Issue 025: Trust Your Gut. Trust Your God.

The move I didn’t make, the job I might not keep, and the lesson I needed.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the apartment I live in now. It’s peaceful. Familiar. Safe. But if you know me, you know I like change—not chaos, but fresh scenery. I’ve never been one to stay still too long, and lately I’ve been feeling that itch again.

I wanted to move closer to the city. Closer to my nephews. Closer to a new season.

So I did the thing—toured apartments, applied, got approved for one that felt almost too good to be true: the building was beautiful, the price was doable, the location? Perfect. But every interaction I had with the staff left me uneasy. Unanswered calls. Disrespect. The kind of energy that makes you ask yourself, Is this what I’m signing up for?

I had to literally drive an hour just to get the basic answers I needed. And though the amenities sparkled and the floor plan had me in a chokehold, something in my spirit said, Nah. And I’m learning not to ignore that voice.

I let it go.

I found another place. One that checked every box. Got approved again—with conditions I could work with. A move-in date was set for July 21. I was ready to go. Ready to start again.

But the day before I was supposed to sign the lease, something just…shifted. I couldn’t explain it, but everything in me said not yet. I tried to rationalize it. Maybe I was afraid of the money. Or maybe the instability of my contract job was creeping in—because as a contractor, you’re always aware of the clock ticking.

Still, I told myself maybe it wasn’t fear…maybe it was faith. Maybe it wasn’t a no, just a not right now.

So I listened. I stayed put. I didn’t sign the lease.

The next day, everything made sense.

We were called into a surprise meeting. The VP of Social Media—the very woman who hired me, believed in me, and offered me this role with zero hesitation back in February—was laid off with no warning, no clarity.

That woman changed the way I view leadership. She poured into us, not just as creatives, but as humans. Her belief in me made me rise to the occasion. Her care gave me room to stretch, to be confused, to be empowered—all at once.

As we sat on that goodbye call, everyone said the same thing: "You took a chance on me."

And that hit me.

Because it reminded me of the leader I want to be. I want my future team to one day say those same words about me. I want to lead with empathy and conviction. I want to pull brilliance out of people, not just polish what’s already visible.

I don’t know what happens next with this job. But what I do know is this: I made the right call. Not because of the money. Not because of the fear. But because God knew what was coming, and I chose to trust His voice over my own plan.

And that’s the real flex.

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So here’s what I’m learning (again):

• Just because something looks perfect on paper doesn’t mean it’s right in practice.

• Gut checks are often Spirit nudges—don’t ignore them.

• Leadership leaves legacy, not just job titles.

• And when you lock in with God, even your delays are divine.

I’m still grieving the loss of a leader. I’m still unsure about what my future holds.
But I’m not lost.

I’m just learning to stay aligned, even when the path reroutes.

All Is Well
— Ashlee Nicole

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