Today I had a moment of realization that I may never step foot in a classroom again and, to be honest, I am okay with that. Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamt of becoming a school teacher. I would spend the whole day playing school. I would dress up like my favorite teachers, read books, give out tests, and teach lessons on my dry erase board that my mom bought me. I knew without a doubt that I was meant to be a teacher, and then one day I became one. My experience as a school teacher was honestly never what I pictured—it was hard. My dolls never talked back and I never had the real responsibility of creating engaging lesson plans, having parent-teacher conferences, giving tests where the results would be counted for or against me as an educator, and keeping up with tasks due to administration. My passion left, my fire left, and I often felt burnt out. I loved my students, but I always felt that something was missing. Looking back now, I remember always reading the book, “Chicken Noodle Soup for the Preteen Soul” to my pretend students when I was a little girl. The book was filled with encouragement, motivation, and inspiration. Then one day it finally hit me: Could the Lord be transitioning me into something that looks different than what I imagined, but truer to the person I was always meant to be?
When the Lord called me to quit my job as a school teacher in 2017, I was devastated because I felt like I lost my purpose. The Lord had to take me on a journey to show me that my true identity comes from being a child of God who just so happen to have a strong passion to teach, make a difference, and inspire. The Lord has been showing me that I can still teach and do what I love to do but just in different contexts and in different ways. God is so good in the sense that He knew what my heart needed and wanted more than I did. He has still called me to teach but through writing, through the encouraging videos I post, and through one-on-one conversations I have with people as I share my story and experiences. I have even started a nonprofit organization to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of widows, young girls, single mothers, and the homeless. I have never felt more fulfilled, and I feel so much joy as I love and serve others. The Lord never wastes anything! If He takes something away, it is only because He wants to give you something greater—something that is uniquely tailored for your personality, gifts, experiences, and desires.
Now more than ever, I feel ready. I feel ready to get back out there and do what the Lord has called me to do with no inhibitions, and I am ready for what the Lord wants to do through my life. I will no longer allow fear, doubt, and discouragement stop me from soaring into my destiny. I know who I am now, I know what the Lord has called me to do, and I know that the Lord will continue to be my rock and wind beneath my wings.
So… let me reintroduce myself: My name is Nikkisha and I was born to teach, inspire, and lead. What about you? Who are you and what has the Lord called you to do? Whatever it is, I encourage you to give it all you got. God is most glorified when we are fully walking in purpose and identity. We got this!
Love,
Nikkisha