In April of 2002, I had just turned 22 and was about to graduate from my midwest Christian college with a degree in "Film", and I was lost. I was lost, because I was facing a one month countdown to graduation and had determined I wasn't meant for the film industry. I'd lived in Hollywood for a semester and had zero interest in returning. Now what? My professor told me whatever I did, that he saw me as a "Storyteller" and that if I found a way to tell stories, that I would likely be happy.
Romans 12 was my guiding passage. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world…"
I could join the Chicago film "scene" (which I did for a short stint). I could write sketch comedy and perform improv (which I did till it wore me out). I could escape to a cruise line job and write trivias, bingo-calling jokes, and a blog about awful passengers (which got the wanderlust out of my system). I could redirect my path through grad school (which I did at Denver Seminary years later). And, I could try to propel my film skills into another type of job (which I ended up doing years later on staff at a nonprofit as a Communications Director).
Psalm 139 was my guiding passage. "You have searched me Lord, and you know me."
In May of 2023, I left my job for the unknown. It started as freelance work, but I couldn't get my act together to pursue clients – I'm awful at networking. The "unknown" was a low-risk place for me to focus on my kids moving up into Middle School (insert terrified eyes emoji) and helping my Dad care for my mom's worsening dementia. I missed having a title and a team and reason to put real clothes on. It also meant having to find ways to "tell stories" through different ways. I worried that maybe I was "washed up".
Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer) has been my guiding passage. "His Kingdom Come…"
And then I was invited to join the "Daily" team.
In less than a year, I've found friends, a deep connection to the Word, and a way to be a storyteller again. It's bittersweet to pause my contribution in this next season; however, if my life could testify, God is telling a great story with this next "unknown". His faithfulness has found me when I've been lost, when I've been grieving, when I've been impatient, and when I've been anxious. My prayer for this team is that they would feel blessed by sharing God's story – I know I have. My prayer for (you) readers is that you would be blessed by what God will inevitably use to speak to you moving forward. He's so good at finding us and meeting us in our busyness and loneliness.
Psalm 143:8 is my final prayer for all of you (and us!)
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Amen.
by Kris Thulson
