Signs are everywhere

Sometimes in life when you have been in a period of waiting, you begin to wonder if God is really listening to you. I've discovered over the years that He has three answers: yes, no and wait. The waiting is what kills me. My mother will tell you she used to pray for patience for me when I was a child. During   
my hubby's deployments I used to tell my mom to stop praying for patience. Here's the thing, I just want to know what direction I am supposed to take, NOW! 

I've taken some time to reflect on some unsettling things in my life that are stirring me into a different place. I know now that I have been unsettled because of two reasons: 

                  1) God is leading me in a different direction.
                  2) I have not been listening. (***Ouch)

Let's start with the second one: not listening. Wow, who do I think I am? I get so annoyed when my students and my children do not listen to me. Yet here I am, doing just that and ignoring my Heavenly Father. You see, I have had some nudges along the way that He is speaking, leading and guiding me. However, I've been too wrapped up in my own challenges with blinders on that I have forgotten to stop and hone in the patterns or message being revealed to me. 

Signs are everywhere right now in many different ways. Below are some signs that have hit me like a ton of bricks this last weekend. 
      *Making a flight during an ice storm.
      *Various songs playing at different times and all with the same message.
       (Brave by Sara Bareilles, Fearless by Jasmine Murray, Overcomer by Mandissa, This is Me by Keala Settle & cast from  
           The Greatest Showman, and It is Well by Bethel Music are just a few songs that have "spoken" to me.)
     *Public speakers 
     *Sermons
     *Scriptures: Jer. 29:11, Isaiah 54:2-3, Joshua 1:9
     *Spending time with my aunt.
     *Heartfelt chat with my mom.
     *My husband's uncanny way of just keeping things "black & white.'
     *Encouragement from my doctor.
     *Reconnecting with some high school friends.
     *A student walking in with a shirt on that has my three words for 2018: 
           Brave, Bold, Fearless

While I'm not quite ready to reveal all of how I feel I'm being led onto a different path and what that means, one thing I know, is that I feel renewed. I feel lighter, stronger, freer, wiser and BRAVE. I have faith that will fuel me to move forward.