a click for my thoughts

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” NIV

*And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God* (another version)

Indeed, God always make a way. He works in many wondrous, mysterious, and unexpected or even unconventional ways. And yet, the results are always the same—always for our best interest. I’ve seen the hand of God work through people least expected, and I have experienced His providence through unexpected ways. And one of those unexpected ways happened in August 2007

While staying at home brings and gives me rest, relaxation, and flexible time, I feel it also dulls my mind. And though I love spending time with my niece and play with her, and closely watch her grow, I still feel I am cut-out for something else. But because my future plans for the career I have chosen has slightly been put on hold, I look forward to actually work for a living. Hence, I started looking for a job in a field related to the university degree I received. My qualification was only limited to a small range of job offerings from the science field, but with much prayer and after several months of looking, I found one I can apply to—a position as a laboratory assistant. I couldn’t believe how it seemed to pop out of nowhere all of a sudden. The job would provide me with a good laboratory experience plus it welcomed recent graduates, offers training, and does not require related experience. So I sent my resume and was amazed when I received a phone call on that same day. I was asked to come in for an interview the following week. I praised and thank God for, surely, all of that had happened wouldn’t be possible without His guiding hand. Yet, while preparing for the interview and as the date closes I began to wonder. Who would take my place as my niece’s babysitter? But “be anxious for nothing” the Bible said, so I still went to the job interview. After a couple of weeks I was asked to return and attend the second interview. This time I was even more concerned about my niece. Although I knew it is technically not my primary concern and that I have prayed for this job opportunity, I can’t help but wrestle with the thought and the decision of having to actually work in case I would be offered a position, and leave nobody to take care of my niece. My mom was willing to take my place in taking care of my niece, but that would mean she would resign from a stable job. If that would be the case, the arrangement seemed to be temporarily advantageous and would be a disadvantage in the long run. And though it seemed that the opportunity was God’s answer to my prayers, I, along with prayer of thanksgiving, continued to pray for assurance that acquiring this job is according to His will; and if it is not, then let His will be done.

My second interview went well. A week passed and no job position was offered. I love the idea of working, but I kept praying that God will help me decide nonetheless. Another week passed and still no call from the company. I prayed that if the company hires me by the end of the week, I would take it as a sign that it was His will for me. But if not, then He has something else planned for me, and in the meantime I would continue taking care of my niece until I am able to leave for a mission trip. Yet, another week passed and I didn’t receive any offered position. Thanking God for the opportunity and experience, I made my decision to concentrate on my other goals and allot my time in taking care of my niece. So after much prayer, I made an arrangement with my sister to take care of her daughter for a given period of time. Soon after that I was asked to babysit another child to which I easily agreed to since it’s what I would be doing anyway.

After at a least a month since my second interview for a position as a lab assistant, and just when I was convinced I would never hear from that company again, I received a call from them along with a job offer. I felt pleased and honored, but I declined their offer in honor of the new commitment I made with my sister and with a friend. And looking back, I do not regret making such decision for though I may not have gained a big monthly income, I gained a greater blessing.

I consider the experience to be something in which God’s providence was at work. Indeed His timing was just right. Though it may seemed that His answer to my prayer for a job was a little too late, to me, it was just perfect. If I received that offer earlier, I wouldn’t have been a part of His answer to a friend’s and a sister’s prayer for a sitter. If I had been hired earlier, I would be waking up very early each morning of every weekday, or making up for the absences presented from acquiring my Canadian citizenship. Instead, I am enjoying lots of free time and quite a flexible schedule that allows me to travel to US with my family to attend a wedding and to visit my cousin, and a time that allows me to work on achieving my other goals. And though I don’t take care of Chloee anymore, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the wonderful and fun times with her if I had been hired earlier. I wouldn’t have been able to closely watch my niece, Yzabelle, grow and appreciate the things she learned and discovered to do. And I realized that if I had been hired earlier, I would have to postpone fulfilling my promise to God in serving Him as a short-term overseas missionary.

I also knew that if I had been hired earlier, God will bless me still. Whether I was hired because my insistence or because He willed it, I know His blessings would still continue. His blessing fall upon both the wicked and the righteous, does it not? But if I was hired earlier because I was insistent and regardless of what He wants for me, I wouldn’t have experience this greater joy of knowing what this particular experience taught me.

I also knew that if He willed that I’d be hired, He will find answers and make a way to provide for the concerns I had. He will make all things work out; and that was just it—He did make all things work out for good. Perhaps not through the way I expected it to be, but He still made it work. Perhaps it wasn’t my time to provide service to other people just yet. Who knows? But God knows best. He allowed the call to be a little late to help me decide, yet He also made it possible for me to receive that call so I would get that boost of morale I needed. To me, God seemed to be saying, “You are able and qualified for that job, but I needed you for something else.” And that made my heart glad, my confidence intact, my faith a little stronger, and my mind at peace. This experience gave me another evidence to testify to His goodness, faithfulness, and promises.  I know that I can count on Him for I know “that all things work together for good to those who love God”. Praise be to God!

~ by klengsfile on October 20, 2007.