One of my good friends lost his job today. Wonder why we call it that? He didn't lose anything - it isn't missing or tucked between the sofa cushions or waiting on the baggage carousel at the wrong airport. The job is not lost - but I feel like I am.
You see, my friend and I share the same employer, so in the interest of maintaining my own household income, I must refrain from writing what I really think about this situation. Suffice to say that it would include an abundance of expletives and exclamation points.
But here's the thing; there is much to be gained from the blindside shots that all of us experience. A lost job, a sick spouse, a wayward child, an unexpected death...how we perceive these things is how we will live with them.
I am by nature an overt hand-wringer; I could teach advanced placement courses in histrionics. I must admit to throwing a small private conniption fit when I first heard the news this morning - but then I prayed.
Scoff if you must, but my soul settled down and I felt God's presence. He reminded me that His ways are not my ways, and He assured me that the plans He has for my friend are wonderful. Looking out the window at a misty fall sunrise, I realized that the unpleasant surprises in my own life have immediately preceded some of my happiest and fulfilling experiences.
My friend did not lose his job - his position was eliminated so that God can lead him into the next chapter of his story.
We only "lose" something when we leave faith out of the equation. Without faith, we are all lost.
27 October 2011
23 October 2011
Missing In Action
Wow, I haven't blogged in over four months - wonder what's up with that? A lot has happened since we last spoke, but rather than a windy, diary-like account, here's a quick summary.
-- I quit my stupid job and went back to my former employer in a much better job.
-- I am currently traveling like a crazy woman for my new job, and struggling unsuccessfully to keep up with all of my personal belongings. It seems that I leave something of significant value nearly everytime I travel. Happily and miraculously, all of my belongings have been returned to me - I am a devout fan of TSA. Search away, brave public servant!
-- I didn't think it was possible to love my family more than ever, but I do. All of this time on airplanes and in lonely hotels has given me a new appreciation of how very blessed I am to live with (and be loved by) these three wonderful people.
-- Pretty darn fond of the dog, too. Though I am jetting all over the southeastern US, eating out several times a week and accumulating scads of frequent flyer miles, my favorite place to be is on my corner of the couch, with the dog snoring on my lap and the family all hooting at some goofy sitcom.
-- Got a new (used) car. It's a black Ford Edge that I think may have belonged to a gangsta, although the car dealer tried to give us the whole "little old lady who only drove it on Sundays" routine. Little old lady, my foot. It's got some flashy wheels, Pirelli tires, and candy-apple red stitching to match the black and red leather interior. It suits me wonderfully.
Back soon...certainly won't be another four months.
-- I quit my stupid job and went back to my former employer in a much better job.
-- I am currently traveling like a crazy woman for my new job, and struggling unsuccessfully to keep up with all of my personal belongings. It seems that I leave something of significant value nearly everytime I travel. Happily and miraculously, all of my belongings have been returned to me - I am a devout fan of TSA. Search away, brave public servant!
-- I didn't think it was possible to love my family more than ever, but I do. All of this time on airplanes and in lonely hotels has given me a new appreciation of how very blessed I am to live with (and be loved by) these three wonderful people.
-- Pretty darn fond of the dog, too. Though I am jetting all over the southeastern US, eating out several times a week and accumulating scads of frequent flyer miles, my favorite place to be is on my corner of the couch, with the dog snoring on my lap and the family all hooting at some goofy sitcom.
-- Got a new (used) car. It's a black Ford Edge that I think may have belonged to a gangsta, although the car dealer tried to give us the whole "little old lady who only drove it on Sundays" routine. Little old lady, my foot. It's got some flashy wheels, Pirelli tires, and candy-apple red stitching to match the black and red leather interior. It suits me wonderfully.
Back soon...certainly won't be another four months.
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