shaped who I am today.

And whatever role you find yourself in now, in the moments you want to quit, you can remember ways your role is preparing you for your dream. It’s easier to recognize your purpose coming together and how far you’ve come when your heart is full of gratitude rather than angst.

Here are 4 ways it’s shaped and prepared me:

1 – Learning new skills

♦ Managing databases motivated me because
behind every name and number was a person with a story

♦ Creating processes energized me because
well-implemented systems helped value others in their journey

2 – Growing in leadership

♦ Surrounded by innovative, insightful, imperfect leaders;
I watched them carefully and took their lessons to heart

♦ Handling a few bridezillas gave me opportunities to
respond with grace to volatile reactions and criticism

♦ Understanding an organization’s purpose and mission
helped us make tough decisions for the sake of some, knowing it meant losing others

3 – Discovering self-care and life balance

♦ Burnout taught me it’s not selfish to take time for myself
so I’m energized to keep giving

♦ Burnout also taught me how to balance my relationships and commitments,
with ones that replenish me and ones in which I serve

4 – Maturing in character

♦ Receiving love and comfort when my marriage fell apart
filled me with grace for others whose lives didn’t turn out the way they dreamed

♦ Facilitating groups, learning how to ask questions and listen well
helped people believe in themselves and live with purpose

♦ Dreaming crazy God-dreams and seeing unexpected outcomes
grew my faith

What’s your key role?

Employee? Leader? Stay-at-home mom? Working parent? Teacher? Entrepreneur? Coach? How has your role shaped you? Start your your own gratitude list of how skills and growth converge into your calling.

Whether it feels meaningful, challenging or boring, you can find ways to make sure it’s not wasted. I hope you experience the days you feel like you’re soaring. But I know some days making it through is going to take all you’ve got.

You’ve got it in you. Bloom where you are planted.