Again, need I say not a great work day? Given the restructured department and my new role, I fell out of love with my career. In fact, it was no longer my career. My role had changed from my passion for working with words to focusing on technology. A major shift had taken place and everything about the work culture seemed unsettled. When a friend called that evening, I told her about my day scene by scene. And cut, I said to myself in the middle of the monologue.

That was the moment I realized I was in a battle––alone. I was no longer content with my work, but rehashing my day wasn’t going to make any difference. Something needed to change, and I knew the change had to start with me. I didn’t know what the change would be. I didn’t know how it was going to happen. I only knew I no longer wanted to end my work days under stress that flowed into my evenings and my interactions with others.

I still couldn’t see past the marriage––to my job. I worked for one of the most prestigious universities in the Midwest, a place so many others only dreamed of working. How many of us try not to divorce––our jobs, even if our happiness is an illusion? Romans 8:13 says, “The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!” (12-14, MSG). This scripture was a source of comfort that led me to ask God, “What’s next?”

I knew I wanted to stay in academia. And I asked myself if I could work anywhere else, where would it be? Where is bliss? I spent a lot of time thinking about that question and I realized you can see amazing things when your eyes are wide open. I reflected on the first time I visited New England. I fell in love with the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and could see myself moving there. Although it was 1,100 miles away from my roots, I sought a renewed career out east and soon received an offer for a new role as a writer (a PR and communications specialist) at another university.

While I was excited, I almost turned down the offer because the cost of living was twice as high yet my new salary would not amount to much more than my existing one. I also considered the distance the job would place between my family and me and how I would be alone. But then I had a dream. I mean an actual dream. My family and I were standing on the grass and everyone hugged me. I waved goodbye as I stepped over the sidewalk. Then a man took me by the hand as he helped me to the grass on the other side of the walkway. Suddenly I was in a large apartment and one of my brothers was painting the walls dollar green (a color I would never select). Then I was at the job where I met a group of women who helped me out in a sisterly way.

In the midst of waking up, I heard a masculine voice say, “Go on and go, Adrienne.” And I suddenly had the confidence to begin a new chapter in my life. God had revealed that I was not going as far as another planet, it would be easy for me to visit my family, and everything would work out.

The next month when I arrived in New England to meet my new colleagues, my supervisor and another colleague spent a day visiting apartment complexes with me and educating me on ideal communities. God seemed to have stretched my income as far as He’d stretched my dream into reality. I moved into my contemporary apartment in a nice community with a fraction of a better salary. The walls were not green (thank heavens), but I was blessed with abundance in terms of space, affordability, and kind neighbors.

Shortly after I began my new position, I met with the faculty of oceanographers whom I’d be handling PR and communications for; another group of women colleagues welcomed me by taking me out to lunch. My brother did come for a visit, and I flew home regularly. But here is one of the most amazing parts of this journey: I could walk to the beach from my office—facing east of the building as well as the beach facing west. I went from spending my lunch breaks sitting at the boardroom table discussing technology to walking on the beach—thanks to a simple act of trust.

I considered how God used a dream to foreshadow His next step for me. Everything I dreamed about worked out according to Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Since taking this journey with God, I’ve trusted Him more. Whenever I feel a major shift in my career approaching, I invite God into the matter because I’ve seen how He miraculously reveals what change can look like. And I try to follow His expedition. It’s not easy, but it’s always worthy.