STATISTICS

"Can I Have Your Attention, Please?"

This was the name of the sermon this morning at church.

The pastor talked about things God does to get our attention and how sometimes, when we don't listen to His whispers or His taps on the shoulder, He eventually has to hit us square between the eyes with a two-by-four.

Friday morning I got a swift and very unexpected smack.

For once again in my life, I received an unwelcome invitation to become a part of yet another group in which I had absolutely no interest in joining.

This time: Unemployed.

With a simple email to less than a dozen employees stating only, "Meet me in the conference room in 5 minutes" we were told our positions no longer existed.

To make matters worse, this was an immediate departure and our benefits were to end at the end of that day.

No severance pay. No warning. Nothing.

We all sat in silence listening to the apologies. Then afterwards, we cried a little. Hugged. Swapped phone numbers and personal emails. Assured each other we would keep in touch and make sure and pass along any job leads that may apply to the other person.

But mostly we were shocked. I still am.

I immediately let some people know who I thought may be in a position to help me find a job. Contacted a friend who is in charge of Human Resources for the company she works for to look over the letter I was handed stating my being laid-off (I suppose for reasons of collecting unemployment) and if my benefits ending on that day was actually accurate (or legal).

On my drive home, I decided I'd give myself a little time before the kids got home to be upset. Because when they got home, I wanted to tell them what happened but also be able to assure them things were going to be fine. I don't believe in hiding every 'bad' thing from them, otherwise they'll never actually learn by watching someone handle obstacles presented before them.

So tomorrow starts yet another 'new-kind-of-normal' for me. After dropping the kids off at school, I'll return home to hit the ground running at a full-sprint to try and find a job as quickly as possible. I was really hoping my next job would allow me to do something I love. Something more closely related to my field. I'd hoped to have a little (okay, a lot) more time to search for something. Unfortunately, it's looking like I may have to take one of first things that comes my way in order to take care of business under this roof we call 'home'.

I'm forever grateful for the friend who unexpectedly showed up at my door Friday with a week's worth of groceries saying, "Here's one less thing you have to worry about right now". I embarrassingly cried, both out of gratitude and embarrassment. I absolutely despise being in a position of need, even though I'm sure by this time it's become part of my persona. And I hate that, too. I like being the one to help. I like being the one who 'comes to the rescue'. And truth be told, I haven't been able to do that, at least not in the sense of things like this, for a long time.

I'm thankful for the prayers I know the kids and I are receiving.

And I'm hopeful those prayers bring what I need most right now and what no one can help me with...a paycheck. Well, I guess one person can help with that, I just haven't met them yet.

My next employer.

Whoever said 'money doesn't solve problems' hasn't lived in my shoes. I can't think of one, single thing money wouldn't help with right now.

I'm hopeful I don't last long in this particular statistical category.

Trying to Always Remember and Never Forget: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6.