My husband was offered a job this week. . .He will start his new job as an addiction specialist at a local community non-profit health center.
But let me back up. . .
The day before we had a conversation. It went like this. . .
“Babe, what do you think?” I asked.
We both looked at our bank account on the computer screen. I’ve worked freelance for the past 20 months while Richard has been in school full-time. Things have been tight, but also amazing. It’s been a joy-filled faith walk. But the balance was dipping pretty low.
When he graduated in December we both sighed with relief.
He started interviewing for jobs in the mental health field. Perhaps naively we both assumed a job offer would come in a couple of weeks.
It didn’t happen. Several agencies said up front that their hiring process took 6 weeks to 6 months. Others asked him to fill out paperwork.
He took the state tests. He passed them with flying colors. Agencies complimented him on his interviews.
When the job list came up, he wasn’t on them. “Glitch,” they said. “Happens all the time. Apply for the next batch in March. We’ll have this fixed by then.”
It’s been 10 weeks since graduation.
Back to the day before yesterday.
I pulled up our bank acount.
“How long will that last?” he asked.
“Maybe three weeks. March bills are due.”
I saw the disappointment. Worse, I saw discouragement.
He has been substitute teaching 3-5 days a week while he’s waiting. The pay is minimal, but he loved the kids and it filled the time.
“I guess I need to call my old employer,” he said. He ran his hands over his face. “Man, I didn’t want to do that. But they’ll hire me. I know they will.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “Let’s give it one more day, babe.”
Later that day Ryan called me. “Has dad heard anything?” he asked.
Melissa also called. So did Leslie. So did Stephen, my son-in-law. They know Richard. They know how hard he’s worked. They are all his biggest fans, except for the old Suzeroni.
“Mom, I don’t know why it’s taking so long. I really don’t, but I know that God will take care of you and dad. I don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but I know that God spoke to you and dad about going back to school. Hang on, okay?”
I hung up the phone. Every word Ryan said are words that Richard and I have spoken over our kids their whole life. He’s with you in the good. He’s with you in the bad. Run after him. Live for him. He’s leading you. Trust that. Trust him.
Ryan is normally quiet about his faith. I suddenly realized that Richard and I haven’t been alone on this faith journey.
The next day I was munching on a spinach salad (feta cheese, pecans and craisens, poppy seed dressing, mmmmm) and the phone rang.
Richard answered it and went into the other room. I followed. He turned around and a smile the size of Texas was spreading across his face. I put a thumbs up and shrugged my shoulders, to ask “yes or no”. He put a thumbs up!
When he put the phone down I grabbed my You are the La Bomba singing Valentines Day card and opened it. Richard and I danced to the La Bomba until we heard the last “aye yi yi yi”.
And there you have it. Good news for this Boomer Rockin’ babe. My husband is gainfully employed. It’s in our city, actually less than three minutes from our doorstep. It has great benefits (INSURANCE!). He likes the people and the nonprofit aspect. It is a perfect job to help him gain the hours needed for licensing. He can work full-time and take his Masters since it’s so close to home and the university.
“What’s next?” I asked, winded from our happy dance.
“All I have to do is take the drug test this afternoon,” he said.
Oh no. . .
Did I mention that I was eating spinach salad with poppy seed dressing?
I laughed out loud.
For the first time in our marriage I rejoiced that my husband doesn’t love healthy cuisine.
Suz
20 Comments
Congratulations to you both — and praise to our mighty God who is always faithful to bring about what’s best at just the right time! Why do I sometimes forget that??!! Good grief!
Thanks Cheryl. I think that we all lose sight sometimes of Who God is. . . Thanks for your post. I appreciate you.
Yea!! I know two people who are waiting on God for jobs right now so this post is giving us hope!
I sooo needed your post today. I’ve been in a relationship with Jesus most of my life, but that old trust thing pops up more than I like to admit. Thanks for the encouragement. And thank you Jesus for answered prayer!!!
Thanks Karen. I’m so glad to meet you!
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! Please give your sweet hubby a big hug from me (okay, from all of your fellow Boomer Babes) right now, okay? I am so excited for him and for you. Thanks for sharing the journey with us. And as one of our Honorary Boomer Dudes, please ask Richard to post something for us - we’d love to hear from him!
Congrats!!! I’m so happy for you guys.
God is so good.
Sue
BBRDTHD (boomer babes rockin’, doing the happy dance!) Yeah!
(I know exactly how you feel - my husband finally got a full-time regular job in December after many years of school, and an internship - i think we walked around with our mouths open in awe for several days!)
Thanks Sue and Dianne! And Allison, Richard does read this every day at the university. But he was in the other room just now. I called out, “Hey Allison wants you to post”. He loved the idea. Watch out. A monster may have just been unleased. : )
Suz
Congrats! so exciting. And what a fun story of faith to tell your grandchildren someday–we serve a God who has perfect timing!
very cool….
Thank you, Keri. Do you know what’s most exciting? I get to write books again! I sent a proposal to my agent yesterday. I’ve held on to it, knowing that I couldn’t complete a book if contracted due to the number of hours spent on freelance.
I get to let go of a portion of my freelance now, which means I can actually finish a book if a publisher wants it. I have only one thing to say:
Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Woooo-hoooo!!! Congratulations!!! I’m crying tears of joy for you both!
What an inspiration you all are to us!
Hip hip HOORAY!!!! YAY GOD!!!! I am SOOO excited for you two! Yay! This is such good news.
Including the insurance. 
Thanks Flea and Tracy. You ladies are awesome. Tonight we went and celebrated. I also found a mother of the groom dress at 66% off! Yahoo!
WHOOO HOOOO!! Way to go Jesus! Way to go!
Oh yes, and you too Richard and Suzie for your faith in Him.
My heart is leaping and dancing with you. I actually read your husband’s post before this so I knew the outcome, and it was still a great read.
Everything is in His perfect timing. Why do we question when we always look back and see what He was up to?
We’re human!
Thanks Dotsie. : ) I think you are right.
Dearest daughter, everyday I praise God, for taking care of his own.
Today, I got my note book out to write down some bible notes, when I opened a new page, there was your little note saying I love you mom. With a heart and your name. No telling how long ago you did that. It made my day and I prased the Lord for you and Richard and of course for all my grandchildren and their spouses.
Love you sweetie. Mom xxxooo
Hey mom, It’s awesome that you found the blog. Very cool!
Hey BBR’s, this is my mom, Karen Morrison. She’s just turned 70, beautiful, and trying her best to conquer the computer. She gets frustrated, but I’m amazed at how she’s taught herself so much in such a short time.
Okay, I wrote a “spiffy” little comment here and now it disappeared. Poof!
Here it is again, only in its abbreviated form because for the life of me I can’t remember what I just said, except: CONGRATULATIONS YOU TWO!
I know because we walked in your steps and it wasn’t always easy! I think in some ways it was harder on Mark because he was used to being the “provider and protector.”
Our boys remember that time well (even though they were just 3 and 8). The graduation was LONG and my 3-year-old, Jon got bored, so he took of ALL his clothes! I quickly rushed him to the bathroom and missed my hubby walk across the stage. Sigh!
We all got through that time with a stronger faith to face the future!
HUGS TO YOU BOTH!