The Bigger World

As I sit here in reflection, having drifted in thought while gazing at my backyard, I look up from my backyard and see the bayou and it's greenery over my backyard's fence. This gives me an astounding revelation: so often I focus too heavily on my little scope of the world and my problems, yet I often neglect to see the bigger world - it's beauty, possibilities and how I can contribute to it all. GOD placed me here to serve a purpose, HIS purpose - not to stagnate within my petty little problems. After all, HE is the Author and Finisher of my faith, my Creator and Provider of all that I am ever to be and be in need of. I need to be about HIS business and to commit to and entrust all of these things that only HE can work out anyway.

Stepping Forward

Alas! I am unemployed again, yet I am not stopping to worry or pine. Moving forward is the only viable option. I have faith that HE will work it all out and I need to be about living life and doing HIS will. One very important thing I have learned about life: there are always obstacles and disappointments along the way and if I choose to get up and step forward then I have made the best decision possible.

Employment

I worked from July 22, 2010 through February 2, 2011 at a construction job and was laid off for reduction in force. I have been laid off for 2 and 1/2 weeks now and the industry is moving along so slowly that the list I am on to be called when a job becomes available has not even moved at all. Some people ahead of me on the list have been laid off for a month already!

Politicians and the news media claim the economy has improved, yet there should be residual effects of this purported improvement apparent in our lives. All that is apparent are rising prices of gas which causes rising prices in everything else because gas is required to ship merchandise and produce to the stores across our country.

Ripples

It is amazing how the acts of others, (be they right next to us or half a world away) affect our lives so dramatically. It simply astounds me to experience this phenomenon first hand. News is given about the personal lives of certain people and because we react or do not react according as someone else does, this creates completely unnecessary drama. So bizarre , how common an occurrence this actually is.

Into the new beginning

I am pleased to say that my new job that is coupled with actual classroom training is going well. I have so much to learn and I get to spend the rest of my career learning the challenging things encompassed therein! One of my favorite subjects is integral to success in this field - mathematics, (i.e. algebra, trig, etc.). I am loving it and I give GOD all the honor, praise and glory for providing this career and opening up the door for me to better provide for my family, in Jesus' Name! Amen! :-)

Vendors and Competitors

Having been back at my old job for almost a month now, I find out just how severely the state of the economy has affected the businesses of vendors and competitors world wide. In the three months while I was "laid-off," several vendors from around the world went out of business. - One of the vendors supplied a product that was a major seller for the company I work for! During a conversation with a customer this morning, I learned that two of the major competitors of said company are literally running on a shoe string with as minimal staff as possible to meet customers' demands and skirt overhead. I was shocked to learn this, being out of the loop for even that short a period of time. Wow!

New Old Job

Back in March I was laid off from my job I worked at for two and a half years. This happened on March 17th, 2010. Last week they call me and offered my job back. Honestly, I never thought I'd hear from them again. So, I was very surprised when my boss called me. I accepted it and went through all the drug testing and the physical again. I started back on Monday. It is good to be out of the unemployment line. I like to work and I am grateful to have a job again, even if it is a new old job. :-)