During the summer of 2008 my desire was to find a new
job with a much shorter commute. But God had put other plans in motion for
open-heart surgery to replace my aortic valve on September 25, 2008. As I
recovered at home, I was able to continue working via the internet until my job
was eliminated December 31, 2008. I was unemployed!
By April 2009, I started working as a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care.
I was elated that God answered the desire of my heart for a job. Very soon it
became evident this job would not provide enough hours or pay to satisfy our
financial needs. However, God’s desire was that I might grow in compassion and
expand my listening skills as I served these seniors. I enjoyed hearing their
stories as I drove them to various appointments or cared for them in their
home. While I worked at Home Instead until November 2010, I continued to look
for a part-time office position.
By this time the economy was in a deep recession with
escalating unemployment. I sent out many resumes for jobs that looked like a
good fit for me only to learn that my resume was one of 300-500 applications.
No interviews.
What was God’s desire for me? Our financial situation
needed an extra boost from me working 15-20 hours a week. My desire was for an
office position with a social service, charitable or ministry focus. God’s
desire was to build my character through perseverance in the face of mounting
job rejections.
Romans 5:2b-5
(NIV1984) “And we rejoice in the hope of
the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our
sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God
has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given
us.”
I started to question if I should retire and trust God
to provide for our needs. I suspected age-discrimination with the few
interviews I managed to snag through learning to revise my resume to match a
specific job description. I lowered my expectations as to wage and applied for
seasonal retail employment, but I was only invited for one interview out of a
dozen applications. No job offers and discouraging news reports of minimal
seasonal jobs.
God’s desire was that I experience hope. It came
through writing the devotional on Abraham’s long-realized desire for God’s
promised child when he and Sarah were well past child-bearing age [posted 4/13/12].
God did the impossible for them in their old age, after waiting ten years for
the reality of a baby. In that waiting time they kept faithfully serving and
following God.
How was I to follow God? I took some time off from the
job search. With my hope renewed I decided to volunteer through my school
district’s Adult Basic Education. I volunteered in the computer lab helping
advanced ESL students gain skills on the computer for future jobs and/or
college. I learned about MSOffice 2010 which would come in handy at a new job.
From here I volunteered to mentor a young man who was struggling with Reading
and Writing towards his goal of earning the GED. I enjoyed helping him learn
how to read and was delighted when he told me about checking out a library
book; he excitedly told me and the teacher what he learned from the book about
wind energy. He passed the Reading test! Next we tackled the writing, another
love of mine. He would get discouraged at the long, slow process so I kept
noting to him little points of progress along the way as did his teacher. I
attended his graduation and listened with pride as he presented his speech
giving glory to God and thanking all of us who helped him. What a delightful
young man who was so appreciative that I would attend his graduation. God used
these opportunities to bolster my confidence towards finding a job.
Between volunteering, I worked June and July 2010 with
the US Census Bureau as a Numerator. It was encouraging to earn some money doing this
important task of making sure everyone is counted. I met a variety of people
while trying to fill out the census reports. Again, God was expanding my people
skills.
Then one day I noticed an ad in the local Press publication
for a job at Christos Center in Lino Lakes. I got excited as I remembered
attending classes and events sponsored through Christos. This job would match
my desire to use my skills and gifts in a ministry setting in a place whose
mission I could wholeheartedly support. I applied, interviewed and waited once
again. Would it be another rejection or would it be a job offer?
God’s clear desire for me was to pray for all of the
applicants. Only one of us would receive the job offer while the remainder
would be rejected. I asked God to help all of us accept God’s Sovereign will in
the hiring decision. I prayed for the Christos’ leadership as they completed
the interview process making their decision based on God’s leading. God was
working in my life as I had not prayed like this after any previous interviews.
I even sent a thank-you-for-the-interview letter stating how I was praying for
the decision process and for each of the applicants.
The phone rang six days after my interview with a job
offer. I accepted. I hung up the phone and began to yell and dance my
excitement around the house. Then I called my husband’s cell phone and
proceeded to scream a voice message that he couldn’t understand but assumed I
got the job.
This scripture came alive for me that day in October
2010:
Psalm 37:4 (NIV1984) “Delight yourself in the Lord
and
he will give you the desires of your heart.”
My job as Administrator at Christos
Center for Spiritual Formation has continued to be God’s excellent provision and a match for the
desires of my heart. What a delight and a privilege to be working in a place of
ministry where I can serve our clientele while continuing to develop a deeper
relationship with God as I avail myself of the many classes and events
sponsored through Christos.
The God of the impossible made my
desires a reality. How beautiful that God would match His desires for my life
with my desires.
REFLECTION:
During my two-year job search I
did a lot of grumbling, whining, weeping, complaining and doubting that I would
ever find a permanent job. I did not do it perfectly but I kept going back to God
and listening for next steps. God guided and brought people alongside for
encouragement and support, help with my resume, and suggestions to volunteer.
What is your experience with waiting
and desire?
Where have you seen God matching
your desires with His desires for your life?
