Rebranded

I remember (not very proudly) that I used to think “happy holidays” was efficient during this time of year. I said it as often as I could. I elected to do this over “Merry Christmas.”  I justified this because Christmas and New Year’s occurred so closely together. So, rather than saying both, I simplified my holiday well-wishes. How wrong I was!

“Christmas” isn’t about being a holiday. It’s about Jesus, Who came, lived among us sinless, died, was crucified and buried. Three days later, He arose. So, I proudly, gladly, and gratefully now proclaim, “Merry Christmas!” I guess you can say I rebranded (correctly) my holiday well-wishes to a very simple, “Merry Christmas!” You know in the 1990s, WWJD was a common occurrence. Our former pastor mentioned the WWJD movement one time that Janie Tinklenberg never received a profit from this fad.

What if we rebranded WWJD to WWJD 2.0?

Watch. What. Jesus. Does.

More on this later . . .

I want to catch you up a bit on what has been happening.

I’m employed! Praise be to God!

After 4 months exactly, I began work on December 1. I know we’ve applied to more than 20 positions scattered over the months before we left Montana and once we got here. I had 4 interviews. The first interview was on August 23, the same day my wife had her interview. Essentially, we moved here on faith. Without a place to live. Without work. Without connections. I don’t recommend doing things this way, but even with some difficulties, I can tell you that it was the right thing for us to do.

I was never offered a second interview. I understand now why. What seemed quick and promising turned into about 120 days or so of waiting, praying, and waiting some more. Ultimately, I was offered 3 positions. That’s pretty good numbers, I think, but more on this in a bit.

I tried to keep myself busy and positive. One of the ways was by editing some of my classmate’s work. I participated in a men’s breakfast group. (A buddy pointed out had I began work immediately, I would not have been able to meet with these men, which proved helpful as you’ll see later.) I learned a lot about humility and about faith, and honestly, I think that’s exactly why I went through this season of unemployment. On one of the latter days I struggled, we prayed for a Godly intervention. And, He came through, just like He always does.

I had 2 job interviews on the same day on a Wednesday. I showed up late for one, which was a first for me. My GPS took me to it, but the name on the building was not what I expected it to be. So, I walked around Market Square, putting some 3000 steps in before the interview. This put me about 7 minutes late. This particular interview was for a state job working with individuals with developmental disabilities. The ladies (3 of them) were wonderful, very accommodating. They asked relevant and even fun questions. The interview went on for about 90 minutes! I told my wife I could see myself getting along with them, working well with them.

Around midday, I went to another interview for part-time contractual therapy work. This particular interview was a second interview. The first one went well. I even got to talk about my faith and why on Earth would we move without any plans for work, etc. I was pretty open about things, given the Christian nature of the program. During this second interview, the CEO spoke life into me and shared what God had done for her and her husband. It was powerful and positive. It was also timely. I needed to hear these things that she shared.

Ultimately, I was offered these two positions. This is a great problem to have, isn’t it!?

That Friday, I was at Kroger, running errands. You know, trying to be productive and helping. I had an interesting/strange conversation with a guy who ultimately gave me a sad story (which could have been true). I did pray for the man and his family regardless.

Interestingly, he claimed he worked at Glacier. Interesting in that we moved from Montana and were having this conversation. He also claimed I looked familiar although he did not look familiar to me. We spoke. He shared about his deceased daughter who died in an accident; he claimed to be in town for a benefit for her. He asked for prayers, and I agreed willingly.

However, he also asked for money. I explained I had been unemployed for about 3 months at the time of this conversation. At that very moment, my phone rang. This was around 9:30am. I explained this call may very well be work.

And it was. It was the state job, offering me the position! The phone call helped me escape one awkward situation only to find myself in another one.

I excused myself and walked back to my car so I could hear. All three ladies were excited and all joined together on speaker. I wish I could share with you what their energy felt like. I was blown away. I was excited and appreciative. I asked when they needed a response.

I was informed they needed an answer at 10, which was 30 minutes later. Even though I explained I had an interview coming up on Thursday, their situation called for a fairly immediate response.

I panicked. I began texting my wife and pastor. I prayed. I felt incredibly anxious and even fearful.

Remember the men’s group I told you about?

Interestingly, a brother had said that morning, “Fear is not from the Lord.” I knew what I had to do. I could not accept this position given the parameters that were in place.

As painful as it was to turn down a state job with benefits—a sure thing—for only an opportunity to interview for an unsure thing at the college…well, that was difficult. But I felt fear and anxiety. And I remembered what my brother said to me earlier. So, at 10, I called the ladies back and reluctantly declined the position. This was difficult. I felt their energy drop. I certainly did not want to disappoint them. I definitely needed the work. But I believe God provided that entire opportunity as a way to stretch my faith further. As I said no, interestingly, the anxiety went away.

With the other position, I had planned to work it along with a full time job. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I attended orientation for the contract therapy job. As I sat there, something inside me told me to put the brakes on this situation. Although I had done similar work previously, something did not feel right inside me. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the organization, its people, or the work they do. I have nothing but positive things to say about the thankless work they do. I just knew I would not be a good fit. I ended up calling the CEO and sharing these feelings with her. She was super kind and understanding.

So, I said no to two sure things. As a counselor, I live in shades of gray. A “hard no” or a “committing yes” have been challenging for me. I know that answer was the right answer for me. I began work at my new job—the ONE job I truly wanted throughout this whole process—on December 1.  I get to do what I have wanted to do throughout this whole time. My main plan was to get back to work at a community college. God blessed with the opportunity to do so.

There are some great quotes out there. I believe Rory Vaden gets the credit for this concept: When you say yes to the wrong thing, you’re saying no to the right thing. We have to make sure we say yes to the right things. I believe with the Lord’s help and guidance, prayers, and consultation with my wife and loved ones, I was able to say no to the wrong things and yes to the right thing.

If you ever catch yourself looking back at some events that seem connected by coincidence, I encourage you to give credit where it is due—to the Lord. If you catch yourself going through something that is a difficult, remember it’s a just a season, and it will pass. Stay grounded in faith and positivity. Find ways to contribute, to function, and to help as you are able. Pray and seek prayer. Talk with your spouse, your friends, and your pastor. Be honest with how you feel and with your struggles, especially with the Lord. If your coping looks different than someone else’s, that’s okay. You have to find what works for you. Please, though, do not give the devil a crack, or he’ll use it to create more doubts, discouragements, and distractions.

When we prayed for an intervention that time, I wasn’t sure how it would go or look. But, these are things we’ve been praying months about—the move, jobs, schools, church, etc. People have been praying for us, too. God answered.

I heard Steven Furtick preach about Abraham and Sarah and their wait to have a child of their own. He said if God had blessed them at 40, they would have believed it was something they had done. By blessing them later in life, they knew their blessing was from the Lord. I feel the same way. Work has been beyond exceptional. I feel like I’ve been there much longer than the short time I have actually been there. People have showered me with kindness and excitement. I’ve been truly blown away. I know it is nothing that I have done. Not one thing. But it is everything that God has done for us.

All of this to tell you God is real. He answers prayers. And it is powerful, powerful, powerful when He blows you away like He has us. Although I get paid monthly, I received my first check before the break. This comes after moving across the country (which isn’t cheap), after renting the moving truck an extra 4 nights (which isn’t cheap), after blowing through whatever savings were left, after wondering how we’re going to pay rent and my student loans that kick in January. This comes when I had licensure to pay for due by December 31. This comes after we had Christmas and a child’s birthday at the end of the year.

Folks, God provides!

People ask how I am, and my typical reply is “I’m good.” Let me clarify. I’m good not because of anything that I do or have done. I’m good because He lives in me. Just like He lives in you, too, if you let Him.

Remember WWJD? I told you: Watch what Jesus does. Give Him the opportunity to “rebrand” your life. A relationship with Jesus will change your life and the lives of others . . . if you let it. (See Ephesians 4:22-24 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 for encouragement.) It certainly has changed mine, my wife’s, and my children’s.

I’m so grateful Christmas means more than it does on the surface. I’m grateful God loved us so much He sent His Son to die for our sins. I’m also grateful we get to have a relationship with Jesus. Rebrand your “happy holidays” to “Merry Christmas.” Rebrand yourself to being a Christ-follower. When you do, watch what Jesus does in your life.

Merry Christmas!

#Christmas #Rebranding #Jesus #JesusChrist #Changes