Hired and Fired By God
by Renee Jordan
It was during of the month of August 2004, right after a year of being out of school, doing temporary work, and applying to a million and a half permanent positions. I finally got the job of a lifetime-one that could lead to a fabulous career. I was ecstatic and told everyone the great news. The job was at one of the best universities in D.C., where I was working in my field with the opportunity of going to graduate school for free. It was not easy to find a job that involved having a Bachelors degree in Biology and not entail lab or research work (I was not interested in either). It paid the big bucks, so I began to plan my steps to get out and stay out of debt. I knew, a brighter future was ahead of me, which was truly appealing, especially at a time like then. After graduate school I would be sure to excel, be well on my way, and well off.
After four months of working and putting my medical insurance to good use, I was called into my boss' office.
"I'm sorry Renée, you are such a bright young lady, but things are not working out. Our department is being reviewed next week and our grants are on the line. We cannot afford to put you through anymore training, so today is your last day."
One thing was sure, what goes around, comes around. I gave my temp agency one day's notice that I was leaving and my boss at the university did the same. I felt sick to my stomach. She said I could leave early or finish my day. Holding back the tears and determined not to let this situation get the best of me I told her, "I'll finish out the day.” The least I could do was to set my desk in order so they could find everything easily once I was gone.
Am I "Super" woman...oh no no no no. Before going back to my desk I went to a bathroom on another floor and cried and cried and cried. What am I going to do? I was doing so well with my bills ...I was sure to pay off my school loans before the expected time…I was just about to be put back on my medication for my hyperactive thyroid. That was on a Wednesday-they didn't even let me finish the week!. On Friday I was going to take my car to the shop and have about $2,000 worth of work done. Well those plans were canceled. I had to be sure that I could pay my bills until I got another job. There was no way I could even think about going back to the temp agency. That bridge was good and burnt. Things were really about to get better and they got worse in just a ten minute conversation. The best thing my boss said was, she would give me a good recommendation to any possible employers.
Could things get any worse? Yes and they did indeed: three months of being unemployed worse. I think I had about five interviews during and nobody-although I really thought each one would be the one- even call me back. In March, I was good and humbled so I started to look for any kind of job. One Sunday after church I was talking to one of my friends and I said, “Tell me if you know anyone is hiring, because I need a job.” She said “hey, why don't you send your resume to my job, they really need help.” To make a long story short, I sent my resume one day later. Then I had an interview, the next week I had my second interview, and then I started the next day. It did not pay as much as my other job, but it didn't have to, because I wasn't even half as stressed as I was before. It is closer to my home and it has free parking, which is saving me a good chunk of change since I don't take the train. My hyperactive thyroid is in remission. I'm really starting to believe that any relapsing is stress induce because I'm doing better now than when I was on my medication.
When God got ready to open another door I walked right on through with ease. During my first interview, I told the interviewee the truth and let them know that I was fired from my last job. My future employer looked me in the eye and said I had just received points for honesty. No one ever came straight out and told them they had gotten fired. I figured I didn't have anything more to loose, so why not state the facts.
What does this have to do with God? It has everything to do with God. All the education in the world cannot guarantee you a job and a beautiful life with out heart ache, confusion, stress, and frustration. A good education is fine and dandy, but it has its place. A job serves good purpose, but it has its place as do fine houses, cars, and wealth. They all are wonderful but they all have their place and that is behind my Jesus-He comes first and NO THING is more important. God is the one that even allows jobs and other things to come into and out of our lives. I was fired for a legitimate reason. Yet I was fired by God. How do I know I was fired by God? I couldn't even get a job where family members and friends worked. They literarily tried to GIVE me jobs and things kept going wrong for THREE whole months. When God shuts a door...it is shut so tight no man can open it.
I was fired by God because something needed to happen in my relationship with God that took three months of unemployment and even being denied by unemployment-a serious reality check. During this time in my life I reached another level of true humility. There was no more denial at that third month of unemployment. I was not suffering low self esteem but, as a matter of fact, I did get to a point where I thought more of myself than I should have. After three months I became more grounded and realized my worth is what God thinks of me and not what I think of myself. That was the balance I started to lack. When I began to think I had everything and nothing could go wrong. I had worked out in and of myself. One should not be paranoid, but should never forget who is really in charge. The Lord gives and He will take away-not my education or lack thereof. My appreciation for God's ways has grown more and more. I love my new job, yet I still love my Jesus more.
I trust this came down your alley one way or another. I would love to hear your remarks renee@wheretoworship.com .
God bless.
