Perseverance – the KEY to finding a job!

Friday, July 20th, 2007, began as just another day… it was rainy here and very gloomy.

For over two years, I struggled with life, wondering if I would ever find another decent job… I was thankful that I had one, although it was a job for a twenty year old; lifting and bending constantly for eight hours a day, six days per week usually. My lower back and finger joints were in a lot of pain all the time. I knew the job was not something I should be doing, but I had no choice- I needed a paycheck.

Fortunately, I only had to deal with this for about two months. Yes, I was thankful for the paycheck, but my preferred training was in another area… Most would consider me a compu-holic… I would be unable to argue with anyone about that, I suppose (please, don’t even ask my wife – ha ha). The pc is my hobby, the tool for paying my bills and banking, my open door to other worlds when I need to ‘get away’ and so many other things to me that would take forever to try and explain.

But, something unusual happened yesterday that would make this day unlike any other day I have had the past couple of years… Just before leaving to go to work, I received a phone call from a state position that I applied for just recently… they were having trouble verifying my references. They had only been able to contact one of the three references on my list and were running out of time… I was told that I was one of the top candidates selected for the position, but they must have those references by quitting time Friday in order to submit my information to the state.

I left for work somewhat dismayed - another ‘dream’ (of a better life) was about to end in disappointment. This job was one I actually began to look for in 1976, just a year after leaving the Air Force. I had to give it up because of a growing family. It was a position in which I could help others as well as myself. All sorts of discouraging thoughts were going through my mind… am I just a loser?

About an hour after getting to work, I got the feeling I should check my cell phone. I had asked my wife to call me if anyone tried to contact me. There was a message from her on the phone…

 I GOT THE JOB!

Out of the 29 applicants who wanted the job, I was picked for one of the three open positions! I thought about it the rest of the night and everything seemed to go much smoother than usual. It is amazing what a positive event in ones’ life can do for the soul!

I wondered what happened that I should be chosen… was it something I said correctly during the interview? Perhaps it was because I am a veteran? Was it (as another blog owner mentioned that I commented on just recently) Divine Intervention? There have been so many prayers that have gone up for me over the past two plus years – did God decide it was time? We know He works on His own time schedule and two years to Him is nothing… did He finally say YES?

All I can say for certain that awarded me this position was perseverance. I stuck with it; I didn’t give up; I probably sent out over 100 resumes. (By the way, I have the perfect resume now, thanks to the great folks at the Department of Labor state career center)! One month ago, I would have said forget them – I know more than they do (from a past experience). If you want a copy of the format, just let me know and give me your e-mail address.

The future is now looking brighter because I decided not to give up! If you need a change, any change, I hope you will not give up either. Hope for a better future is worth the time and effort spent. Sometimes, hope seems to be ALL we have.

There is a group of prayer warriors I know who would love to pray for you and your situation if you want them to. It is called FRIENDS IN PRAYER. You don’t even need to give them your last, or your real name if you don’t want to. God knows who you are. It is a proven fact that God answers prayer… try it! Also, in every aspect of your daily life, make a determined, positive effort and stick to it!

Prove it to yourself – Perseverance is the key! I just proved it to me!  ~Howdy