Your life might not be going according to plan, but that might be a good thing!

I have always had a job since graduating college 20 years ago. However, that changed when I took an opportunity in a different industry and was laid off a year later despite working as hard as ever and putting in long work hours.

I applied to many positions right after losing my job, landed interviews, and even made it to the final round multiple times. I thought this was going to last, at most, a couple of months. However, I did not get the job as quickly as expected. There are times when I am down, especially after not getting an offer following multiple interviews. As a man, I grew up learning the importance of hard work, of being my family’s provider, and of offering my work to God. I want to provide my family with a comfortable life. It pains me not to be able to do that.

However, most of the time I see blessings I would not have had if my path had continued the way I wanted. For example, I am attending mass at least once during the week, visiting the Most Blessed Sacrament, and going to confession more often. I cannot use the old “I don’t have time” excuse anymore. My final goal is getting to heaven, and I am confident I have a better chance of achieving it through this experience. I plan to continue these habits after getting a new job as best as I can.

I learned not to take anything for granted and to adjust. I am aware many are undergoing more complicated situations. I am grateful to have my house, car, and food. I have the support and understanding of my family. However, being out of work required me to change my perspective. When I do the groceries I now price check and think about my purchases. In the past, I only did that for big-ticket items. I had to cancel a furniture delivery we had expected for months and were due a couple of weeks following the layoff. I wanted to go travel with my family, which we had to postpone. This humbling experience reminds me that Jesus was not wealthy in the worldly sense of the word. Wealth can be good, but it won’t help me get to Heaven unless I am generous and know it is not the ultimate goal.

Although sometimes I don’t see it or dismiss it, I know deep down that God is helping my family go through this. I am learning the meaning of trust and faith, opening my eyes to how God has helped us in many ways.

My wife was able to find a job quickly after many years out of the workforce
We unexpectedly received a check from a hospital that had miscalculated the insurance 8 years ago
I experienced and felt the warmth of my friends and family’s kindness and generosity; they have spent time looking for opportunities and contacts at their places of work or have even offered financial help.
I now see an opportunity to start my own business; a family member offered me to partner with him. I always wanted independence, but I never had the courage to leave the stability of my corporate paycheck. Now I don’t have to overcome that step.

How God is providing for me through others and in different ways reminds me of Matthew 6:26-34: “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span? Why are you anxious about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’ All these things the pagans seek. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides. Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

God does not give us challenges we cannot overcome. I am weak and can see Him carrying me. I encourage looking at your life’s trajectory from a supernatural point of view, making the decision to trust God and to stay positive. It might not be the path we originally planned, but have faith that it is ultimately better.

Joseph A
PFC Volunteer