Friday, February 03, 2006

A Job for Papa Rooster


(Doesn't that title sound like a Little Golden Book??)


Finally--the words you've all been waiting for...my husband has a job!
He starts next Wednesday, which will be within 24 hours of being exactly 6 months of unemployment (which is when the unemployment check stops coming!). So--PRAISE THE LORD! Thank you so much, all who have been praying for us.

The job itself won't be a huge change, as it's in the same segment of the health care industry he's been in for 13 years or so (he'll be Director of Sales). However, for the first time in nearly 11 years, he won't be working from home, but will be commuting at least 45 minutes each way to Deerfield, IL. He'll have less overnight travel, but even so, the kids and I will be seeing less of him than we have in years.

It also seems that he'll have a less flexible schedule for part-time ministry at our church, at least through the week; mostly that's taken the form of mentoring, hospital visits and some sermon prep. But God may open some other doors near his new job, as there's an AMIA church just down the street that needs priestly support right now.

So we're very excited and grateful, but anticipating at least a year of continued serious economizing plus some tough changes in our family schedule. The kids and I discussed all this this morning in light of today's Scripture passage: "It is for discipline that you have to endure...For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." This "hardship" is really nothing compared to the suffering of others here and around the world, but to us, it will be a discipline.

But the Lord also says to us, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." We like to remind each other of something we once heard a speaker say: "The Lord sure seems to think He knows what He's doing!"

Thanks again to all who have prayed for us and supported us (see here) over the last six months. You mean so much to us. We are eternally grateful.

Rejoice with us!

3 comments:

Dr. Anette said...

Congratulations!

tangle said...

YAY!!!! (an AMIA church in deerfield or near you guys?)

Anonymous said...

This is great news! The adjustment, though, is surely challenging. May the Lord grant you strength, flexibility and comfort!

Dan's employment situation has changed dramatically over the years from being unemployed to working 20 out of every 24 hours just to eek out enough to put bread on the table.

Eventually, though far from lucrative, his work stabilized (and humanized), and we adjusted. Then 18 months ago his office moved from near O'Hare up to Deerfield, adding almost an hour each way to his commute. He's gone at least 12 hours, 15 on nights he does ministry. Still, we are extremely thankful for his employment. He's "God's man" in that place!

Your picture of "The Jolly Barnyard" brought back memories. It was the first book I ever read to baby Jonathan, at the tender age of 2 weeks. He grew to love all the animal noises that went with it. Sweet memories. I've kept it stored away to use with my grandchildren.