"Hope it works out for you there..."

In retrospect, and after reading a very thoughtful comment from a dear friend/mentor of mine, I would like to say, before you read this, that I know the words about which I write (see the title) are meant, for the most part, in love. If any of you read this and have said these words, know that I KNOW you mean well. At this point of the journey, I am fighting back my own fears of inadequacy, and that sometimes affects the way I interpret words sent my way.
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Today's post is a bit of a rant. Not a hateful or needlessly angry rant. Perhaps more of an impassioned essay. Anyway, here it is.

Since I have moved back home with my mom and brother, Carter, and with that the beginning of the school year, I have been approached by more people than I thought I knew about my plans for this fall.

Most of these are people from church or friends of close friends who wish to confirm a rumor they heard about my not teaching and moving to Tennessee. At this point, with the big move very much upon us, I am more than content to share my story. It usually goes something like this:

Person: "Hi, Kelly! Is it true you are moving? When do you go?"
Me: "Hi, (Insert Person's name here)! Yes, it is! The plan right now is to leave for the Nashville area after church on the 25th."
Person: "Oh, wow! So you're not teaching...?"
Me: "Nope! Not teaching this year. I feel that the Lord has been nudging my heart, especially over the past two years, to pursue full-time ministry with my music, and Tennessee is the place He has been pointing to. This is the time I can do it too- 25, single, no kids, and no mortgage.* There are things I can do now in my life I may not be available to do in a future season."
Person: "What do you plan to do there? Do you have a place to live?"
Me: "No job yet, but I am looking into substitute teaching to supplement my income, when needed. That will free me up to do auditions and visit churches, make connections and see what God has for me."
Person: "We'll really miss you here in Fargo!"
Me: "And I'll miss you! But, I plan to fly back for all of the Symphony concerts I am able to play, so it won't be like I am GONE gone."
Person: "Oh, that's good. How long do you plan to be in Nashville?"
Me: "At least a year, maybe indefinitely."
Person: "Well, I hope it works out for you there. And you can always come back if it doesn't."

Thoughts?
Has anyone else been dealt these words?

Now, I know they are meant in love. I know these words come from those who have supported and lifted me up in one way or another, possibly my entire life. Unfortunately, these words speak a message of failure to my heart.

Point #1- The Lord is leading me.
Proverbs 1:7 clearly states that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." If I do not respond to the call of God, woe to me! He has made it abundantly clear that I need to go. If He calls me to go, then He will provide. He has already blessed me with an awesome place to live, near relatives, and a Christian roommate who is connected to a church family. All this, and you think God would not also provide opportunities to minister? Opportunities to use my gifts, my music for His Glory? I have no doubt there will be opportunities to serve, if I make myself available and willing.

I might also note that I am NOT going to Nashville to "make it big." I have been blessed with resources on which to live for at least a year so that I might do what I can do to the fullest. If playing in teeny tiny rural churches with nothing but an out of tune piano is my calling, I will glorify God in my work, with heart and soul.** If God calls me to tour with a well-known group, I will work so God may be glorified in the same way. It doesn't matter. The money doesn't matter (God will provide what I need, when I need it). My open hands matter. My willing heart matters. I am going to serve, not to become famous. And if that purpose ever changes in my heart, please smack some sense into me!

Point#2- This phrase is not often used in familiar situations.
Below is a series of examples that would be preposterous situations for the phrase "I hope it works out for you there." This phrase has the potential, in certain circumstances, to inspire a sense of failure and lack of trust. Read the example and imagine telling a person "I hope it works out for you there. If it doesn't work, you can always come back." You'll get the idea- especially with regards to ministry positions.
a) Going to college.
b) Getting Married.
c) First day of work at a new job.
d) Missionary seeking support and going to an assignment in a foreign country
e) Pastor being called to a new assignment (Or, like Francis Chan, who left the church he started to serve people in inner-city San Francisco)

Keep in mind that when God says, "Go," a contingency plan is not needed. When Lot's wife so much as looked back, she turned into a pillar of salt. Hmm. Something to think about.

Notes
* These are not bad things. In fact, these are very good things I hope to have and steward someday. Today, however, I need to walk in my current calling. Tomorrow could be different. But I can't do anything about that, now can I?

**If you want to hear an amazing song about calling and glorifying God in the most humble ways, listen to the song, "Anyplace," by Reilly (formerly John Reilly Band). SO. GOOD. Might this be the continual state of my heart toward service.