Sacredness in loosing a job? Really?

This past January, I was laid off from my job of 7 years. I knew it was coming so it was not a surprise, but still, it was a bit of a shock when it actually happened. I suppose I thought something would happen at the last minute, and I would not have to be let go. That was not the case!

I worked for the Upper Room in Nashville, and because it is a not for profit organization, I could not apply for unemployment. However, given my age (yup, I'm a senior citizen!) and adding this to my 7 years worked, I was able to retire. Just barely, but it added up and I was able to receive a bit of retirement money as I left.

Shortly after I was told my job was being dissolved and my last day would be January 31st, I felt an inner peace. Oh, I still had my moments of hurt, fear, and anger, but, thankfully, they left almost as quickly as they came. Each time a horrible thought or negative feeling surfaced, I cried out, "Lord, please forgive me and help me to trust you in all this." And, each time I was reminded of ways in which the Lord had taken care of me in the past when things looked bleak.

My attitude and spirit soon came back to that place where I knew I could place my life securely in God's holy hands. As my worries dissipated with remembrances of past storms the Lord walked me through, calmed me down and filled my heart with the peaceful assurance of his presence and the assurance of his unfailing love.

It's been almost 10 months now, and I feel so much happiness and freedom in not being tied down to a 9-5 job. I have found 4 different part time jobs to take up my time and bring in the money to do my part in paying our bills, and surprisingly with these jobs I even have more time to spend with my morning devotions, writing, and doing just about everything in a more relaxed way.

I'm not sure how it has happened, but my husband and are traveling more, doing more fun things together in general, and because of an unexpected financial management class at a friends church, we were able to get some long term bills paid and even have a bit of money invested and in the bank!

So...how did such beauty come out of ashes? Is it because I'm such a "good person?" Or, because I'm one of God's favorite little darlings? Of course not! On both counts, absolutely not!

Though things will not happen exactly the same way for each one of God's children, I believe the answer lies in the fact that Jesus promised that if we seek Him, we will find Him. If we knock, the door will be opened for us. This is what I did, and what each of us do when we repent and call on the Lord for help in being the person we know God created us to be. It's there for all of us!

Yes, I believe with all my heart that I can sense the sacredness of God, even in the painful process of loosing of a job! What a mighty God we serve! What a mighty serving God who loves and cares so diligently for each one of us!