On Leaving and On Looking Ahead to the Uncomfortable Unknown

Yesterday I posted a picture of me packing up my office. And several of you guys were like, “Um, what?!?” So here’s a little bit of what’s been happening in my life and in my heart.

A week or so ago I resigned from my role as COO and Strategist of the IF:Gathering.

Yep. BIG change. And so many feelings — I’m simultaneously excited, petrified, sad, overwhelmed, and peaceful. SO MANY FEELINGS.

A little bit of background, late last summer after a trip to Israel {to use some cheesy God language because I don’t really have other words for it} God began doing some work on me and in me. Through friends, through strangers, through a deep sense of just knowing, I realized, “a change is gonna come.” {Thanks Sam Cooke for the words.} I sat down with Jennie and began conversations about what’s next for me, and for IF:Gathering. I had realized a few things about myself that affirmed my need for change:

I love launching things.
I love working with corporations and/or globally-minded NGOs.
I love working with men and in co-ed environments.

I committed to working through IF:Gathering 2017 and then I spent the rest of the February on sabbatical — grieving, celebrating, and beginning to dream about what God is calling me to in this next season.

I came back from sabbatical with absolute clarity on one thing. The time for me to transition is now. And unfortunately for my plan-loving-self, that’s all I know with any certainty at this time.

I am not sure what is ahead, professionally or personally. I am not sure if this job change will lead to a move back to Nashville or if I will remain here in Austin. I am going to take some time, do some listening and some learning, and some waiting until there is more clarity on the right next steps.

One of the things I needed in this season is more clarity on my strengths, my giftedness, and my unique skills and passions. So I have spent some time with Bill Hendricks at The Giftedness Center . He affirmed what I’ve known but not been able to put words to, “you were born to create community and build culture. You are an architect of affiliation. You gather tribes of kindred spirits whose collective energy has the potential to unite movements and transform the world around them.”

I’ve had the immense honor of getting to be a part of just that for the last six years building and working with IF:Gathering. Moving forward, I hope I can continue to be a part of movements that shape individuals, and the world.

I am grateful for you for following along on my crazy journey. Thank you for being friends and confidants, for being encouragers and listening ears. You give me strength to keep on keeping on. If you are pray-ers, I would covet your prayers during this season. Pray that I’ll be wise, courageous, and patient, that I’ll keep listening and learning, that I’ll be open-handed and open-hearted.

More to come…

{Photo by Esther Havens}

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Lindsey has a sincere love for her precious dogs Molly and Maisy, a good red wine and the Delta Sky Club.

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