I said no. I still can’t believe I did it, but I did.
About a year ago, my wife and I both had a strong impression that I needed to finish my master’s degree early. We weren’t sure why, but we both knew it was something we needed to do. So without much hesitation, I signed up for extra classes and worked hard so I could graduate this past month instead of waiting until December.
Neither of us had an idea as to why I needed to graduate early. It wasn’t until early in January that I was led to a posting for a full-time teaching position at Snow College. After reading the requirements and qualifications, I knew that I was a perfect fit. After showing the posting to my wife, I updated my resume and CV, gathered up letters of recommendation, and submitted my application.
For the past five months, all my wife and I had been praying for was to get this opportunity. Finally, in mid-April, I was asked to go to the Snow College campus for and interview and teaching demonstration. This was it! I felt great about my interview, I met with the athletic director and made arrangements so I could help out with the athletic department, and I totally nailed my teaching demo. I felt great about it. So great, in fact, that my wife found us a place to live and everything.
And then it happened.
Two weeks later the Snow College HR representative called and informed me that I got the job. All that hard work, fasting, and praying had paid off.
Or so we thought.
After the initial excitement of receiving a job offer, I had this sinking feeling that I shouldn’t accept it. I pushed this feeling aside and dismissed it as nothing more than the nerves of accepting my first full-time teaching position. But after praying and praying about it, I knew that I shouldn’t accept it. Selfishly, I was going to ignore the answer I received from the Spirit and accept the offer because I need something to support my family. It wasn’t until my wife told me that she had reservations about accepting the position that I finally had the courage to turn it down.
It was absolutely the most frightening thing I have ever done. I kept thinking, “Am I really turning down a great job when I have literally nothing else lined up?” Even though it felt irresponsible as a provider, I knew that I was making the right choice because I was following the promptings I received.
After acting on those promptings, the most amazing thing happened. It wasn’t more than a few hours later that I was called and asked to interview for an administrative position at my alma mater, Brigham Young University-Idaho.
This was huge.
My career ambition is to end up at BYU-Idaho. My wife and I loved our time in Rexburg, Idaho and desperately want to raise our girls in a place like Rexburg because of the strong morals of the community. This admin position would enable me to mentor and work with students and also teach online adjunct. It is everything I wanted from the start.
After completing a Skype interview (in the middle of Portland International Airport, no less), I was asked to travel to Rexburg for a final interview. It was a crazy few days, to say the least, but the interviews went relatively well. I felt fairly good as I left the office, especially as I was immediately greeted by my loving wife and beautiful daughters. The search committee informed me that I would hear back from them within a week.
As my family and I travel back home today, I am at peace. I have no promises or guarantees from BYU-Idaho. I have no idea if I’ll get the job or not. But one thing I do know is that I listened to the Spirit and followed the promptings that I’ve received. Even if I don’t get the job at BYU-Idaho, I am so grateful for being reminded that I have a loving Father in Heaven who has guided me this far. He is still guiding me and I know He will lead me to the place that He wants me to be.
Hayden Coombs 