Every bud is a quiet prelude to the promise of a radiant bloom.

It is over.

A period of over 1,000 days – beginning with a season of rest and followed by a season of waiting – has finally ended. I have emerged from the waiting room.

This year, not only have I returned to the workplace, but I have also made a significant career change. I have traded my power dressing and commanding presence in hotel management, a career I once thrived in, for something entirely different.

I have joined a care centre as non-medical support, providing companionship services for seniors – accompanying them to medical appointments or simply taking them out for a meal, a cup of tea, or a heartfelt conversation. Many elderly individuals live alone or have children residing overseas. Even for those with children nearby, family commitments may keep them busy. When support, companionship and assistance are needed, I step in to be there for them.

Transitioning into this completely new profession did not happen overnight. Looking back, I can see God’s hand at work from the very beginning of my three-year break. He had been preparing me all along, stirring my heart through the palliative care I provided for my mum, the support I gave an elderly friend by accompanying her to medical reviews and surgeries, and even the equipping courses I took on inner healing and deliverance. None of these experiences were random; each had a purpose in His plan.

When my season of rest came to an end, I heard God’s call to wait and allow Him to unfold His plan. And so, I found myself in the waiting room. There, I learned to wait and trust, without knowing how long the wait would be or where I would be led, and to do so without fretting.

Just as I began to catch a glimpse of the journey ahead, the Lord revealed another lesson I needed to learn before stepping onto this new path – I had to humble myself. My past glories and achievements would hold no weight in this role, and I had to accept that my previous career was now a closed chapter. I was starting afresh, learning a new trade, and it was crucial that I step forward with a compassionate and humble heart, to serve.

I welcome the change of no longer being desk-bound, tackling stressful operational and human resource challenges, or making major decisions. My work now takes me out and about, allowing me to connect with others in a more meaningful way. When needed, I also support our centre by meeting with families in need of caregiving solutions for their elderly loved ones, offering a word of encouragement or a prayer. During my free moments, I enjoy casual chit-chats with some of the residents at our centre while honing my skills in conversing with elderly individuals living with dementia.

My learning continues as I journey, not looking back to Egypt with longing or regret, as in the story of Exodus, but walking in faith along the path set before me. Each day brings new lessons, whether in patience, empathy, or the simple yet profound act of being present for someone in need. I am learning to listen, not just to words, but to the emotions unspoken.

In this new season, I walk with confidence, trusting that I am exactly where I am meant to be and knowing that every step is shaping me for the work I have been called to do.

This is a season of becoming!

The wind at my back, the past in its place, I rise to embrace all that awaits.