Some things I learned from being “laid off”:
God has it all taken care of and I need not fret. I started my new job the last day I received severance pay. I never had to live off of unemployment insurance, I have no gap in employment and I didn’t have to work anything out about my student loans– all bills paid in full on time. That was an amazing blessing and though I was prepared for things to be much more difficult– it worked out perfectly.
I know who I am, and I’m glad to be me. I spoke openly about my faith in interviews and how serving God by loving others is my motivation for work. And surprise! It was well-received.
I may not see very far ahead, but I can see where I’ve been and where I am. I did not realize two years ago what working at Samaritan Community Center would be for me– seminary, missions field practice and quirky family all rolled into one. I have changed and become more myself because of the experience. I can see now that my time there has prepared me for where I am now. And I have to grand scheme or 5-year plan to credit with this– it is all God’s providential hand guiding (and at times shoving)me to where He wants me. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
The “tactics” and resources I used in finding work:
1. I prayed. A lot. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
2.I made a list of places and people I should contact the very day I was laid off. May have been in shock at the time, but it proved useful.
3. I took some time to evaluate, mostly using this book: The Job Hunters Survival Guide
4. I made business personal. “Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.” I went door to door handing in applications, I called people, I sent resumes (last resort), I contacted friends, acquaintances and anyone I could think of to help me in my search. I used the knowledge I had about my field and community to find my niche.
5. I slept in. (It’s in that book) There have to be some positive angles to not having a job. I was a well-rested but hard-working unemployed woman.
Thank you all who prayed for me and encouraged me in my job search! You are a blessing! You may collect your hugs whenever I next see you. 
I am very thankful to be working at the NWA Women’s Shelter and I’m excited to see what God has in store.
megstar
jdsegra
