088: Lauren’s Last Episode: An Update and a Blessing
In today’s episode, Lauren shares a life update about her one word for 2022 accompanied by an announcement. May this be an encouragement to you about refocusing, surrendering, and receiving unexpected, new beginnings.
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Quick Links:
Abiding Caregiver Facebook Group
If you liked this episode, you may also like:
085: Reflections on Vocation as a Caregiver
080: How to Choose One Word for 2022
083: What We’re Saying No to in 2022
Quotes from this episode:
“I became a mom who went back to college to finish up her degree without knowing what the other side of it would hold. I just knew school was my next right thing.”
Lauren D Crow
“This opportunity was truly unexpected and has required me to implement my word of the year by “refocusing” upon something new God is calling me to.”
Lauren D Crow
“May God transform the leftovers and unraveled places of your life into an unexpected blessing.”
Lauren D Crow
“For He is the Author of your story and already wrote the best ending. May you release the pen back into His hands and trust His process.”
Lauren D Crow
Transcript:
Hi, my friends. Welcome to Self Care and Soul Care for the Caregiver Podcast. My
name is Lauren and I am especially grateful to spend a few minutes with you.
This is episode 88. And in today’s episode I am going to share a life update about the
one word I chose for 2022 and spoke on during the One Word for 2022 Online
Conference. Also, make sure you listen in until the end because I am sharing a special
announcement with you.
Last fall as I prayed about my One Word for 2022 I sensed the Holy Spirit tell me to
“refocus.” Refocus means “to focus on something new or different.” I did not know
how that would play out in this new year, but I tried to keep my heart open and hold
loosely all entrusted to me so that I could discern God’s leading.
In episode 85, Sandra discussed vocations as a Caregiver and how in different seasons
of caregiving we wrestle with vocational decisions based on the priorities of finances,
being able to maintain margin for the unpredictable things that come along with
caregiving, and/or being able to do something that truly fulfills us.
Personally, for me, I have been through seasons of a full time corporate career where
my main focus was on providing income for my family, then I was led into a full time
ministry role where my main focus was supporting my husband and the people God
had brought into my life, then caregiving became front and center as my son’s medical
needs increased drastically, and finally I became a mom who went back to college to
finish up her degree without knowing what the other side of it would hold. I just knew
school was my next right thing.
So that leads me to the present day. Now, I am entering a season of life that is bringing
me to a point where those three vital things Sandra mentioned are colliding together:
Having the provision of margin for the unpredictable things that come with caregiving,
financial benefits for my family, AND stewarding a role and responsibility that is
fulfilling to my soul.
This brings me to my special announcement today. I have received an unexpected
opportunity. After praying through it with my husband we feel that the Holy Spirit is
leading me to refocus onto a new path by accepting this opportunity in the field of
teaching. Teaching is a part of my God-given design and is life-giving and fulfilling for
me. This opportunity was truly unexpected and has required me to implement my
word of the year by “refocusing” upon something new God is calling me to.
It reminds me of a quote by J. R. R. Tolkien, “True education is a kind of a never ending
story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent
newness.”
I am deeply honored and genuinely grateful for the opportunity to serve your heart
and home over the past 6 months through this podcast. Sandra entrusted me with a
piece of her space and it has brought me wealth in the form of friendships.
Before I go, I do want to let you know that if you would like to stay connected with me
the best way to do that is to follow me on Instagram @laurendcrow and to join my
email list. I send out a friendly letter now and again sharing what I am learning from
my real-life living. The link will be in the show notes.
Friends, cheers to new beginnings, whether they were planned for or unexpected, may
we be brave enough to refocus since God’s sovereignty remains. And remember as Dr.
Alicia Britt Chole says best, “The reward is never in the scenery. The reward is always
in the Company.”
As I end my final episode today, I would like to say a blessing over you:
May God transform the leftovers and unraveled places of your life into an unexpected
blessing. May your heart find rest because God has your best interest at heart. He will
transform the broken places into a mosaic masterpiece of redemption. May his healing
ointment become your new song. For He is the Author of your story and already wrote
the best ending. May you release the pen back into His hands and trust His process.
May you always remember that God’s power works best in your weakness, so you can
surrender all to Him and He will keep it safe. You are brave to keep trusting and keep
faithfully stewarding. You are loved and treasured. May his favor be upon you, go
before you, and surround you all of your days. Yes and amen.
