Friday, November 21, 2014

FMF - NOTICE



TGIF!!  Thank Goodness it's Friday!!!  And time to join a great group of bloggers for the Five Minute Friday challenge...on Thursday evening we receive a word and are challenged to write for five minutes without thinking about it or any editing.  Try it sometime, it really is challenging!  Check out Five Minute Friday

So, today's word is "NOTICE " - and here goes my post...



A "pink slip"; a notice that you are no longer needed...a look of "You knew this was coming" but now there is nothing that you can do about it.  A piece of paper that changes your whole life - and the words that couldn't be read for the tears flowing down your face...four years of your life over, finished, DONE...just like that!  I felt as if I were a failure; that I had failed in keeping a job that I loved!

That was about four years ago; and my life did go on!  That notice was not in my plans - yes, I said MY plans!  But, He used that notice - that ending of one phase of my life - to put into place HIS plans!  And, as I look at that life now, I realize that notice was the best thing that could have happened to me!  For now, I am retired (on disability - approved the with the very first application!) and my days are flexible...I have had a few ups and downs getting adjusted to that life-style, and being home with hubby more often; but I do have my hobbies and can help more at church and be available to help my daughters and the grandsons, and to spend time with them!  And that is certainly worth having gone through that notice and the end of my career...

No, that notice may have halted a part of my life; but it didn't halt my LIFE or the plans that He has for the remainder of my days.  I pray I can use those days to glorify Him!

16 comments:

  1. Stopping by via FMF, great perspective on what I am sure was a challenging time. I needed this reminder that He has it all under His loving and Sovereign control and is working for our good!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! It WAS a challenging time; and putting everything into one five minute post was even more challenging! A lot happened around that time - yet, here I am! Much better off, thanks to HIM and his love and care!

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  2. Praise God for flexible schedules, wide-open days, and answered prayers! He knew what was happening all along, yes?

    Blessings, Barbara! It's good to see you again!

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting! It IS/WAS a blessing!! And once things were put into motion and started playing out for me/us - well, I realized I didn't have to be upset over losing a JOB...so much more could be written about that time period; maybe a future post?! Blessings to YOU - and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. 9 years ago i was attacked and it changes my life so much. I had to give up my choosen career and was so lost. God had different plans better plans and like yourself I have had to adjust, learn to listen to my body and face my disability. Yet now years on i see the blessings in the change. It wasn;t my lifes plan but it was God's. Not easy though, sending love as i visit from #fmfparty

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    1. Thank you, Sara - for reading and commenting - but mostly for sharing your experience...I am so sorry to hear that you were attacked 9 years ago! It does get easier, but we never forget...it was 16 years ago that I was attacked - inside the church where I was working at the time - perhaps if you wish to share with someone else who has "been there", you could PM me on Facebook?! Here is the link for my blog FB page; https://www.facebook.com/barbarasblogjourney. You may have moved on and that is wonderful! I have many pages I wrote about my experience; haven't decided if I want to share them on here or not! Blessings to you; and I pray you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  4. Ah yes, the dreaded pink slip. It is never really in our plans, right? I mean - if we leave we want to do it on our terms... praying for you as you transition into this new normal and yay for more flexible (less bossy) days! Visiting from fmf tonight!

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    1. It was somewhat expected; but I think the manager had it in for me...but, I don't dwell on that anymore! It never is in our plans; but it WAS in God's plans! I did find something that I could do seasonally - tax preparation! - but have decided to not do them this year; too much going on! Maybe next year! Blessings to you; have a Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  5. That dreaded pink slip is never fun. But God indeed had plans in store for you. It makes me think of the Jeremiah verse "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord plans to prosper and not harm you." Thanks for being brave and sharing your story my friend!

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    1. No, Tara! The pink slip is never fun; but as the time goes beyond that time, I realize that God did have plans in store for me - and I LOVE that Jeremiah verse...there was a time I had it posted in my car on a sticky note! Funny what comes into our minds when we read a word for FMF!! Notice...yep, pink slip! And God's amazing plans for our lives! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  6. Stopping by from FMF and appreciated you writing this. We are in a season at my house wondering why it has seemed God has led us down a certain path only to unexpectedly have the door closed on us. Trusting that He has something better for us.

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    1. Yes, Amanda! "When God closes a door"..he opens a window or a better door or whatever because He knows what is best for you! Praying (and trusting) with you that something better comes along soon! Thank you for stopping by and sharing! Hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgivng...In ALL things, give thanks!

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  7. Barbara, I wrote about the same thing! Great minds, eh? God always has a plan for us even when we think things look so bleak! Happy to visit with you today.

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    1. Susan, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment; I've been out all morning and haven't read many of the FMF; but will catch up later...another busy weekend; but am excited to read yours!! God does always have a plan for us...but it's hard to remember that when we are IN it!

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  8. Oh Barbara, I so needed to read this today - that life can throw things at us that are unexpected but that life goes on, despite it, and, as you say, your life can actually be better despite the unexpected change. I'm slowly coming round to the idea that I have a need to trust Him.....that He knows where He's taking me (us).....

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    1. Just trust Him Helen...He will definitely NOT steer you wrong - even if it IS an unexpected change, He will work it out to the GOOD for you all!!! Thanks for reading and commenting!

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Thank you for stopping by to read my post today! I appreciate your reading and commenting - your comments are a welcome encouragement for me to continue one of my favorite things - writing!

You are special to me; and your words help in more ways than I can number...Thank you just isn't enough!