Tick, Tock...

Time flies.
Time waits for no man.
Timing is everything.
There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

It's been a long, uh, *time* since I've written on my blog, but I felt compelled to do so. Life changes tend to do that to me.
I've been thinking a lot about the reality of God's timing. As I have said before, I lost my job in December, and have been looking for another ever since. Not that I didn't have hiccups along the way, but I have, in order to collect unemployment (ethically!), been searching for a job. Since DECEMBER. There were weeks that I would submit as many as 30 resumes. I had a couple of calls for interviews, but they either were too far away (2 hour commute -- one way) or didn't pay enough. (The latter is something that a lot of people don't understand seeing as having some income seems better than none. But I spent years hiring people and training people, only to have them leave 2 months later because they weren't making enough money. I just didn't want to take a job someone offered me in good faith, only to leave as soon as I found something that paid more.) And I realize I am one among many searching for work, but sometimes I felt like we were living on borrowed time. As I said before, I was getting unemployment, and we had savings, but there was only so long that was going to be sufficient. The fact was that I needed to work.
Not that I wanted to. Quite frankly, I LOVE being at home. I am not one of those people who is ever bored at home. There is, seriously, always something to do. I spent every day accomplishing something. I painted three rooms in my house. I spent months working in the yard. I always had a clean house. I spent the day with my kitties, who, as everyone who knows, are my "kids." I had quiet times with God unlike any I had ever had before. I had dinner waiting for Chris every day, because I also discovered how much I really love cooking. I took my parents to Pensacola to see my sister and her family ( and great-grandson!). While we were there, I was able to take my dad to see his brother who he hadn't seen in years. I started a website. All things that would not have been possible had I been working. It has been a wonderful time for me, and for that I am grateful. But I always knew, in the back of my mind, that there was a ticking clock telling me that time was running out.

Now, I tend to be very specific when I pray. I wanted a job that paid enough, was close to home, and that I would enjoy. Yes, I know it's called work for a reason. But I also know that you can have a job that you also enjoy because I had one in Huntsville years ago. I worked with people who are still special and dear to me, and although it was sometimes stressful, I actually enjoyed work. I had determined at some point that I would never have that again having been at 3 continious jobs that I didn't enjoy, but then I realized that was ridiculous. Anything was possible.

Back to my Awesome God and His timing. I admit there were days that I would get down, and I would ask God what the heck He was doing. These were the days where I let the devil sneak in and make me doubt, worry, and question whether I mattered to Him at all. But He would quietly let me know that He was still there, and that He had everything under control. I truly felt Him tell me a couple of weeks ago to get ready because things were about to change. Again.

I applied for a job about 2 weeks ago at a Hospice that I had applied to before. I almost didn't for this very reason, but God told me to, so I obeyed Him :) I received a call the next day asking for an interview. I would later find out that I was the last in a long line of interviews, and before I came, they had already decided on another candidate. Anyway, the next day, they offered me the job.

It's a testimony to God's faithfulness. I wasn't hired for the job I applied for, but as the manager. The job is at a Hospice, and while I hope to enjoy the job, I am happy to be at a place that matters. While it's not close to home (I do, after all, live in the boonies!) I received 5 other calls for interviews that very week. And it turns out, this WAS the closest to my house! Not only that, I was spared interview after interview, and was offered the first job I interviewed for.

Now I hear another clock ticking -- the one telling me that this time at home is coming to an end. And while I am honestly sad about that, I'm even more amazed than ever at God's timing in everything. And as the doubt tries to creep in, I just stop and refuse to be anxious. Because I know that He'll watch over my kittes while I'm working, that Chris will help me out around the house, that my body will adjust to the schedule, and that I will learn what I need to know to excel at this job. For the first time since I moved to Birmingham, I feel like I am right where God wants me to be.

It just took some time.

Time to grow.

Time to listen.

And most importantly, time to trust.