November 19, 2007 – April 28, 2008

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Five months and one week.

My term as unemployed officially comes to an end tomorrow, April 28, 2008 at 7:00 am. It’s a dream come true, and more. 23 weeks ago I thought my world had crashed beyond reconstruction. During the last 160 days I have learned that no matter what, no matter when, no matter how, my Father is more than faithful to provide for the needs of His own. I’ve learned that He is not only faithful, but quite creative in His ways also! Never a lack was known. Never a need was unmet. Never a want was hardly unfulfilled. God has been good and many of you have been part of His provision. Thank you very much!! (…and that seems too meager to suffice.)

Starting tomorrow I will be (unofficially) office manager for Mulch Plus in Middletown, OH. While I thought I was looking for a position in full-time sales, this position will be one of counter sales/point of sale, accts receivable/payable, payroll, general merchandising, maintaining relationships with wholesale outlets, suppliers and municipalities (for reception of ‘green waste’), along with general marketing of products and services. This job is a dream. Period. Actually, it must be better than a dream, because NEVER (not even once in 5 months) did I think of pursuing something quite like this. I’ve pursued (seemingly) everything else; from selling to concrete blocks, to light bulbs, to computer networks, to telephone systems, to sod, to general construction fasteners, to running a rental counter, to general retail sales floor, to asst chaplain at prison, to referral specialist at a children’s home, to pans, to sweepers, to knives, to Avon (just kidding on the last 4); but NEVER did I dream of this type of job. That’s how I know that God had it hand-picked and was preparing me to receive it. Less than one week ago this position pursued me, and a few days later I’m hired, the details are all worked out and I’ve already gotten my first raise BEFORE ever showing up!

God is good! Too good for how ‘clamoring’ I tend to be.

I’ve enjoyed the last several months. I feel like I’ve learned to know my youngest two children in a way I never knew them. I’ve been able to spend time with Renita (read: drive each other crazy), help with mundane household tasks (I potty-trained Dietrich), participate in pupil shuttling, come and go with seeming leisure, etc. But all that changes tomorrow. This will be quite different, but who am I to complain against the Lord’s providing? There will be compromises. My prison volunteer opportunities will be drastically reduced, but my ministry will not be eliminated altogether in that area. I’ll still have my Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. My casual breakfast and lunch meetings will be almost non-existent. ‘Sleeping in’ will be terminology which no longer fits in my vernacular except the occasional weekend. I’ll beat up everyone in my house on a daily basis and leave most of them unconscious. (Read that last sentence again to make sure you understood the weak humor.)

But……….God is VERY good!!__________________________________________________