Thursday, March 27, 2008

Pink Slip!

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Yesterday at the Toolbox Meeting at Wayne's workplace, he was informed that everyone would be receiving a layoff notice with their pay-stubs this Friday. Plus, there is no overtime available until further notice.

Apparently the demand for products that Wayne's workplace manufactures has hit an all-time low and there is only enough work to keep everyone busy for about a month-and-a-half. But, because they don't know what orders may come in within the next month, an official layoff date has not yet been determined.

Fifteen percent of the existing employees will not be laid off. Seniority has no bearing on the boss's decision about who goes and who stays. Thankfully, Wayne has an excellent work ethic and is good at what he does. He is also responsible with his time and always makes up for hours he misses, even if it means making up 30 hours for one week of lost work due to illness (he recently did this). So, there's a strong possibility that Wayne may be in the 15% of employees who get to stay.

There are some employees who are welcoming the layoff. They want to spend the summer at the lake, so they're just going to collect employment insurance and not even seek other work. Wayne is not one of them. And he is not concerned about any of this at all.

Meanwhile, there's me. I worry. I worry a lot. But at the same time, I must admit that since the events at the end of last month with me taking a plunge of faith and quitting my job, I have gained a new perspective on how God really does "work things out". I believe this impending layoff for Wayne is actually a test for me. A test to stretch my faith further.

Obviously, the fact that I have my new job is helping to ease my anxiety. However, my wage is nowhere near what Wayne makes as a welder, and I honestly do not want to hold the responsibility of being the primary income-earner in our household, so long as Wayne is capable of holding down a job.

Wayne has already informed me that if he does receive a "real" layoff notice sometime in the weeks ahead, he will look for another job to tide us over in the meantime. I am so fortunate to have such a dependable husband. And fortunately for us, work in his field is not hard to come by.

So, despite the potential of Wayne losing his job, all is well. However, I would appreciate your prayers as we deal with the uncertainty of everything right now. God knows what lies ahead and we are doing our best to trust Him.

Even in the midst of this news about Wayne's job, I feel extremely blessed right now. Blessing upon blessing has been poured out upon us and I just marvel at how God truly has predestined each and every part of our life . . . each moment of our day.

I've been meaning to do this for a while now, and today seems to be just as good a time as any, to share with you the blessings I've been granted in the last while (some of them have always been there; but I'm going to state the obvious because sometimes it's not so obvious to me because I can get so caught up in other aspects of life I just ignore the blessings). So, in no particular order, these are some of my blessings:

~My old job. Even though I struggled to be there, it provided us with supplemental income for six months. I learned some new skills and I definitely don't take that for granted.
~My new job. Three months ago I wouldn't have expected to be starting a full-time job at the school. It is a dream-come-true.
~The hours at my new job work out perfectly alongside the boys' school schedule.
~The boys get to travel with me instead of taking the bus. They don't mind the bus, but there have been some issues in the last while that haven't been dealt with properly.
~The last month of resting and re-energizing and learning about the love of my Father in Heaven; He has lavished His grace upon me.
~My beautiful house and yard. We waited 11 years for this place . . . it was well worth it.
~My amazing boys. They are healthy, strong and smart.
~Music. I've become enamored with Chris Tomlin's music and get a healthy does of it every day.
~A reliable vehicle. You do not know how relieved I am to get behind the wheel of a vehicle that actually starts each time I try.
~My extended family. We are growing and it's so exciting to see! My family is such a huge support system to me and I appreciate each one of them for the uniqueness that they bring to the clan.
~My husband. He never seems to tire of me, which I personally find unbelievable. I fall in love with him more and more each day.
~The Easter season. God's grace is truly amazing.
~My friends, both near and far.
~Material blessings. There seems to be an endless supply.
~Books.
~Food: both the type I need and the type I indulge in.
~My pets.
~My blogging friends. You brighten up my days!
~My faith. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. And I do not take that for granted.

My list could go on and on. I encourage you to think about your blessings. It will help put life's valleys into better perspective.


CLARIFICATION:!:! (added Friday, March 28/08)
After speaking with my husband more on the subject of his potential layoff after he got home from work late last night, he informed me that 85% of the employees will be staying . . . not going. So, that means 15% of them actually have to go. I'm even less concerned about all of this now.

3 comments:

Stacey said...

seriously, when i first started reading this, i was so stressed for you! then your feelings about it all calmed me too!

great perspective!

Jennifer said...

Will be praying for your situation. "But all things work together for the Love of God." The Lord is in control of all things.
I found you through Christian Woman online.
Jennifer @ Keepers of the home jm.

The Walker Family said...

Can't beat the support and love of a good man, even better when he loves and serves God! My prayers go up for both of you as God uses this to show more of his love and blessing on you.