The Long-Awaited Job Update

As I sit here trying to fill you in on what is going on in my life, I’m having trouble finding words that will accurately convey my feelings. So I’m going to do my best and trust that God will fill the voids that words just can’t describe.

Back in October my husband lost his job for the second time in four months. It’s not a reflection on my husband. He’s a hard worker and a man of integrity. But sales can be a brutal field, and the sales weren’t coming in. At first we didn’t understand. He was selling commercials for a radio station, a field in which he has had much experience and success. It seemed God was closing the door on a career in sales.

Still, we didn’t know where the Lord was leading. Jim knew he had to provide for our family, so he took various part time jobs. Jobs that required working all night long. Our family’s schedule was turned upside down. I felt like I never saw my husband. Still, it’s what we had to do, and we persevered.

While we were waiting, trying to figure out what to do, my husband did a lot of soul searching. If money didn’t matter, what was his dream job? He loves sports, and he used to be a sportscaster while we were dating. He gave it up, because sportscasting isn’t really conducive to family life. The salary is low, and there are lots of long weekends on the road. Still, one of Jim’s dreams was to work in a field where he could use his passion for sports.

Another field he’s always felt strongly about is Christian radio. He began his radio career at our local Christian radio station way back before I knew him. Shortly after we got married, he took a job at a Christian radio station 100 miles up the road. He was there for 7 years before we felt like we needed to move back home. He thought he was giving up on his career in Christian radio forever.

So that’s where we were in October, November, and December. Doing what we needed to do to get by and spending a lot of time thinking and praying. During that time, God provided for our every need. Though the finances didn’t add up on paper, our rent was always paid and there was always food on our table. We weren’t getting enough sleep, but somehow God sustained us through that too.

Shortly before Christmas my husband got a call. Our local Christian radio station needed someone to fill in part-time as the morning sportscaster right away. They knew Jim had experience, and they knew he was not working full time. Could he do it?

As if they needed to ask. Jim jumped at the chance. Despite being years out of practice, he fell right back into the sportscasting routine without missing a beat. He enjoyed the job immensely. But with good comes bad. Our schedule had become even more brutal. At times he would leave for his first part time job at 6:30 in the evening. He would get home at 2:30 a.m., take a short nap and leave for the radio station at 4:30 a.m. to work the morning shift. I didn’t know how he was surviving.

And then last week he was offered full time employment at the Christian radio station. His nights of janitorial work are over, and Jim gets to work in a field he is passionate about. Isn’t it just like God to take us through the dark valley, only to lead us out to something better than we ever could have imagined? Something that would not have been possible, if not for all the dark times.

Indulge me for a minute while I write a note to my husband.

Jim,

In our twelve years together we’ve been through many ups and downs. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s never been boring. You have supported me for the last 10 years as a stay at home mom, knowing that was my dream. Now it’s your turn.

I have no illusions that things are going to be a lot easier financially, but that’s OK. You’ve sacrificed so much for me and the kids. Now it’s time for me to make the sacrifice for you. Whatever it takes, we’ll make this work. You have a gift, and God has placed you where you can use it for His glory. Whatever I can do to support you in this, I will do without thinking twice or looking back.

I love you…..Lynnae

And to my friends and readers, thank you so much for your prayers and the shoulders you’ve offered for me to cry on over the last several months. Your prayers were felt, and your kind words and actions didn’t go unnoticed. It’s much easier to go through the hard times when you have others to help hold you up, and that’s what you did for me. May God bless you richly for that.

As I finish up this post, I’m listening to Blessed Be Your Name by Tree63.

Blessed be your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name, Jesus
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

May I never forget to bless God’s name, in both good times and bad. Though it’s hard to see in the midst of the darkness, He has a plan, and it’s for my good, even if I don’t see the rewards on this side of heaven.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me for the last few months. And for the curious, my husband is on the air from 6-8 PST on weekday mornings. I’m just so proud of him, I have to show him off. :)

I’ll be back on track tomorrow with a more frugal/financial post. But for today, I’m going to celebrate!

Photo by average everyday sane psycho

Tagged as: Faith, God, Job, Unemployment