Lessons From A Layoff

It's been a year--a year ago today--that Ben was laid off. Waking up to that Black Friday a year ago, it felt black. I was shell shocked, scared and overwhelmed. I had no idea how we'd survive, how we'd pay our bills, how the kids would react, or how our marriage would be effected. Sitting here 365 days later, I feel like it's time to record some of the lessons I learned during this time and why I see Ben's layoff as one of the most profound blessings of my life. Here are the first two.

Lesson One:

"I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you."

- John 14:18

In the midst of the blackness of that last morning of Ben's job, there was peace. At times it felt like it would slip away, but the peace stayed with me and sustained me during those hours when I wanted to panic. Each time I allowed myself to look at our bank balance, think about Christmas, or wonder about how much our credit score would tumble, the peace came. The Lord, in his mercy, surrounded me with his spirit even though I felt too numb to pray. He knew--as he always does--that I needed him to reach out and carry me because I felt too paralized to move.

Lesson Two:

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid

... for the Lord thy God ... will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

- Deut. 31:6

Throughout that first month of the layoff, there was no time for us to feel forgotten or forsaken, because the tender mercies that carried us came daily. Throughout the month of December, not one, or two, or three, but four Secret Santas showered our family with love. There were constant phone calls, emails and visits from family and friends, all offering their encouragement, love and support for our family. And come Christmas morning, our tree was surrounded by gifts--gifts that were made possible by the generousity and great personal sacrifice of others. We saw the service to our family-- both great and small--as the tangible expressions that the Lord knew and loved us.