New Job

Very early in my working experience, I had a conversation with God. I agreed to pretty much always take whatever interviews that came my way. So like when I was a pastor, even if the church didn't seem to be one that I would have chosen, I would always interview. I knew that I didn't always see things from the big picture, or God's perspective, so I needed to take a closer look. Looking back, it makes for some pretty interesting stories.

I was contacted by a friend from church the other day about a job. Her job to be exact. Or rather, her soon to be former job. It's a part time position that has no benefits and she needs those since she is a young widow. I was quite touched that she thought of me when she was thinking of finding her replacement.

She sent me an email and asked if I had any office experience. I have. From her description, I don't think there's anything I can't handle or learn. Then she asked if I had any legal experience. It made me chuckle a bit. You see, this job is working in a local attorney's office. I'm not sure if my "legal experience" will qualify or eliminate me from consideration. I guess it's just an interview I'll have to go on and see.

The funny thing is that this opportunity came out of nowhere. I'm quite content with my job. It has taken me a while to get there, but I feel like I am doing something meaningful and I can't hardly find the words to describe how much I like the stress-free nature of my work. I have a pretty sure hunch that would not be the case with the new position. But I can see that things could change pretty quickly in my elder care job.

One of the real pluses to this new position, as with my current situation, is that I would still be available to watch Asher everyday. This continues to be a commitment that Nelson and I take very seriously.

Recently Asher has gotten into soccer. So no matter how tired I am just about every afternoon I'm out kicking the soccer ball around. When my girls were little, we didn't do soccer. Beth got into it late in high school, but it never required more of me than sitting in the stands cheering in all kinds of weather. I was not a soccer mom. But I am becoming a soccer mema. Tonight it all seemed a bit crazy as we kicked the ball around with snowflakes falling around us. Only a cup of cocoa with marshmellows served to be the ticket in out of the cold.

My hips were aching as I kicked the ball around and I fought not to quit. I was no good at kickball, I have not gotten any better in my aim with the passage of time. If anything that seems much worse. I must have missed the net ten times for every one time I just came close. At 53, why do I have to learn to play soccer?

This morning I reread the story of Moses being visited by God in the burning bush. Moses was well past 53 when he received his new job assignment. No amount of excuses or negotiating seemed to dissuade God from his plan. Moses was the man for the job.

So at 53, should I be too surprised that God might be calling me to something new? Perhaps my time of exile and solitude is done. Perhaps it's time to step up to God's next thing. Whether it turns out to be this position or something else. I'm not too old to learn to kick a soccer ball, or too inflexible to trust God to put me in a new position. No matter what, he's worth trusting--he really does see the big picture and have my best interests in mind.