Daddy's Disclosures

Laid Off

Over the past two weeks, I’ve been mulling over a blog post. I’ve been somewhat at a loss for words.(In quietness and confidence is my strength…., I trust the Lord, with patience, I wait on Him.) I have had the opportunity to catch up on current events, ponder has happened to me, dream about Dreams, meet with much wiser men, seek the Lord and even do a little painting on the side. So, with that, I would like to lay out what happened, sprinkle on a little perspective and wrap it all up with what I am doing right now.

Rewind six months. I was hired by the company in the summer of 2008 by the then CFO. Being at a place in my career where I was seeking the guidance of a mentor and a faster pace, the move made sense. I was hired to oversee the Accounting Department for the purpose of helping the company become clean and efficient as they relates to the Accounting System. “What a challenge, this is right up my alley,” I thought. I love EXCELLENCE and making processes better. The business changed more in those six months than I can begin to describe. The company opened an International Office, changed IT providers, created and implemented a newer/more in-depth Financial Reporting System, moved offices from Trussville to Downtown, had a round of layoffs(some of which had no cross trained backup) and hired some heavy hitting industry experts. To that end, for the next six months I worked at least 12 hours a day, no exaggerating! I worked day and night dissecting the financials to learn the business, developing useful reports, creating and implementing new controls, etc. Though I had quite a few obstacles along the way, I felt like I was making noticeable progress.

Then, on Friday at 4:30 on January 9, 2009 I got the news that the company would no longer need my services. Now, my former self, under the circumstances, would have probably hit the roof. The incredible thing of it all was that I had a COMPLETE PEACE as I sat in that chair and lost my job. Something in the depth of my soul urged me to stay calm. I felt wrapped in God’s arms at that very moment. I must say, the Bearer of Bad News himself was more tore up than I. I asked plenty of questions, thanked him for the opportunity and felt led to minister, “my hope is not in the things of this world, I am going to be just fine”. So, 1 John 2:15 is the first verse that came to mind.

On my way home, as I spoke with Lindsay about what had happened, I told her about the peace I had. “and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart”(Philippians 4:7) came to mind. It is unmistakable - that peace. I have only had that peace a couple of times in my life. Most of them were instances where I couldn’t have sanely looked at the circumstances and functioned. Lindsay’s response strengthened me even more. No gasps, no anger or conclusions, just questions and understanding. She had a confidence about her. Lindsay is very practical and practically she replied, “so what are you going to do”. “Seek God’s will”, I replied.

I got home and began unpacking my office things and I ran across a stack of bible verse cards that were strewn all over the place. As I shuffled them together, because that’s what we OCD Accountants do, I thought to read the top card as though God has some direct line of communication with me. 1 Peter 4:12,13 jumped off of the card, “beloved, think it not strange the fiery trial which is to try you…”, confirmation that God is with me. Then 1 Peter 1:6,7 jolted my mind, “rejoice, though for a season, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations….that your faith might be found to praise and honor and glory…” All of this is awesome. My faith is being strengthened and I know that the Author and Perfector is making straight my path.

As I try to figure out the meaning or purpose behind all of this, I realize that it would do me very little to bash the company, the decision, or the owner. I have no ill feelings at all about my given circumstance. I’m not sure where I will be in the next couple of months. I do know this though. In every instance where I have grown, it was after a time of hardship/anguish. I know that in these times, I got going. I didn’t wait around or believe that I could just be idle and God would drop something in my lap. I worked hard to make sure that I was putting myself in places where His will could manifest itself. I’ve tried to make things happen by myself, but in most cases, I just worked hard. Right now, I do not feel as thought I am enduring some hardship. I am trying to figure out if my confidence supersedes any anxiety and just how long this “trial” will last. Please pray for us that it is quick, and according to His will.