Un-Tethered

 A few months ago, I took a bold step to resign from a job that I worked in for almost seven years. In as much as this job was a blessing, I must say that it limited me in several ways. I remember continually being on the run- running to work, running back home, running for lunch etc. Everything was always haste and hurry. Unfortunately, this also affected how I engaged with my family. I wasn’t 100% present. When I was home, I had just a few hours to start preparing for the next day and hit REPEAT. My previous job had excellent health insurance but I was unable to even fit in my doctor’s appointments. I would miss my dental appointments and would keep procrastinating. So ever since I resigned a few months ago, I can say that I feel UNTETHERED!

When I was in school in Kenya, our agriculture teacher taught us about zero-grazing. For some reason, that stuck in my mind. The teacher explained that zero-grazing is when an animal is tethered to a tree or a pole and the animal is only able to eat the grass in that area. That animal can see greener pastures but it is confined/restricted and is unable to venture into different or perhaps a plentiful pasture.

Using this analogy, this is what my previous job did. I felt confined to that job. I was always hearing and seeing people move on to different things and also pursue their dreams. I, however, was limited to grazing or experiencing the same. People would touch base with me and tell me they graduated; they did this and that etc. I would smile and say, “I am still here…nothing has changed.”

Once I left my job, I became untethered and PRESENT. I have been learning so many new things. I learned how to knit, I paint, I read more, and I am teaching my kids Swahili! My husband is also enjoying this phase in my life. When he walks into the house in the evening, he is often greeted by fresh food on the stove and sometimes fresh-baked cupcakes! I am having more conversations with my kids and I am not under a time crunch.

Being tethered can be a good thing since we can learn in a safe space without venturing into zones that we are unprepared for. However, we need to understand that you are not meant to be tethered indefinitely. You eventually need to be cut loose to explore and apply what you have learned! I know that my previous job was necessary but it wasn’t meant to be FOREVER. I think at times, the blessings that God bestows upon us can be the same ones that shackle us if we don’t take the next step. The same job or position you were in may have been fascinating but once you conquer that territory, you need to step out in faith and become untethered.

In the word of God, we are called to enlarge our territories and also enlarge our tent!!!! How can we possibly do that when we are tethered? We need to trust the Lord and perhaps cut loose from our comfort zones.

1 Chronicles 4: 10

“Please bless me by enlarging my territory. May your hand be with me! Keep me from harm, so that it will not cause me pain .”

Isaiah 54:2 

 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”

Hugs 🤗 Made of Still!