If you can't make it better you can laugh at it. ~Erma Bombeck

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, April 14, 2008

Miracle Monday: Ordained Employment

In December 1979 I was the proud, almost single, totally unemployed, mother of a 6-month-old baby boy. After complaining about the unwanted advances of a manager with 4 kids and a wife at home I was told that my services were no longer necessary. In those days there was no such thing as sexual harassment or wrongful termination lawsuit fear. If women complained, they were fired. And if they dared to raise a stink, they were blacklisted. Couple this experience with the devastation of my marital meltdown and any relationship with men was understandably not high on my Christmas wish list. Thankfully, I was living in my parent’s home and didn’t have to worry about how to care for my little Bug. After Christmas, I hit the bricks running, hoping to find a job that paid enough for me to be able to move us out on our own as soon as possible. In His infinite wisdom, however, God had already decided that I needed some more time there and arranged it so that I didn’t find another job until the perfect one that met His plan’s requirements presented itself.

I was so sick of going on interviews that I almost didn’t accept the one at the big steel fabrication company that was over 20 miles away from home. The employment agency lady (I wish I could remember her name!) was so sweet and had worked so hard for me, though, that I didn’t really have the heart to turn her down. Like her, they thought that I was perfect for their junior buyer position since I had both purchasing and previous steel fabrication shop experience. They hired me on the spot, pending the outcome of my background and employment history verifications which would take several days to complete. The next Monday, I was thrilled to be finally starting the new job.

Upon arriving I sat in the Personnel Department lobby talking to a woman who was also starting that day as the secretary for the engineering group. We were both glad to have met so that we’d have someone to grab lunch with on that always scary first day. I was thrilled to hear that she’d wanted to work at this company so badly that she turned down another very nice job in order to get into one more in line with her career plans. It lessened my fears that I’d made a mistake in going to work for yet another male dominated company.

After about an hour of us sitting there, the manager of the Personnel Department took me in his office and informed me that a woman who had been out on medical leave had returned. He had just learned that she wanted the position and, since they had a strong policy of promoting qualified staff from within, they were obligated to give her the job. He was so very sorry and embarrassed by the whole thing, but his hands were tied. I wanted to claw his eyes out, but instead I took a deep breath and let him off the hook. I knew that if I had been that woman, I’d have wanted the same fair treatment. All I needed to do was call my agent and tell her what had happened and let my new friend know that she’d need to find another lunch buddy.

After spending what seemed like an eternity on hold, I was finally put through. She answered in an excited, out of breath giggle. “I’m SO glad you called! I just hung up with the people who have YOUR job.” When I’d first signed up with her we talked at length about my strong interest in the emerging data processing field. There was just something about computers that made sense to me. I loved the new technology and my fondest wish was to find a way to get into that world.

“Are you dressed for an interview?” she asked. Well, yes, I had just been dumped at the employment altar, so I really was all dressed up with no place to go. “Great! I want you to go across the freeway and talk to the Director of Data Processing. They don’t know it yet, but their position has just been filled!” Her excitement was contagious and I found myself actually feeling really good about my job prospects for the first time in weeks. The woman knew her stuff. They hired me on the spot, accepting the agency’s background and employment history investigations. I started work immediately.

So where’s the miracle? It is in that fact that this past weekend I celebrated 27 years of mostly blissful marriage to one of the three men I went to work for at the company that God had prepared for my arrival. As it turned out, the woman who was supposed to be starting that day as their data processing secretary had called Friday afternoon to say she’d found a better job. At a steel fab company across the freeway.



More of today's Miracle Monday posts.

If you would like to share your life's miracles, or just read about those in other people's lives, please join us at A Mom's Life every Monday. Believe me, you will be blessed and uplifted by the experiences shared.

30 comments:

  1. What a great story. It gave me goosebumps.

    Drop by when you have a chance. I have something for you (on Sunday's post.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is a magnificent story! And happy belated anniversary :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Debbie - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'll be by soon to see what wonderous gift you've left for me. I can hardly wait!
    =================
    Denise - Isn't He though! ;o)
    =================
    Kalynne - I love big words; especially the ones that mean you like my stuff! ;o)

    Thanks for the good wishes, too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. wow, I guess everything works out in one way or another doesn't it.
    A blessing

    ReplyDelete
  5. God is so cool! I love it when he does things like this!

    What a wonderful miracle. And I'm so glad you see it as a MIRACLE. Many people would be tempted to look at it as coincidence or "fate". But you know otherwise!

    Thank you for sharing your miracle on Miracle Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Isn't it wonderful? God has everything under control even when we feel like everything is totally out of control!

    ReplyDelete
  7. God's hand on His children'life.
    Wonderful story. Nothing seems to be "moderate" in your life. Your husband's encounter was really unexpected and unintentional.
    "Those who encounter their husband/wife at work, raise your hand!"I do.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful story. Congratulations on 27 years. Margie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous! Happy Anniversary. What a great story. The Lord surely does know what He is doing. Sometimes it is our
    job to: GET OUT OF HIS WAY!
    Pax, EJT

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a wonderful story- thank you. It has lifted me up today (even though it is Tuesday!) God truly watches over us all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Angela - Yes, sweetie, they do work out one way or another, most always for your good in the end even though in the midst of all the chaos it seems there's no relief sight. If we just hang on, it will all be OK. ;o)
    ================
    Beth - Thanks for stopping by. I love that you came up with this Miracle Monday idea. It is such a wonderful vehicle for helping people realize that in all reality, there are no coincidences. It's all moving us forward to a destiny that only God knows fully.
    ===============
    Brandi - Wonderful is an understatement. I wish there was some way to help everyone understand how peaceful it can be when we quit agonizing over every moment of every day and just let it happen. That's not to say we don't take care of our responsibilities and continue to do the best we can, but that worrying thing... nah. That's the part that's not my job. ;o)
    ================
    Catherine - No, nothing in my life has ever been moderate. But it's all been geared toward preparing me to help others overcome their trials and celebrate their triumphs. I've truly been blessed - even through the pain.

    And ummm, that meeting the husband at work hand raising thing - I'd need another hand to raise. Can I substitute a foot so I can cover all three times? LOL!
    ===============
    Margie - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
    ===============
    Tänia - That thinkin' I know better has caused me more trouble! LOL! Thanks for popping in.
    ===============
    Elizabeth - Thank you, ma'am. I've lived long enough that I've learned all kinds of creative ways to get IN his way. LOL! The miracle is when he shakes his head, steps around me and just keeps on laying out his path in front of me.
    ===============
    Marilyn - God sends us where we need to be when we need to be there - even on Tuesdays. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  12. That was an AWESOME story!!! I just love when we can see God's fingerprints all over our lives!

    Thanks so much for sharing and thanks for your kind comments at my place. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow, what an amazing story! It's awe-inspiring how things turn out, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  14. God works in mysterious ways!!

    Thanks for the story. It made my day!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have CHILLS from reading this!! WOW! What a story :-)

    Happy Anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Once again God shows us he has a plan for us all. What a great story thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. what an amazing story! truly a miracle and God's plan at work.

    thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. what an amazing story! truly a miracle and God's plan at work.

    thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's a wonderful story, love. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh, that was such a lovely story. And cute graphics too.
    Just to let you know that I read all your posts, almost as soon as you put them up. But others seem to say such poignant things, and I don't want to say anything trite. So I just read and sit in awe of your writing.

    And on that note, how is Your Girl doing? She lasted over the weekend - and so did you since you are posting - but not, I notice, since Monday. So how goes the week? Everyone still okay?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Webcam, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://webcam-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh - wow! This is a terrific story! Funny how things always work out for the best. That God, he really knows what he's doing, doesn't he?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey Lady, I read this the day you posted but never commented...duh! This was a truly remarkable story. Isn't it funny sometimes the way things work out. God is good! How are things going with your girl? Hope they are better than last week at this time. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just stopping by to say hi. I have been swarmed with everything, and tonight I am catching up on some of my favorite blogs.

    I have missed you making me laugh.

    Oh, and THANK YOU for telling idiot people on my blog where to go and what to do when they get there.

    We MUST meet someday!!

    (((HUGS))) to you and thank you so much for all of the support.

    Pam and Rhett

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is unbelievable! I hope you had lunch with her that day after all. But, you were probably too busy with your new, perfectly chosen and miracle job.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow that's increibly coincidental!

    Congratulations on all of the great things that came from that experience!

    I hope everythings going well with your girl!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tracy - fingerprints when he's guiding us; footprints when he's carring us. ;o)
    ===============
    Ms. Awed ;o) - yep, it is.
    ===============
    UtMom - My whole life has been one mysterious intervention after another. Can't wait to share more of it.
    ================
    AZ - thank you. Now go put on a sweater before you catch a cold. ;o)
    ================
    Brandy - Yes, he does have plans for us. The hardest thing we have to do is stay out of His way so He in the process!
    ===============
    Jen - thank you. See above and then get back to work. ;o)
    ===============
    Angie - It was even more fun to live. ;o)
    ===============
    Dragonstar - Wasn't it Jimmy Durante who said 'I got a million of 'em.' LOL!
    ===============
    Jules - You are so sweet. And just so you know, I'd never think anything you had to add or even repeat was trite. ;o)

    I'll post an update on the girl soon. Thanks for asking. (she's doing fine right now, though)
    ===============
    Webcam - please go away and never bother me again. But even THIS can't make me put the word verification thing back on!
    ===============
    Melody - It is amazing how smart God is! ;o) Thanks for stopping by.
    ===============
    Sandra - Hi sweetie. God has given me a truly remarkable life. I love having these miracle mondays as a vehicle for sharing it all. Hope to see you back with a new post soon, too.
    ===============
    Pam - HI HONEY! I'm so glad that Rhett is doing well enough for you to be able to get around some again.

    That anonymous coward who said all that crap the other day really ticked me off. Everybody in my world knows that you can mess with me all you want to, but DON'T FREAKIN' MESS WITH MY KIDS!! Even those adopted through cyberspace.

    (((HUGS))) back atcha, and smoochies for your kiddos.
    ===============
    Heather - I actually tried to contact her a couple of times but she never returned my calls. Then life moved on. Just the way God planned it. ;o)
    ================
    Brats Mom- some would call it a coincident. And if it was the only time something so amazing had ever happened to me, maybe I'd think so, too, but for me it will always be a push onto the right path by a loving God who's always had my back. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Damama! Two new posts and a fun new *old* picture! Come visit when you get the chance! XOXO

    ReplyDelete

WELL HOWDY!! Thanks so much for popping in to leave a note. PLEASE be sure to check the box by "E-mail follow-up comments to..." so that you'll get my response to your comment. I almost always respond personally And sorry for making you do the Word jumble mambo. I wish there weren't A***ole spammers running rampant in the blogverse!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails