This is our final blog for the year, and it feels fitting to close 2025 by reflecting on what happens when God is preparing us for something bigger than we prayed for not just for us, but for our children and the generations coming behind us.
Recently, while a friend shared the third principle of Kwanzaa in our group chat, I was reminded of a moment from five years ago. We recorded my son, Aziel, speaking in church about Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) the importance of building and maintaining our own businesses and profiting from them together. Even then, the message was clear: ownership creates change. Without it, our children risk repeating the same cycles.
@knowledgeforlifeyouth Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) — to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and businesses, and to profit from them together. Even then, the message was clear. Having our own businesses is how we create real change for our families. Without ownership, without cooperation, our children are at risk of repeating the same cycles. This is how cycles are broken. Not just with words—but with vision, unity, and action. #values#business#knowledgeforlifekids#nextgeneration#love♬ original sound – knowledgeforlife youth
That moment, paired with watching my children being curious, future-forward, playing with robots, and exploring science kits, has helped me see something more clearly. Preparing children for the future isn’t just about tools or education. It’s about who we become while God is preparing us.
This reflection ties directly into the Lessons Learned During 2025, because the way God prepared me is an indication of how He prepares the next generation: slowly, intentionally, and often through disruption.
When Preparation Didn’t Look Like Progress
When I came to the U.S. about six years ago, I couldn’t find a job.
I came with a PhD, international work experience, and a strong academic background—biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry. At first, I was selective. I wanted a job close to home so I could be near my son’s school. After a while, I wasn’t picky anymore.
I just wanted a job.
This was during COVID. Jobs were popping up everywhere—testing centers, labs, short-term scientific roles that didn’t even require a PhD. I could have done many of those jobs easily. However, still nothing.
What do we do when nothing is working as it should?
God had sat me down. He closed the doors to jobs.
At the beginning of my job search, I heard a small voice say, “Do not look for a job.” I wrestled with that. We’re taught that hard work is everything—“by the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread,” Genesis 3:19. But that was spoken as a curse, not a promise. Were we meant to live under a curse after salvation?
So I sought God.
After prayer, fasting, and waiting, I heard Him again—clearly, unmistakably:
Write the book.
My son was away for the holidays for one month. In that one month, I wrote the book. Then I heard again: start a blog. And I did.
Still, nothing seemed to move.
But now I understand: I wasn’t being delayed. I was being prepared. I had to go through the process.
Seven Lessons Learned While God Prepares Us for More
1. Rejection Is Redirection
I applied everywhere. I followed up. I revised my CV. Nothing opened.
At the time, it felt humiliating. But looking back, I see mercy.
Had I gotten a job, I would have clung to it tightly because of the superficial safety it offered. My time, energy, and creativity would have been consumed. Building a business, or even hearing God clearly, would have felt impossible.
I couldn’t get a job not because I wasn’t qualified, but because God needed my full attention. Rejection stripped away my dependence on systems and forced me back into surrender. Eventually, I did begin consulting in tech, this gave me freedom and flexibility as it is remote.
Lesson: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33, ESV.
2. Right People, Right Place, Right Time
I once believed Canada was the destination. It wasn’t.
It was preparation.
Canada shaped me. It stretched me. It refined parts of my thinking. But I still had to move again, this time to the U.S., and then pause long enough to get situated internally, not just geographically.
I’ve learned that dreams are seasonal. We may receive the dream in one season, work on it quietly in another, and only see fruit much later.
When we rush, we partner with the wrong people. When we wait, God works within us to become who we were meant to be, then we attract those assigned to the vision.
Lesson: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: Ecclesiastes 3:1
3. Attitude Opens Doors Talent Can’t
My children are talented—there’s no question. But one day I had to ask myself: are they humble?
That question took me back to my own childhood. I didn’t know my strengths then, but I also didn’t know humility. I preferred to work alone. When asked to study in groups, I declined. I thought, why do we need to? Just read.
People interpreted that as secrecy, but it was really pride.
In developed countries especially, many people are equally qualified. Degrees alone don’t distinguish us. What often sets us apart is attitude, how teachable we are, how we respond to correction, how we treat others under pressure, and how sociable we are.
God—and people—watch how we steward small ideas before entrusting us with bigger ones. Can we handle the weight of a big calling when we dismiss smaller assignments because they do not live up to our expectation?
Lesson: Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:14-15 CEB.
4. Serve While We Wait
While I was waiting, I served.
In church, I worked on the media team, served at the food bank, and prayed as an intercessor. None of it came with a title or paycheck.
This wasn’t easy. Culturally, service is often tied to compensation. But I learned something deeper: to whom much is given, much is required.
I thought about the scholarships I received, the opportunities to travel, the education funded by others’ sacrifices. Those were gifts.
Although, I was not asked for anything from the givers themselves, it is a principle to give back when we have recieved.
Lesson: Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” Luke 6:38 CEB.
5. Trust and Obey
Obedience has been one of my hardest lessons.
I was born in Jamaica, where reacting strongly—sometimes harshly—can feel culturally normal when disrespected. But God had to confront me: Is this My way?
Scripture challenged me deeply:
“Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:31–32 CEB.
I realized I had idols—especially my emotions. Anything we place above God’s instruction becomes an idol.
For an entire year, I let go. I learned to stop reacting. And trusted God even when nothing made sense.
It felt illogical and very uncomfortable. However, eventually clarity returned.
Lesson: And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Luke 6:38 NKJV
6. Manage Your Emotions and Live from Core Values
My son once told me, “Mommy, you should be a therapist—you’re always asking people how they feel.”
I am not a therapist, but I am a Life Coach, it comes naturally.
I intentionally teach my children core values, they are young but at least they can repeat them:
Kindness. Forgiveness. Compassion. Family/Community. Growth.
Living from the inside out changed everything for me. When values are clear, circumstances lose their power to control our reactions.
Before I learned about values, my son used to hold me accountable. He would say to me, “Mommy, I hear you, but say it a little gentler.”
That moment stayed with me.
Lesson: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
7. Have an Open Mind
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, but He can use anything and anyone He chooses.
God prepared me through the church, but then He sent me on my way. Although, He doesn’t truly leaves, I had to challenge my mindset that there was more to the kingdom of God than just church.
Not every calling lives inside a church. Sometimes it looks like nonprofit work, education, community building, or even a profitable business rooted in values.
I know how to plan—but I have learned to be flexible with my plans.
God often moves outside our formulas.
Lesson: In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
Why This Matters for Our Children
When I look at my children—curious, building, exploring—I understand something deeper.
The future we envision for them may include STEM kits, robotics, electric race cars, artificial intelligence, and higher education.However, to raise leaders of character, we must train up a child in the way he should go—grounded in values, obedience, service, ownership, and vision.
@knowledgeforlifeyouth AI, electric cars, globalization… I remember writing essays about these things back in high school — whether we wanted them or not. And now, here they are, fully woven into our everyday lives. The world has shifted, and these changes are no longer predictions; they’re reality. And with every new advancement, we are being challenged to grow, adapt, and rethink how we live and work. How are you navigating all these changes? #corevalues#change#thefutureishere#globalization#knowledgeforlife♬ original sound – knowledgeforlife youth
Ujamaa.
Cooperative economics.
Community.
Faith in action.
If we don’t model a different way, our children will inherit the same cycles.
God prepares us not only for success, but for stewardship—responsibility passed from one generation to the next.
And often, He is preparing us for far more than we ever prayed for.
So keep walking.
Stay surrendered.
And trust the process.
If you would like more information or coaching in this area, send us an email at [email protected]
With grace and growth,
Sanchia and team.
Audio Version
Please listen to our podcast Be Still And Grow, Episode 8: Preparing the Next Generation
Video Version
Please watch our full length of Be Still And Grow. 7 Lessons Learned When God Is Preparing Us for More