“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Facing hard times in life is difficult. When I lost my job last year, I took some time to just grieve that moment. I knew it was coming because business had slowed down, and the magazine industry I was in had slowed as a whole during the economic downturn of 2010 and 2011, so at least I could see the signs. Plus, my supervisor had thankfully given me a heads up that the company was losing a large client and she would not be able to continue to support the amount of people she currently had on her team. Since I was telecommuting from home and wasn’t even in the same city as the office, I knew I would be the first to be released.
Once I took that moment to grieve, I started looking towards the future. While I love having everything in life plotted meticulously down to the minute, I was going to have to let that go. And that would probably be a good thing! I was going to have to look confidently towards the unknown future, knowing that God had something planned. I just didn’t know what that was. Would I find another job? Would it be in the same field? Would I be able to get into a field I enjoyed more? Would this be the time to go back to school for a Masters degree?
The main thing I became convicted of as I prayed over and thought about the situation, was that this job loss was a little glitch in my well-organized life – it was a gap between opportunities. I just had to keep my faith and prepare for the right opportunity that would present itself. I spoke with a friend of mine, who encouraged me to by mentioning that the timing was a blessing, as I lost my job right as the school year was ending and summer was beginning. We talked about how fast childhood goes and that a summer spent with the kids, especially my youngest, Princess, would be well worth the loss of income for three months.
It was so true! I enjoyed a wonderful summer with the kids. I took Princess to swim lessons every morning for six weeks and enjoyed time swimming with her afterwards. I think she learned more swimming with the other kids afterwards than she did in class and we had a lot of fun in the pool. I was able to take the older kids to their friends’ homes and host friends at our home. My stepdaughter also came in for a month-long visit and we were able to visit a lot of tourist attractions and spend much more time together than we would have had I been working.
At the end of the summer, remarkably I got a contract position in my field and first love of writing. I was also able to take on a number of courses in the community college where I taught part-time. The summer of letting go and letting God stayed in my heart as our family transitioned into the school year, supplies and schedules.
Heather, you wrote this at the perfect time. I am so busy with my life I had stopped my daily bible read, putting everyone else first. I meditated/prayed yesterday for guidance and structure! in my topsy turvy life right now. (Sound familiar?) I read my bible last night, let God in and lead (and you know that is hard for me to give up leading to anyone!). I slept the best in weeks. You are so right. We worry all the things in life and forget that we have a silent leader and listener. Thank you for the post, I so needed the reminder! Taking your lead and will have some fun with my transitional summer!
That does sound familiar! 🙂 I’m glad you are getting back to the Bible reading and that this came at a good time. Yay for being in sync! Definitely enjoy this transitional summer – it’s all going to work out great!!
I gave my kids extra loving hugs today.
Aww! This is a bit of a transitional summer for you, too – hope it is still going well!