On April 26, I received a call that I had been laid off from my job at the church in Morgan Hill. Because of the Covid-19 virus, the church had lost income and had to make cuts. So- for the 2nd time in 3 years, I was looking for a job; only this time it was during a pandemic. Churches still aren't meeting, and none of them are hiring right now. The last time I looked for a job, I had several offers, and landed in Morgan Hill after 3 very long weeks of looking. I was hoping that I would find one even faster this time- not even close. It took almost 3 months. The church that I landed at is a dream church. I keep asking myself, "is this too good to be true?" This story had a happy ending, but getting there was quite an adventure. Here are some lessons that I learned in those 3 months:
:: I have come a long way, but I have a long way to go.
I consider myself to be spiritually mature- I'm a church leader, I have been following Christ for the majority of my life; but in those 3 months I discovered that I have work to do in the areas of trusting God with my security and my fears. There were moments when the anxiety of not having a job was overwhelming. I spent many, many hours out on a trail walking and praying. I did this partly to communicate with God, but mostly to get out of the house and to distract myself from my worries.
:: God is good, all the time.
We used to say that in the old days at church. I'm reminded of it in every season of life. Through those months, we never missed a meal, never missed a bill, never went without. God provided a new job and a new church for our family. He took care of us, just like He always has and always does.
:: my family is awesome.
I got to eat 3 meals a day with my family for months. We got to go to the coast several times. We shopped for plants at the plant nurseries, because they were some of the first business to re-open. We went on walks and drives. I was anxious and a little much to be with some days, but I'm grateful for that extended amount of time with them. Deanna supported me and cheered for me. She coached me and gave me her perspective. She listened to every detail of every interview. She is amazing.
:: restoration
I binge-watched a couple of shows about shops that restore broken cars, and in a lot of ways I was restored. I had been broken down by stress, anxiety and work. Over this time I ran at least a 10k every night for months. I dropped 30 pounds. I slept in, I napped. I slowed down. I'm ready to get back in the game and am feeling better than ever.
:: my call was confirmed.
I thought about doing all kinds of different work: kids ministry, working in the business world, even being a senior pastor, but I kept coming back to my call to work with students. I could never get away from it- and I never really even wanted to get away from it. That is the job that God made me for, and I have never been more convinced of it.
:: my former boss passed away
my former boss Galen went to heaven during that time. One night I was on a walk and I was thinking and praying and I began to remember his influence on me. He did so much for me- he was so patient with me. He was so kind to me. I remembered again how much I respected him and the way that he did ministry. For the last several years of my life, he was a real father-figure in my life. I remember praying on the night that he died, and thanking God for him; and wishing that I had spent more time with him in his last years. Not long before he died we had a special conversation over Facebook expressing our mutual admiration for each other.
:: team Rob
I have mentioned these friends before. They showed up in full force during my time of need.
Niki coached me on my interviewing. She gathered an army of former students to bombard my new boss with letters of recommendation on my behalf. She mobilized her family to pray for me.
Jonathan is an expert at underemployment insurance. His phone rings off the hook all day long. Many, many people call unemployment all day, every day to try and get their benefits, but Jonathan told me, "don't worry. I'm going to take care of all of this for you."
Chuck encouraged me with words that I hope to never forget: he said, "Rob, I want you to make a list of all of the students and a list of all of the parents and leaders that you have touched with your life. And when you do, please put my name and my son's name at the very top of that list." After I hung up the phone I just cried and cried at those thoughtful words.
Chris called me every single day. He listened to the ups and downs of every interview. He kept track of those details just as well as I did.
Trent was there to give me rare insight into the new people that I was meeting because of his vast network of friends.
Josh listened to me, cheered for me, and fought for me to get hired at his church. It didn't work out, but I'll never forget the efforts that he went to on my behalf.
Jeff advocated for me to get hired at his church. He took the decision-maker out to eat and campaigned on my behalf. He generously offered to send food to our home.
Many gave my family and I very generous and thoughtful monetary gifts. I am uncomfortable receiving any kind of gift, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. I was humbled and floored.
Mike, Grace, Tricia, John, Jim and Roxanne reached out nearly every day telling me that they were praying. They asked for updates and checking in after interviews.
Team Rob- I'm not worthy. They blow me away with their love and genuine concern. I want to be that for them and for so many more.
Millions of people are out of work right now, and my heart empathizes with them. I was reading in the book of Job the other day, and found a passage that spoke to my situation so clearly that I wrote every word of it in my journal:
Job 11:13: "“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if
you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;
you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling
it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter
than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure,
because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down,
with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor."
That's my story-
and that's my prayer for everyone searching
for a job in this time of insecurity.
God is love.
-rev-rob
0 comments:
Post a Comment