Starting Over

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

This week marked 3 years since I returned to my birthplace in Kansas. 

I had lived in Michigan 23 years -- my husband, Ricky, and I raised our sons there. 

But when he died 8 years ago, the challenges multiplied. Among those was my ability to find full time work after being downsized from a reporting job. I was barely making it with 2, sometimes 3 part time jobs, and there was no surplus. I cringed at the thought of an emergency because I had no safety net. I could no longer afford our house in the suburbs. We lost it in foreclosure. 

I prayed and cried...I was grateful to have food and a nice townhouse (subsidized housing) walking distance from my son's school. Yet full time work eluded me. I applied for anything and everything and could not get an interview. What was wrong with me? Did I no longer have marketable skills? I had a Masters degree, for goodness sake! 

Something in me knew I was destined for more.

But more than that, I was a Believer. I had a knowing in my heart that my Heavenly Father had more for His daughter than this. 

At my mother's suggestion to return to Kansas, I applied for a job at the local university and was hired.

So I gave away the furniture, packed my Buick, and by faith, headed to Kansas.  

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for hearing and answering my prayers for a new start. I pray for anyone reading this who is going through major life transitions, and for You to assure them that You are their help. Thank You for affirming me and my skills. I am nothing without you, but can do all things in and through You (Philippians 4:13). In the name of Jesus, Amen.