AWARENESS
It was a fledgling program, one that I was thrust into as the Team Lead at the behest of a family friend after she had contracted me to complete a project. However, I am the first to admit, I was not skilled, schooled, or prepared for the adventure. And the stakes were high—I was responsible for processing 700 mental health claims through this department every 24 hours. The very thought was daunting…and, considering the staffing problems, department infighting, and inherent jealousies and hostility that preceded the onset of this program, an observer would agree that I looked like a lamb being led to the slaughter.
After months of putting in 60-70 hour weeks, I walked into my supervisor’s office one day and learned that our department manager had been fired. At the end of that week, my supervisor called me at home to tell me that she had been terminated and, upon arriving at work the following Monday morning, encountering glares on shocked faces, I was given my “walking papers,” as well. Apparently, everyone had been told about my demise before me.
I was stunned. “People like me don’t get fired.” My parents had taught me a good work ethic, how to respect authority, be diligent, and work until each task is completed to total satisfaction. As with the manager and my supervisor, the reasons given me for my termination were flimsy and based on “he said/she said” rumors.
Bridge (After the Storm)
I was fortunate…within two weeks following this unexpected event, my sister-in-law recommended me for employment where she worked, and following an interview, I was hired. However, the sting from the unjustifiable termination lingered. Rather than enjoy the challenges presented in my new position, I could not release my attachment to the hurt and confusion that accompanied the recent job loss.
Amid the questions that circled endlessly through my thoughts was the droning phrase, “You weren’t good enough.” I also was aware that the people who had fired me had never taken five minutes to get to know me; they were merely acting on behalf of decisions made by others who also had never met me. In the end, we never found out the real reason we were systematically expunged from the company’s employ. Though we heard numerous rumors and innuendoes, we never did uncover the absolute truth.
Blesson
As I reflect on this episode in my life, I remember how stressed, exhausted, drained, and depleted I had been from dedicating so many hours—both at work and at home—to meet the program commitments. I also recall my qualifications did not meet those the position required. Most of the other women on the staff had far more experience than I had, and I knew they resented the fact that I had been placed in a supervisory position simply because the supervisor knew me.
Though I had been fired for seemingly no reason, I was blessed with another position that required no more than a 40-hour-a-week commitment. I also realized working within the skills and abilities God had given me was far superior to trying to accomplish the work I was not qualified for.
God never sets us up to fail, but without consulting Him, we make decisions and choose avenues that will.
Substance
Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (Amplified)
The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. Psalm 19:7 (The Message).
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