Let me share my powerful journey from coma recovery to classroom presence, showing how God’s detours are often divine redirections—especially when it comes to our calling.
Teaching Isn’t My Job—It’s My Purpose
Tomorrow begins a new academic year in my district, and as I prepare, I’m feeling two things at once: excitement and uncertainty.
Physically, I’m still healing.
Mentally, I’m trying to pace myself.
But spiritually?
I know I’m walking in purpose—even if it wasn’t my plan.
“Is That by Choice?”
A stranger I met through a game app—Words with Friends—recently asked me what I do for work.
I said, “Substitute teacher.”
He followed up: “Is that by choice?”
Without hesitation, I replied:
“No, it’s God’s plan.”
And that’s when it hit me.
It really is.
My Childhood Dream Looked Different
At 10 years old, I thought I had life all figured out:
- Become a teacher
- Get married
- Have two kids
Fast forward—I’m in my forties:
- ONE amazing child
- NEVER married
- A Master’s in Education… but not a certified teacher (yet)
- And to be honest? I don’t know if I ever will be.
Why?
Because teaching was never supposed to be a job.
It was meant to be a part of my healing and God’s greater plan.
Life After the Coma Changed Everything
Six months after receiving my degree, I went into a coma due to complications from Sickle Cell Disease.
That was September 9, 2014.
The weekend before, I had just finished ESL training to volunteer with the Spanish-speaking community. I had plans to work in Human Resources or adult education.
I had plans.
But God had purpose.
God Redirected Me
After the coma, I tried to pick up where I left off.
I thought I could just “take my life back.”
But rejection met me at every turn.
Job doors slammed.
Applications unanswered.
Confidence broken.
So I cried out, frustrated and confused:
“Why would You let me go through all that schooling, all that effort—for nothing?”
And heaven replied—not with a job offer—but with a lesson:
Let go of your plans. Let Me guide your steps.
Then Came the Email…
One day, I received an email about orientation for substitute teaching.
Oddly enough, I didn’t even remember applying.
All I needed was to bring my transcript.
I showed up.
And just like that—I had a job.
A job I never dreamed of.
A job I wasn’t sure I even wanted.
But a job that ended up being the very thing I needed.
Where Healing Meets Purpose
Working with kids helped me recover cognitively.
Their joy became my therapy.
Their curiosity became my classroom.
Despite the brain damage, the pain, and the slow recovery—God used the classroom to rebuild me.
Now, I’m heading into my fourth school year as a substitute teacher.
Still not certified.
Still healing.
Still asking questions.
But still showing up.
What I Know for Sure
I don’t know where this road leads.
But I do know:
- I was the reason someone didn’t give up.
- I made a child laugh or feel seen.
- I helped someone get through a tough day.
And even though I’ve heard students and teachers say those things to me—I believe there are more “someones” I’m meant to reach.
One More Surgery. One More Step.
This school year, I won’t be able to do as much.
Another surgery awaits me.
But I will do as much as my body allows.
Because purpose doesn’t pause.
And healing doesn’t mean I’m done.
It means I’m growing through it all.
Final Thought
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21
I may not have MY plans anymore.
But I have God’s—and that’s more than enough.
EACH ONE REACH ONE TEACH ONE
Phoenix: Live Love Laugh 
Leave a comment