From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. ~ Matthew 26:16
Most of my regular readers know that my husband is about to be laid off, we keep learning bits and pieces of the whole story, but no one who knows all the details will out right fill anyone in, everyone else is just kind of sharing what they hear and learn from one source or another. Today we learned from the guy that is the head of the IT department that Quiznos never intended to keep the corporate stores open. The only reason they took them on was to test the new computer system so they could work the bugs out before passing it onto the franchise owners. They needed it some place where they could be in charge of the glitches and have guaranteed feedback. The thought that they played so carelessly with the lives of all the employees that they hired and their families hurts, especially since we are one of those families. Yet I am finding comfort in the most unlikely place. You see, Mr. Amazing was miserable at his last job. Stable? Yes. Happy? No. When Quiznos called and offered him a job it was like a dream come true. We prayed about it, and the details weren't right, so he was prepared to turn it down. But then, they offered him a different position, the perfect job, the very thing we had been praying for. It truly was an answer to prayer. To find out now that the whole time the company had the intention of laying him off with no notice only a year later stings at the very core of my being. How could something that was so clearly from God, be so devastating? This reminds me of a similar (although not really) situation from the Bible.
Jesus called Judas to follow Him, and to be His disciple. God knew that Judas would eventually betray Jesus, but He also knew that it was necessary in the plan of redemption. God took something that from the outside looks like a poor choice and used it to complete His plan. I don't know where God is taking Mr. Amazing from here, but I know He has a plan. God's ways are higher than my ways, and while Quiznos never had our best interest at heart, God did. I totally believe that He ordained Mr. Amazing's taking the job there. While at Quiznos he learned so many valuable things that he can use to help him get a new job. He will walk into it more prepared than he could have previously, and to be honest it gave him the confidence to walk away from the stability of the job before. During this time we are also taking a closer look at our budget. It's hard not knowing when we will get paid again (well, technically he has a minimum of one more pay check and rumor has it he will get at least 2), so we are cutting costs where possible and making a plan...together.
God isn't surprised that Quiznos is laying off Mr. Amazing, He has known it all along. The most reassuring thing to me right now is that this is all part of God's plan for our family. He can take something that seems like it could destroy us and use it to bring Him glory beyond our wildest dreams. I'm so thankful that God is in control!
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May God bless you for clinging to Him and His truths during this time! ))HUGS((
ReplyDeleteGod is the only one that can help us all the time...Happy WFW!
ReplyDeletemine is here
Thank you for sharing this post. I believe that God puts us in places for a season in order to prepare us for the next season. It would be so much easier on us if we had a clue of what He has instore for us next, but then that would take the fun out of Him being God and us having to trust. This really spoke to me today, so thanks again for sharing. Will be believing with you for great blessings to be poured out on your family!!
ReplyDeleteHarter,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, so sorry for the long comment.
I think of Joseph and how he was betrayed first by his brothers, and then by Potiphar's wife, and all along God was using every detail to put him in the position, with the growth necessary, and the skills he would need to do the Biggest Job that Joseph or anyone could imagine! God was preparing him to be used and to serve Him!
I pray you can continue to see that God is in control of your situation.
I also want to share that in my own life I have experienced a time (or two) when God moved me in steps from a place I loved, but that was not God's will for me, to a place that was glorious and I loved. But, when He moved me at first, it hurt. He had to pull me away, and it was like ripping and tearing my skin off, because I was glued to the wrong thing and people. I'm very grateful that He did that now, but I grieved and hurt and felt so betrayed, and didn't understand at all what God was doing.
Again, I pray that as God is moving you and teaching you and growing you through all He is doing, that you will respond and be open to all that He has for you to learn from His Word and through listening to Him and obeying.
I will be praying for you and your family.
Blessings,
Wendy
Thanks so much for all of your encouraging words! Wendy, thanks for the example of Joseph!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mandy. Sometimes we do not understand why the Lord has allowed us to be in a position that will soon end--one way or the other. But He prepares us through this for the next opportunity He has in our lives. I know. He just did that to me. And now, I am quite happy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you as the Lord makes the adjustment and does the preparations.
Janis