Episode 35

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Published on:

2nd Jul 2025

Called & Becoming: Embracing Your Kingdom Assignment

This week on the podcast, we’re diving into what it means to embrace your assignment in this season—and how God is shaping you into the woman He created you to be.

Here’s what we unpack in this episode:

  • Why your “yes” to God is only the beginning
  • How closed doors and delays can be divine redirections
  • Real stories from my teaching journey of God’s timing and setups
  • Why surrendering your plans for His will lead you into purpose
  • The truth that He can grow us right where we feel least qualified

Reflection Prompts (in your Companion Journal this week):

  • Where am I still trying to control the outcome instead of surrendering it to God?
  • What doors has God closed that I need to release and trust Him with?
  • What assignment has God given me in this season, and how am I showing up to steward it?

Want to go deeper? Your FREE Carried by Grace Companion Journal includes these prompts plus extra space to reflect, pray, and respond this week. Download your FREE Carried by Grace Companion Journal

Transcript
Speaker A:

Hello and welcome back to the Transformational Teacher podcast.

Speaker A:

I am your host, detoya and thank you so much for taking out the time to listen to this episode.

Speaker A:

We are on week four of our Carried by Grace journey.

Speaker A:

We have talked about beginning again, finding peace in the storm and growth in the messy middle.

Speaker A:

Today we are going to talk about our assignment.

Speaker A:

What God has called us to do in this season.

Speaker A:

He and the journey of becoming the woman he created us to be.

Speaker A:

We want to keep our eyes on his plans, not on our own plans.

Speaker A:

So we're going to go back to:

Speaker A:

This, yes, marked the beginning of a transformative journey that at that time I, I didn't know what was about to happen.

Speaker A:

But oh boy, I'm thankful that I said yes.

Speaker A:

And like I've shared earlier in other episodes, saying yes, it doesn't mean the road is easy.

Speaker A:

It means God will walk with you.

Speaker A:

He will refine you, he will comfort you.

Speaker A:

He will reveal things to you step by step as he needs to.

Speaker A:

But here's the thing.

Speaker A:

We have to be willing to follow him.

Speaker A:

Even when it doesn't make sense, we have to follow Him.

Speaker A:

Now let's go to:

Speaker A:

And the reason why I'm going to hit on this year is because this is the year I was already teaching.

Speaker A:

I was a TA in a pre K classroom in a child care center.

Speaker A:

But I applied for a lead teacher role because I really wanted to be that lead teacher.

Speaker A:

But here's the thing, I didn't get the position because I was told that my communication with parents, that it wasn't where it needed to be, that I needed to grow in that area.

Speaker A:

And honestly I was upset.

Speaker A:

I didn't understand why.

Speaker A:

But as I look back on it, I'm thankful that they told me no because it wasn't the right time.

Speaker A:

Because in those years I grew in my communicating with parents.

Speaker A:

And as I look at it now, I'm like God, the parents I have had, I see why I needed to grow my communication skills.

Speaker A:

s the thing, Also December of:

Speaker A:

So I went from wanting to take over someone else's classroom, which was my plan.

Speaker A:

But God knew that know later on when she's ready, I'm going to have her to open up her own NC pre K classroom.

Speaker A:

and if I had forced my way in:

Speaker A:

Then in:

Speaker A:

The director over the partnership, she recommended me for this position.

Speaker A:

She helped me along the journey to apply for this position.

Speaker A:

She prepared me for this position and I got the job.

Speaker A:

Each of these moments, they were not coincidences, they were divine setups because God.

Speaker B:

Knew I need to get her in.

Speaker A:

This other county so then I can get her to this position to where she can walk into that public school setting.

Speaker A:

So again, God's plans are always better than ours.

Speaker A:

Because if again, if I would have gotten that lead position back at my old school, I would have never met this director.

Speaker B:

That gave me the opportunity to walk.

Speaker A:

Into the public school setting so God knew exactly who I needed to be.

Speaker B:

Connected to and where I needed to.

Speaker A:

Be planted at point this, that time.

Speaker A:

And here's what I've learned.

Speaker B:

Our plans aren't always God's plans.

Speaker A:

And when we try to control everything.

Speaker B:

We often end up delaying or messing.

Speaker A:

Up what he already ordained.

Speaker B:

That's why when I find myself even.

Speaker A:

Now trying to make things happen on.

Speaker B:

My own, I have to pause and pray.

Speaker A:

Lord, I surrender.

Speaker B:

I release my control and I give it back to you.

Speaker B:

And I encourage you to do the same.

Speaker A:

Surrender to God.

Speaker B:

Stop trying to control things on your own.

Speaker B:

Stop trying to work those things out.

Speaker B:

Give it to Him.

Speaker B:

Give him full control.

Speaker B:

Allow him to guide and direct your footsteps.

Speaker B:

Follow him because his way is always better.

Speaker B:

When you surrender, he aligns you with what's ahead.

Speaker B:

His plans will always exceed what you.

Speaker A:

Could do in your on your own.

Speaker B:

Proverbs 3, 5:6.

Speaker B:

It says, Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding in all your ways.

Speaker B:

Know and acknowledge and recognize him and he will make your path straight and smooth, removing obstacles that block your way.

Speaker B:

And as I stated in previous episodes, before I ever said yes at the altar, before I ever stepped into that class room, God had already said yes to me.

Speaker B:

He had my path planned out.

Speaker B:

He knew this was the assignment that he had for me.

Speaker B:

He knew.

Speaker B:

He assigned me to classrooms so I can impact the lives of the students that are in my classroom so I can impact the lives of my co workers.

Speaker B:

He planned that for Me I had to come in alignment with him cuz Ephesians 1, 45 says just as in his love he chose us in Christ actually selected us for for Himself as His own before the foundation of the world he predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as His own children.

Speaker B:

In Ephesians 2, 10 says for we are his workmanship, his own masterwork, a work of art created in Christ Jesus, reborn from above, spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used for good works when which God prepared for us beforehand, taking paths which he set so that we will walk in them.

Speaker B:

So again we want to follow his path cuz he already has it planned out for us, we have to come in alignment.

Speaker B:

So this goes for you also before you ever said yes to him he already had it mapped out for your good works, your assignments and even every open and closed door shaping you today.

Speaker B:

So when you feel unqualified, open, overlooked or stuck, remember this.

Speaker B:

You are called, you are chosen and God has a plan for you.

Speaker B:

He wants you to come into alignment.

Speaker B:

So again you have to come into alignment with what God has planned for you.

Speaker B:

Give up your plans for his plans because again his plans are greater.

Speaker B:

So again do what God tells you to do.

Speaker B:

And now that I look back at it I see that God grew me where I didn't feel qualified.

Speaker B:

He grew me in those seasons where I was still that ta cuz he knew what was coming for me as I became that lead teacher.

Speaker B:

And I tell you since I've been a lead teacher there has some been some things that has taken place to where I have had to communicate with parents like I never thought I would had.

Speaker B:

And again looking back I see clearly.

Speaker B:

God didn't wait for me to feel ready.

Speaker A:

He didn't wait for me to have it all together.

Speaker A:

But the thing was he started growing me right where I was at.

Speaker A:

Because even now when things come up I have to go to him and say God what we gonna do?

Speaker A:

He even planted me at a T because he knew that is where I was going to get connected to building lives.

Speaker A:

He placed me in the classrooms where I had no choice but depend on to depend on Him.

Speaker A:

And it was in those very places that I saw his strength made perfect in my weakness.

Speaker A:

Here's what I know now.

Speaker A:

Sometimes growth doesn't look glamorous.

Speaker A:

It looks like staying planted when you want to run.

Speaker A:

And it looks like showing up when you feel unqualified.

Speaker A:

It looks like trusting that God called you anyway.

Speaker A:

Maybe you're in this season where you're questioning your path.

Speaker A:

Maybe you're wondering if the delays are denials or if the closed doors means you're not called.

Speaker A:

Let me remind you, delay does not mean denied.

Speaker A:

Closed doors can be divine redirections.

Speaker A:

He can have something better for you.

Speaker A:

God's timing is perfect.

Speaker A:

His plans will prosper you.

Speaker A:

Embrace the process, trust the journey, and know every step is shaping you to become the woman God has called you to be.

Speaker A:

Stay in his word.

Speaker A:

Allow his word to renew your mindset.

Speaker A:

Allow his word to guide and direct your path.

Speaker A:

Again, trust in Him.

Speaker A:

So this is it for this episode.

Speaker A:

Make sure you go and download the Carried by Grace companion journal for this week.

Speaker A:

Well, you'll reflect on where am I still trying to control the outcome instead of surrendering to God.

Speaker A:

What doors has God closed that I need to release and trust him with?

Speaker A:

What assignment has God given me in this season and how am I showing up to steward it?

Speaker A:

And plus, there's a few extra prompts for you in the journal, so make sure you head to thetransformationalteacher.com to grab it.

Speaker A:

And I'll also drop the link in the show notes.

Speaker A:

Well, let's pray.

Speaker A:

Well, Heavenly Father, we thank you right now.

Speaker A:

We thank you Lord, just for who you are.

Speaker A:

We thank you for your goodness.

Speaker A:

We thank you for your love.

Speaker A:

We thank you for your faithfulness, Lord God we surrender, Lord God.

Speaker A:

Our plans, Lord God over to you we trust, Lord God, that your plans, Lord God, are better.

Speaker A:

We thank you, Lord God, for the things that you pre arranged, Lord God for us, Lord God.

Speaker A:

We thank you, Lord God that we're coming in alignment, Lord God with your plans, Lord God.

Speaker A:

We're walking along the pathway that you have for us.

Speaker A:

We thank you Father, for removing those obstacles.

Speaker A:

Out of our way, Lord God.

Speaker A:

We thank you, Lord God, that we'll go through the refining process we'll go through the pruning process, Lord God so we can bear forth much more fruit, Lord God.

Speaker A:

In the assignment you have placed us in, Lord.

Speaker A:

And we thank you, Lord God, that you equip us along this journey, Lord God.

Speaker A:

And again we trust you, Lord God.

Speaker A:

We surrender to you, Lord God.

Speaker A:

And we thank you for your peace, Lord God, being with us every step of the way.

Speaker A:

And we give you honor and we give you glory.

Speaker A:

In Jesus name I pray.

Speaker A:

Amen.

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About the Podcast

The Transformational Teacher Podcast
Conversations With Jesus
The Transformational Teacher Podcast -Conversations with Jesus
Does having a relationship with God truly change everything? As Christian women, we carry so much—teaching, leading, loving, serving—and it’s easy to feel weary, overwhelmed, or unsure of the next step. But what if you didn’t have to carry it alone?

Welcome to Conversations with Jesus, a space where we pause to hear God’s heart for us in every season. Whether you’re a teacher, mother, leader, or woman simply longing to grow closer to Jesus, this podcast will encourage you to trust Him deeper, walk in His grace, and embrace your Kingdom purpose with confidence and peace.

I’m D’Toya Dove, Christian teacher, coach, and host of this podcast. For years, I tried to do it all in my own strength—until God showed me that partnering with Him changes everything. Each episode is filled with honest reflections, faith-filled encouragement, scripture-based truths, and real conversations with Jesus to strengthen your faith journey and transform your life from the inside out.

Here, you’ll find:
• Spiritual encouragement for everyday life
• Faith reflections that connect your personal, teaching, and leadership journey
• Practical ways to live out your calling with joy, peace, and purpose
• Moments of prayer to realign your heart with God’s truth

Join me as we grow together—one conversation with Jesus at a time.

About your host

Profile picture for DToya Dove

DToya Dove

Hi, I’m D’Toya Dove, the host of The Transformational Teacher Podcast!

I’m a Christian Teacher, podcast host, and the founder of The Transformational Teacher, where I empower educators to grow in their faith, embrace self-care, and adopt a Kingdom Growth Mindset to unlock joy and peace. With over 16 years of experience as a Pre-K teacher, I understand the joys and challenges of teaching firsthand—and I’ve experienced how transformational it can be to invite God into every part of our journey.

Through my 15 Kingdom Keys Framework, I guide educators to align their teaching with God’s purpose, helping them discover peace and joy in the classroom and beyond. But I want you to know, I’m walking this path with you. Every day, I’m learning to trust God more, lean into His strength, and find balance between faith, teaching, and life.

Whether it’s through faith-filled encouragement, practical strategies, or self-care tips, my mission is to help you thrive as a teacher and make a lasting Kingdom impact.

Join me as we journey together to teach with joy, peace, and purpose—one step at a time!