Turn! Turn! Turn!

I am reminded of so many quotes and songs this evening that apply to my situation in life at the moment.

First is the title, the song popularized by the Byrds. You know the song, "To everything (turn, turn, turn) there is a season (turn, turn, turn) and a time to every purpose under heaven." It's based on a verse in Ecclesiastes, and what I'm taking away from it tonight is that a time in my life has ended. [And if you wanna hear this great song, you can click here.]

I have been laid off from my job. It was quite a blow, honestly; I was not expecting it at all. I was offered a contract position, but I declined it because I was not interested in doing contract work for them. At first, I was very emotional. I went back to my desk after the meeting, sat down, realized I had to pack up my things, and then left because I was on the verge of breaking down. I tried to call Jarrod and tell him the news, but he wasn't answering. I left the bathroom, after splashing my face with some water, and returned to start packing up my things. I then cried a little more, but was trying to not make a scene. My coworker heard me and asked if I was okay. After composing myself for a brief moment, I shared the news that I was not going to be there on Monday. I noticed Jarrod had tried to call, so I left to call him back, and the news was obviously not what he wanted to hear either. I finished packing up and left, after saying goodbye to my three friends there. That was tough.

I read over the contract they offered me, made my decision, and went by today to tell them I was declining.  I think that the HR lady was half surprised, half not.

But in talking with my friend just now, and reading a couple blogs, I am starting to truly see the good side to all this. She also shared this wonderful quote: "God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desires of our hearts." -John Newton. Earlier today after I talked with HR and told them I was declining, I had a nervous knot in my stomach for a while. I wondered 'Did I do the right thing?' Now, I am happy to say that has subsided. I now feel that this was God's little nudge for me to move on. If this wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have quit. I was just going to keep chuggin' along like everything was fine, when in reality I knew that I needed to get out. I knew that I had no potential there; I knew I was barely tapping into my creativity; I knew I was unhappy.

But now that I'm free, I have hope. I feel that with some prayers, I have bigger and better things on my horizon. I know that sometime soon (maybe not as soon as I would like) I will find a decent job.

Where would I be if I didn't have any sort of belief in God? I would be an unhappy, unemployed crab apple. But instead, I have hope for better things. "Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead!"--I Peter 1:6