Brewing a post in my mind happens frequently.
And this one, well, it has been stirring about, popping to the surface, disappearing, and emerging again, for days.
Yesterday marked a two year anniversary. Two years ago yesterday, I returned from the Thanksgiving day holiday and showed up at the office to work. I'll never forget it because oddly, my laptop was gone. I always took my laptop with me on jaunts out of the office, but in this case, because in August of that year I had purchased my own laptop, and because the Thanksgiving holiday trip to Fargo was NOT work related, I left my work laptop in my office. And so it was missing.
Strange that.
I was reflecting on it this morning, with my friend and former coworker. It was determined that the computer was stolen. Yet, nothing else was missing. But well, it really didn't matter due to the other events of the day.
Later that day our executive director called me into his office.
My team was aware of these meetings, somewhat. We were expecting to be repositioned, possibly (likely) having to relocate.
We knew our team was being disbanded.
We knew our team leader was offered a different position and that his current position was being eliminated.
So, it was with much surprise that I walked out of the ed's office having just been informed that no, I was not being positioned on a different team, having to relocate. I was told that my services were no longer needed.
For anyone who may have experienced this moment of being "let go" "fired" "downsized" or whatever the descriptor, you know it is a surreal moment. But here I am, looking back, two years later.
I am glad.
The way it happened sucked (please forgive my language).
It could have been handled differently.
I am more thankful for life and experiences now than while I worked there.
My life has more life now than when I worked there.
I feel more free to be and to live and to journey with Jesus and with others.
My view of work has changed dramatically.
I would NOT have had opportunity to date and share my life with B if I were still working that frantic pace.
My life including attending school full time would have worn me out. Completely.
Just to name a few things.
I am not saying the ends justify the means. But, I feel rescued and restored.
It is good to be elsewhere, free.
Thank you Lord, for vision beyond what I can imagine! You know what you are doing. Bless you!
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7 comments:
Blessings in disguise! :)
I guess I didn't realize that when I met you it was only about a month and half after your "dismissal".
I am thankful to have journeyed along with you. Also I bet that the time you have been able to give to our friendship is do in part to you having more time.
Though the loss was great at the time look how far you have come and how far God has brought you.
This is a great post! Sometimes we don't realize the things in our life that are absolutely "killing" us...our eyes are too limited to see beyond our own reality and so we miss out on a fuller and richer life. Praise God that, by His mercy, He sets us free so that we may find more joy and gain blessings in the things we were too burdened and time-pressed to enjoy before. I am so happy for you.
For me it was the day after Labor Day, so a day after a wonderful church picnic in the park with sack races and watermelon and softball. Then those same people fired me 24 hours later. Funny how these things seem to come so quickly on other important dates, so that those holidays are forever tinged with a slight "oh yeah, it was just so many years ago that I was canned." Or does it just seem that way?
In the end, I truly am in a better place in life because of it, so I'm thankful that God turns evil intentions toward good for those who love him.
Thanks, Friends!
S-
Yes. Very true!
Ro-
We have journeyed together almost that entire season, haven't we? Yet, I feel like I've known you so much longer. It is good to look back and praise God!
Ra-
Thank you. I don't regret my time there, by any means, as it had wonderful moments. But what you say about fuller and richer, I agree!
D-
It is good to hear your story, too, although, I'm sorry it had to occur in such a way. I'm sure there is no good way to communicate such news, but, I hope for something better. I'm glad for your current space (except your CD player loss) as it sounds very life-giving!
Life will always be an adventure when we are on God's side. I can't believe it has been 2 years already Gracie! I'm so glad how it's turning out.
"Then those same people fired me" some months later. Officially I resigned.
And yes, I feel release and relief, but the other fallout is that quite frankly, life has been difficult--these past 12 months in particular. Every day here in Michigan more and more people join the unemployed. More and more people look for work. Competition for those same jobs increases.
A leader at a Dunamis conference earlier this year asked me if I could forgive my former employer for my financial situation. My immediate response was, "No!" General forgiveness is a bit easier. Her specific question shocked me, as did my quick reply. She just nodded and waited. I decided I may as well give that over. She prayed with me. I cried. I let it go . . .
. . . Until that next health care insurance bill comes due, as well as other expenses, and then I try to start that forgiving process over again.
Best practice: to cry mercy for all of us.
Have mercy on me, Abba. Have mercy on them, Abba.
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