Our new little girls arrived three weeks ago. I’ve been horribly remiss in posting pictures, but believe me when I say I haven’t been remiss in taking them. I have joked for years that I have hundreds more photos of my cow babies and chickies than I do of my only child, but it has never been more true.

My place of bliss is spending time with the five new chicks. Every day I try to sit with them, talk with them and touch them to get them used to human contact and to make them as friendly as their natural inclinations will allow. And every day I am simply amazed by the care our Creator took in these babies. When Trudy comes sniffing around the brooder or lets out a bark, the girls all run for cover and stand perfectly still. They scratch and peck at the ground without ever having seen a mother hen show them how or why. They send signals to each other with their chirps and cheeps to signal food or danger. They clean and primp their feathers as they go from downy soft to their “big girl wings”. These instincts serve them well. Better than well. The girls wouldn’t survive without them.

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Yesterday, my principal shared with me two upcoming openings within our district. He was quite certain I would be excited about at least one of them, and on paper, one does look like a great fit for me. He knows I’m looking to make a move out of the classroom but still within the school setting and I was so appreciative of him giving me a heads up. I haven’t seen the official posting yet, and I will keep my mind open until I give it fair consideration, but in truth, my own instincts kept me from feeling much excitement about either posting. Despite my experience, my background and what my principal sees in me, these positions are not for me.

As anxious as I am to make a move out of the classroom, I do not want to jump to something that isn’t a positive, joyful move for me. I do not want to make a move that makes me think, “wow, that sounds like a lot of work” and not “wow, that sounds like a lot of fun!” My instincts are telling me no. Even though I know deeply that staying in the classroom for another year isn’t where my heart is either.

If I have learned anything from my little girls, however, it’s to listen to my instincts. To not move when I am faced with uncertainty. To wait until I have a really good morsel before chirping with excitement. To keep honing my skills and growing professionally until the right opportunity comes along. Then, with unabashed enthusiasm, I will show the world just how I can fly.