Why I Left My ‘Good Job’ Without a Backup Plan—Because God Said So
What if God told you to leave your secure, full-time job and trust Him completely? Would you do it?
Flashback to 2019, three years in my position as a Health Educator, things were going great. I was working tirelessly, teetering on the edge of burnout and compassion fatigue, but I felt deeply motivated by the meaningful work I was doing in my community. I was able to help my clients with the knowledge I had gained through my job: I became a certified lactation educator, a doula, and a child passenger safety technician (a fancy term for car seat installer).
But imagine being in a job where you see no growth; you don’t want to be in charge, stuck in an office doing reports all day. The politics of corporate America can be so frustrating. All the judgment, favoritism, and senseless bureaucracy were too much for me.
Fast forward to 2020: the pandemic hit, and the world shut down. Before sheltering in place, our team had a meeting where a few of us devised a plan to connect with our clients virtually. No one ever predicted we would be inside for two years, fighting over toilet paper. What we thought would be a few weeks, maybe a month, turned into a roller coaster of emotions and uncertainty. It was as if God forced us all to sit down, reflect, and rest. We all know how to work extremely hard, and this was no different.
Around this time, I had just broken up with my long-term boyfriend and decided to start an online MPH program—because why not? No need to let my brain go to mush or face my feelings, right? 🙃 I knew how to stay busy! My colleagues did too. On our days off, we would get together, dream, and imagine how we could make our mark in the health industry.
By December 2021, I graduated with my MPH. It was go time, God made it clear that the time had come. He gave us the dream and vision for our business now it was time to go. My colleagues and I pressed "play" on forming a general partnership and began the process of creating a nonprofit organization. We went from a general partnership to an LLC (0/10 would not recommend!) and started to put the pieces together. Then, in March 2022, what started off as the three of us, quickly changed. Once things started to become real, our friend had to part ways due to personal matters. The funny thing is that God told me this would happen three months prior but told me not to say anything and just let things play out as they were. We are all still very supportive of one another and love each other dearly. Not everyone is ready for the journey that God has us on. I didn't even know I was ready—but here we are!
While praying about a trip I was planning for my mom’s birthday, God told me, I heard clear as day, "You’re not coming back." I thought, “Excuse me?! Now, Lord, what does that mean? Am I about to die?!” God replied, "No, silly! You’re not coming back to your job." I was shocked and stunned. We had been thinking we would establish the business later; we didn't know when we would leave our jobs. But God had other plans and told me my mom's birthday in July would mark my last day at work.
The Leap
So, July 22, 2022, was my last day of work. I was excited, thinking, "God is about to blow us up! We're going to make so much money! This is great!" He gave us this business and nonprofit, and I believed everything would fall into place. Money everywhere, right? I was excited to embark on a journey I never imagined possible.
Oh, how wrong I was. I was thrown into the fire (and I’m still there, to be honest). By January 2023, we had no clientele after cashing out everything (retirement, savings, etc.). We had built everything legitimately and were just waiting for clients, but no one came. We developed our website, branded ourselves, posted on social media, and offered free events, but no one invested. God stripped me of so many things: my titles, my position, my education, my finances, and, at times, my sanity. It is only by His grace and mercy that I am here today. The main message and word of encouragement I have learned through this journey is this: He is my provider. Not man, not my job, not the money in my account (or lack thereof). He is the one in charge and in control. I thought I was on a journey to riches, but all along, I was on a journey of refinement, stripping, character development, and obedience. This has been the toughest season of trust, faith, and hope, and I am still learning. It is not easy, but God has never failed me.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
The Breakthrough
It wasn't until August 2023 that we met our first client. There were a lot of emails and calls, but we finally got the job, which didn't start until November 2023. Sixteen months without a client does a lot to a person’s faith and confidence. There were plenty of times when we had questioned if this really was from God. Again, during those sixteen months of changing, pivoting, and trying different ideas, God used the time to develop us, stripping away our reliance on money and building our character. It was incredibly challenging, especially for me as a single woman living at home with her mother. My business partner, who is married with two children, also faced stress as they transitioned from a two-income household to one.
During this period, God did significant internal work in us, but especially me. He removed people and ideas and revealed much about my insecurities, fears, and doubts. He brought me into a bigger community full of believers, allowing us to support others on similar journeys and be transparent about the difficulties of truly trusting God. It often felt crazy to have left a job for an uncertain business, but I was continually encouraged by our community and prayer.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 (NIV)
Starting Over
Our first client contract ended in March 2024, and once again, we found ourselves without work. Now what? We did what we knew, we returned to the grind, contacting old contacts and sending emails about our services.
God is funny and on time!
April 2024, one of the many emails sent out was to someone at the state level of our previous employer, and we got a response. She wanted to meet with us to learn more about our business. When we explained what we did and how we used to work for the program not so long ago, we knew the roles and what the employees were experiencing on a personal level, which sealed the deal for us.
You can’t convince me that wasn’t God. T
his connection led to a statewide training opportunity in June 2024, allowing us to come full circle.
Just the Beginning
In less than two years, God has shown us His intentionality and care. It may be hard and hectic at the moment, but He is sufficient, brilliant, and all-knowing. We are STILL on the grind, building our confidence and equipping ourselves for what God has in store for us. It is still not easy or consistent, AND God is still good!
Looking back, I realize that God did call us to start this business to leave our full-time jobs—something we wouldn't have done otherwise. This journey has been a blessing, giving me the freedom I always prayed for despite financial challenges; I am truly living the life of my dreams minus the financial aspect. I am doing what I love and feel like it’s what I’ve been called to do, I've been able to be present with my family during difficult times, grow in community, and travel in ways I couldn't have if I were still working a 9-to-5 job. I know I am made for more, AND this is just the beginning.
Friend, I know it is hard, but if God has called you to step out, do it. Don’t wait for Him to force you out; walk out willingly. Even if I had stayed out of comfort, I would have had to answer for and deal with the consequences of staying. For anyone reading this who feels that same tug, lean into God. This journey is not easy—it requires suffering, endurance, and perseverance—but God is faithful. He has taught me that I truly lack nothing and that He is my provider. Trust Him fully, surround yourself with a godly community, and continue to walk this journey.
If you need prayer or someone to walk with you, please reach out to me at hello@cocoabloomlife.com
I would be glad and honored to support you in the journey God has called you to be on.
With Love,
Leandra
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (NIV)
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