Ralph Waldo Emerson penned the famous declaration, “Life is a journey, not a destination.”  Stephen Tyler of Aerosmith brought the phrase to a new generation when he recorded it in a hit song back in the 90’s.  Today, this sentiment still rings true for me, as it should for you!

My Facebook Memories reminded me that “on this day” seven years ago, I began a new job at Novant Health in Winston-Salem as an Insurance Specialist.  This fulltime gig came with great pay and benefits, and I was set!  The secure position within this large corporation enabled me to purchase a new car; something I had not been able to do for some time.  I made friends quickly as I learned a new side of the industry.  Within weeks I was clearing my accounts and getting nods from my supervisor.  I was able to tithe generously to the small church I was pastoring, and life was good.  I started squirreling away money into the company’s 401(k), and I determined that this would be my spot until retirement.  This would actually work out well for me!

My new friend and trainer who sat next to me began to tell me how she used to work for one of the insurance companies that we at the hospital had to contact on a regular basis. Imagine my surprise when I learned that this same insurance company (Tricare) had a large office located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!  What a dream that would be, to work for that insurance company and live at my most favorite place in the whole world!  But I was set, and that was only a dream.

About six months later I visited my long-time friend down at Myrtle Beach and attended her church that Sunday morning.  I was introduced to several of her church friends, including a sweet lady who worked in the Human Resources Department of the Tricare office!  Was that a coincidence, or a divine appointment?  We exchanged emails and kept in touch for a few months.  And then I got the call:  “We’re hiring!”

I applied online, and scored an interview that November.  I was hired in December, and in January I returned to my beloved Myrtle Beach.  I was now taking calls from Novant Health and other facilities, having been trained on the flip side of the industry.  If not for my friend and co-worker at Novant, I would not have even known about Tricare’s office there.  Had I not gone to church with my beach-bestie, I would not have met the friend in their Human Resources office.  I had a fulltime job and was living in Myrtle Beach.  I was set!

I quickly settled in at church and as a minister, offered to coordinate a new Singles’ ministry there.  Later that summer, August 11, 2013 to be exact, the pastor had me stand up as he introduced me to the congregation, inviting any “unmarried” men and women to talk with me after the service.  Imagine my surprise when a tall, dark and handsome man approached me, asking, “Are you Robin?”  I wanted to respond with, “Are you SINGLE?” but I kept my composure.  That is the day I met the man I would fall in love with, and marry a year later.  We bought a house and a boat, and we were set!

We enjoyed beach life for five years, and then the Lord opened a door through my husband’s work for us to relocate again, out to Lake Hartwell.  We sold our home in just 24 hours, and bought our new house at the lake two days later.  It was a whirlwind move, but we will soon celebrate our second year here in the upstate of South Carolina!  Are we set and settled?  Only the good Lord knows.  But I have learned that each new thing, each new job, each new address, is a divine appointment and glorious stop on this journey we call “life”.  Each new opportunity is not a dead-end, but rather an unforeseen portal into the next great adventure!  I have also learned that while I love each and every place I have lived, this world is not my home.  I’m just traveling through, and making the most of every mile along this incredible journey!

So be encouraged!  That job, that house, that neighbor, that contact, that random stranger on the street…might just be a hidden stepping stone toward something unimaginable!