Well, it’s official. A few days ago, Kim met with her boss to tell her she wouldn’t be returning to teach next year. Gulp.
That’s right. After five years of busting our butts working at Kim & Jason, we’re making the jump we’ve been we’ve been dreaming about – working full time at, and being completely supported by, these cartoon characters known as Kim and Jason. And Stinky.
We’ve really wrestled with this decision for several months. It has been exciting to see how things have developed, and the difference we’re making in people’s lives. Kim & Jason has steadily grown in readership and revenue. My speaking gigs have increased. And my book is slated for release in the very near future. A lot of things are going in the right direction, and it seems like if we don’t make this jump now, we’ll only stunt our growth.
That’s not to say it’s easy. It surely isn’t how I imagined. I figured I’d already be making a very comfortable salary by the time Kim “retired”, making the decision elementary, so to speak. Walking away from a guaranteed salary and decent benefits in order to chase potential makes me a little uneasy. Pepto-Bismol uneasy. But at the same time, somehow, I am very confident in this decision.
We’ve spent a lot of time in prayer and in discussion with close friends and family. Everyone has been so supportive. Eerily supportive, in fact. Another fact is that, sometimes, in order to succeed, you have to completely burn the bridges behind you. Otherwise, when the going gets tough, you’re likely to panic and take the easy out you’ve left for yourself. When Kim closes her classroom door and the paychecks stop coming, it’s sink or swim. That’s some pretty good motivation.
I’m not sure what it means that only days after the decision was announced, our car needed $500 worth of work done. I’m pretty sure it’s like one of those radio alerts – only a test. When you step out in faith and demand big things from life, life will reward your boldness, but before it can do that, it has to see how serious you are. So, we’ll see. Just like St. Peter, who walked on the water, we’ll either sink or swim. I know that as long as we keep our eyes on the Lord, we’ll be just fine.
But if any of you feel called by a higher power to send us a token of encouragement, like, say, a check, we won’t turn it down. We could use it to buy more Pepto-Bismol.
Congratulations on your bold move! I will pray for you, Kim and Jason. Change can be both scary and exciting at the same time. Hopefully, you will feel the excitement and thrill of success most often.
Jason (and Kim and anyone at Kim and Jason who might be reading this),
I just read your “Bird Dropping” about Kim taking a leap of faith by giving up her steady paycheck. While I understand that I have no real right to comment on this decision, I feel compelled to do so anyway. So, please bear with me.
I am a chaplain. I currently work primarily with Hospice clients (those who are expected to live less than six months), but I also do some work in the hospital setting, usually crisis ministry. On a daily basis, I have very difficult conversations with individuals and families about decision making. Now, I tell you this for two reasons:
1. I hope you know what a ray of sunshine Kim and Jason is in my own life, and
2. I want to share with you one of the things I tell many of those families. There is no right decision. There is no wrong decision. There is only your decision, based on your hopes, goals and values.
Jason, I remember the day I first met you. I’ve shared this experience many time as I tell people about Kim and Jason. It was the summer of 2001, and you shared your dreams with a room full of children and a hand full of adults. Every day since then, I have rejoiced with and prayed for the ministry you do. Based on my memory of that afternoon and the blessings that I have seen grow from your work, I can only say that although it may have been a difficult decision, it is consistent with my understanding of who the two of you are in your marriage and sense of vocation.
May your eyes see God’s blessings around you each day. May you continue to bring hope, love, laughter, faith, peace and innocence to others. May you have those same gifts in your hearts and in your homes. May your love for each other continue to grow. Most of all, may you know that you rest in the security of God’s hands, even when you stumble or doubt.
May you find comfort knowing that at least one fan is holding your family in prayer.
Thank you.
Gloria Stubitsch
PS I remember Jason wondering if he was insane to take the chance with a cartoon in the first place… Imagine if you hadn’t….