Transitions are Hard

Brittney Burton
Nov 2 · 5 min read

For the past year and a half, I’ve been working at LifeWay Christian Store in Kennesaw. Unfortunately, most LifeWay stores have closed with the rest set to close later this month. My store’s last day is today. This transition has led me to reflect on how much I’ve grown and how thankful I am for what God has done during this time.

The job impacted me in so many ways, that I am only just now realizing, even as I process the transition through writing this blog post. I started working at LifeWay when I was in a rut in my relationship with the Lord, but every day I came to work, I was able to share with customers what God has done in my life, which pushed me to draw closer to Him again.

Thankfully, the job at LifeWay allowed me to work summer camp and go on mission trips and still have job when I got back. However, after spending a few months in Brazil, returning was very hard. I found myself asking “Why am I here (in America)?” “What impact can I make here?” And after every hard day at work, as I walked out to the parking lot, I would whisper to myself, “Mas algum dia” (or, “But someday”) — from John 13:7, meaning right now I don’t understand what God’s doing, but someday I will. (from previous blog post titled “But Someday”)

You see, coming back from Brazil, I thought I was going to live there once I finished college, so naturally, I didn’t want to be in America. However, through working at LifeWay, my eyes were opened to the fact that Marietta, GA is now considered the hub for Brazilians in the United States. The result of this huge Brazilian population was that Brazilians would frequently come to the store. I found myself running into Brazilians at least once every shift. I got to share my experiences from the past summer, and talk about Jesus, and they would invite me to their churches. I truly believe this was God’s way of showing me why I was here, and that I didn’t need to live somewhere else in order to do ministry.

I had the privilege of doing story time on some mornings with kids, as well as helping with crafts and other activities. I was paid to do ministry, which was a huge blessing and something I’m very thankful for.

In the mornings on some days, we would have a Bible Study and craft for kids. Here we made cards for Valentine’s Day.

I’ve met coworkers who have listened to me ramble about my life and my problems, extended me invitations to church when I didn’t have a church home, and encouraged me to explore what it would look like to start going to therapy. (Not to mention their reading suggestions for what books I should buy!) My coworkers were people who did life with me, who didn’t judge me when I would buy more books that I don’t really need, who I’m going to miss catching up with each week.

One coworker in particular is my favorite, but everyone knows that already. Through working at LifeWay, I met my best friend, my boyfriend Adam. And it was really hard this past week, knowing that we’ll never be able to revisit a place that was so important for the beginning of our relationship.

I’ve changed a lot since I first started working at LifeWay, but I know it’s for the better. I’ve changed my major twice; I’ve pushed back my graduation date; I’ve realized what it means to do ministry where you are; I’ve met someone really special who means the world to me. (It was very interesting at the store when Adam and I first started dating).

The picture on the left is the only picture I have of Adam in his LifeWay shirt.

A huge blessing during this time of transition is that I was able to get a job, which I started at this past week. It allows for a seamless transition from old to new. I’ve spent most of my paychecks buying books at LifeWay, so I’m looking forward to being able to share these books and resources in the coming years. (And I now work at a bank, so I can no longer spend my money while I work.) When customers came in towards the end, I would share how I’m stocking up books for the next five years. (Which is actually quite plausible with the amount of daily devotionals I have, because it’s not like you’re going to read five different devotionals each day.)

As a creature of habit who doesn’t like change, I would much rather drive my 8 minute commute to the store to be there at 8:45 on Monday morning for work, browse the Bible section, looking longingly at the Study Bibles that I don’t need, just to have someone walk in and ask me what my favorite Women’s Bible Study is (It’s Finding I Am by Lysa Terkeurst).

I’ve learned about authors and Bible translations and how to imprint Bibles. I’ve learned what resources are best for a wife who’s just lost her husband of 60+ years. I’ve learned which devotionals would be best for someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet. I’ve been able to buy devotionals for my friends who have never had one before. I’ve been able to recommend books for people who have just lost one of their parents. But now it’s time for me to share my knowledge with the world. Not just my friends and my family, but my new coworkers who might not know Jesus. For the clients at my new job, where my impact will be much less forward than “Can I tell you how faithful God’s been in my life?”

So I’d like to say thank you, to the people: the customers who have become friends and the coworkers who have become family. Thank you for helping me grow into the person I am today. Transitions are hard, but God has his hand in everything.

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