Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for work.  This is an area where I have struggled.

I was fired from one job (under shady circumstances), laid off twice due to budget cuts, and walked away from two jobs due to high stress.  My jobs have given me the usual ups and downs that we all experience, but they have also been some of the biggest trials in my life.

However, I am thankful for the ability to work.  I am not independently wealthy so I must work to live.  Being single means I am the only one to provide an income.  The longest I was ever unemployed was 7 weeks and I had enough through unemployment benefits to manage financially until I started working again.  God has always laid out jobs and given me the strength to work.

Two of my jobs were ministry related.  Like Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”  Ministry brings big challenges and heavy burdens.  It also brings great joy and wonderful opportunities to store up treasure in heaven.  I am thankful for the opportunity to have serve in paid ministry positions.

Today I am excited to be away from work for a nice, extra long weekend.  A chance to rest and become refreshed. 🙂